Following ionic activity by electrochemistry during the polymerase chain reaction

Quantitative determination of target gene with electrical sensor

Integrating loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C(4)D), we have developed an electrical sensor for the simultaneous amplification and detection of specific sequence DNA. Using the O26-wzy gene as a model, the amount of initial target gene could be determined via the threshold time obtained by monitoring the progression of the LAMP reaction in real time. Using the optimal conditions, a detection limit of 12.5 copy/μL can be obtained within 30 min. Monitoring the LAMP reaction by C(4)D has not only all the advantages that existing electrochemical methods have, but also additional attractive features including being completely free of carryover contamination risk, high simplicity and extremely low cost. These benefits all arise from the fact that the electrodes are separated from the reaction solution, that is C(4)D is a contactless method. Hence in proof of principle, the new strategy promises a robust, simple, cost-effective and sensitive method for quantitative determination of a target gene, that is applicable either to specialized labs or at point-of-care.

Integrated biochip for label-free and real-time detection of DNA amplification by contactless impedance measurements based on interdigitated electrodes

Here, we introduce an integrated biochip which offers accurate thermal control and sensitive electrochemical detection of DNA amplification in real-time. The biochip includes a 10-μl microchamber, a temperature sensor, a heater, and a contactless impedance biosensor. A pair of interdigitated electrodes is employed as the impedance biosensor and the products of the amplification are determined directly through tracing the impedance change, without using any labels, redox indicators, or probes. Real-time monitoring of strand-displacement amplification and rolling circle amplification was successfully performed on the biochip and a detection limit of 1 nM was achieved. Amplification starting at an initial concentration of 10 nM could be discriminated from that starting at 1 nM started concentration as well as from the negative control. Since an insulation layer covers the electrodes, the electrodes are spared from erosion, hydrolysis and bubble formation on the surface, thus, ensuring a long lifetime and a high reusability of the sensor. In comparison to bench-top apparatus, our chip shows good efficiency, sensitivity, accuracy, and versatility. Our system requires only simple equipments and simple skills, and can easily be miniaturized into a micro-scale system. The system will then be suitable for a handheld portable device, which can be applied in remote areas. It covers merits such as low cost, low-power consumption, rapid response, real-time monitoring, label-free detection, and high-throughput detection.

Real-time monitoring of strand-displacement DNA amplification by a contactless electrochemical microsystem using interdigitated electrodes

This paper reports the design and implementation of a contactless conductivity detection system which combines a thermal control cell, a data processing system and an electrochemical (EC) cell for label-free isothermal nucleic acid amplification and real-time monitoring. The EC cell consists of a microchamber and interdigitated electrodes as the contactless conductivity biosensor with a cover slip as insulation. In our work, contactless EC measurements, the effects of trehalose on amplification, and chip surface treatment are investigated. With the superior performance of the biosensor, the device can detect the amount of pure DNA at concentrations less than 0.1 pg μl(-1). The EC cell, integrated with a heater and a temperature sensor, has successfully implemented nicking-based strand-displacement amplification at an initial concentration of 2.5 μM and the yields are monitored directly (dismissing the use of probes or labels) on-line. This contactless detector carries important advantages: high anti-interference capability, long detector life, high reusability and low cost. In addition, the small size, low power consumption and portability of the detection cell give the system the potential to be highly integrated for use in field service and point of care applications.