| Genetic analysis is not widely used for disease diagnostics as it is costly and very labour/infrastructure intensive. We believe that by employing both microelectronic and microfabrication technologies, we are able to integrate multiple functionalities into a single, manufacturable, inexpensive instrument that performs complete genetic analysis protocols. Cost reduction (i.e. instrument and reagent costs), smaller size, and higher automation (i.e. lower labour cost) will certainly pave the way for frequent use of genetic analysis for disease diagnostics.;In this work, we develop technologies and techniques to implement a low power, inexpensive genetic analysis instrument that performs extraction of genetic material (e.g. DNA) from clinical samples (e.g. blood), genetic amplification (via polymerase chain reaction, PCR) and detection/analysis based on laser induced fluorescence (LIF)-capillary electrophoresis (CE), real-time PCR (rqPCR), and melting point analysis (MPA). This project involves integration of microfluidic and micro-electronic technologies as well as molecular biology protocol adaptation. Furthermore, we develop technologies required to realize a single-use chip for genetic analysis. This chip, which is based on monolithic integration of microfluidics and microelectronics, can ultimately be mass produced using standard low-cost, high-volume microelectronic wafer fabrication equipment.;We believe that the technologies developed here, along with the molecular biology protocol adaptations, will result in a low cost portable instrument that performs genetic analysis much faster, easier, and less expensive than conventional instruments. This will certainly revolutionize the use of genetic analysis for disease diagnostics. |
