| dc.description.abstract | This project focuses on developing the amplification part of a user-friendly Lab-on-a-disc device for isothermal nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) of pathogens. The device is specifically designed for individuals with minimal training.
The device that this project has developed consists of a disc with multiple fluidic chips, a heating element, a PID controller, a motor, and several gears. The device is called lab-on-a-disc hereafter. The fluid flow in the microfluidic chip is driven by centrifugal forces, generated by rotation. The lab-on-a-disc is made of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by molding technique. All steps were done here at the IMS lab.
The molds for the PDMS replica process were 3D-printed using a Prusa I3 MK3S+ printer. The fluidic chips are 3D structured, and made of 100% PDMS, eliminating the need for expensive substrates such as glass or Silicon wafers, as well as eliminating the need for bonding process.
The lab-on-a-disc successfully performed the amplification of RNA of SARS-CoV-2 based on the Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method and qualitative detection by fluorescence spectroscopy. Using the lab-on-a-disc, SARS-CoV-2 ssRNA could be detected within one-hour.
This research is funded NOK 20 000 by the Centre for Sustainable Transitions, USN and NOK 6 485 from a Ph. D project for developing a complete LOC device for genetic detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza, supervised also by Assoc. Prof. Bao Quoc Ta. | |
