Handheld Real-Time PCR Device

Abstract

Here we report one of the smallest real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system up to date with approximate size of 100 mm × 60 mm × 33 mm. The system is an autonomous unit requiring an external 12 V power supply. Four simultaneous reactions are performed in form of virtual reaction chambers (VRC) where a 200 nL sample is covered with mineral oil and placed on a glass cover slip. Fast, 40 cycle amplification of an amplicon from the H7N9 gene was used to demonstrate PCR performance. The standard curve slope was (-3.02 ± 0.16) cycles at threshold per decade (mean ± standard deviation) corresponding to an amplification efficiency of (0.91 ± 0.05) per cycle (mean ± standard deviation). The PCR device was capable of detecting a single deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copy. These results further suggest that our handheld PCR device may have broad, technologically-relevant applications extending to rapid detection of infectious diseases in small clinics.Here we report one of the smallest real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system up to date with approximate size of 100 mm × 60 mm × 33 mm. The system is an autonomous unit requiring an external 12 V power supply. Four simultaneous reactions are performed in form of virtual reaction chambers (VRC) where a 200 nL sample is covered with mineral oil and placed on a glass cover slip. Fast, 40 cycle amplification of an amplicon from the H7N9 gene was used to demonstrate PCR performance. The standard curve slope was (-3.02 ± 0.16) cycles at threshold per decade (mean ± standard deviation) corresponding to an amplification efficiency of (0.91 ± 0.05) per cycle (mean ± standard deviation). The PCR device was capable of detecting a single deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copy. These results further suggest that our handheld PCR device may have broad, technologically-relevant applications extending to rapid detection of infectious diseases in small clinics.