Integrated Module for Automated DNA Extraction and Amplification

An integrated module for automated sample preparation is present in this chapter. A disposable PMMA chip, together with related instrument to manipulate the chip, was designed and fabricated. On-chip extraction was performed by twining long-chain nucleic acid molecules onto the filter paper. And the thermal cycles were then applied directly to the filter paper with DNA twined on for PCR amplification. To precisely manipulate on-chip fluidic and fully seal PCR chamber, an on-chip valve structure was designed and verified. Unlike classic pneumatic valve for glass chip, this valve requires no off-chip pneumatic components and can be simply driven by a pushing rod. And with an adjusted thermal bonding protocol, the valve structure can be simply fabricated. A LabView software was also programmed to control the fluidic and temperature of the system. With the chip, instrument and program, on-chip integrated and automated sample preparation was performed and the limit of detection was determined. The system was then applied for fast screening of congenital hearing loss gene and the results turned out satisfactorily.