PCR Miniaturization
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Personnel Ron Davis |
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Our overall goal is to revolutionize the way PCR reactions are performed. We will create a single, integrated platform where PCR primers are synthesized in tandem, and PCR amplification is initiated by the release of the PCR primers, and progress of the PCR reactions is monitored in Real-Time. Furthermore, such reactions will be multiplexed in a high-throughput device with sub-microliter reaction volumes, and will allow at least 1536 PCR reactions to be performed and monitored in parallel. Advances in microfluidic technologies, combined with advances in silicon materials technology, make it possible for RT-PCR to be miniaturized with enormous cost reductions and throughput increases
Impact/Significance
- Reduction in PCR volume while increasing the density of reactions.
- Real-Time monitoring of each PCR reaction
- Direct synthesis of primers in PCR chambers, reducing liquid handling
Accomplishments
- Fabrication of prototype array with silicon etching techniques
- Preliminary validation of PCR reactions in sub-microliter volumes
- Incorporate liquid transfer device and parallel sorting capability, and perform DNA synthesis on nanoparticles.
- Identification of format for real-time monitoring
