A research team from the University of Macau (UM) has developed a fast, accurate, and convenient detection method for life-threatening parasite infection, the UM announced yesterday after the research was published in Scientific Reports under the Nature Publishing Group.
The research paper is titled “A Digital Microfluidic System for Loop- Mediated Isothermal Amplification and Sequence Specific Pathogen Detection.” The study was conducted by a multidisciplinary microfluidics research team from UM’s State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences.
This method uses isothermal DNA amplification together with specific DNA Molecular Beacon probe on a digital microfluidic chip to detect life-threatening parasite infection. In addition to obtaining fast results in 40 minutes, this method can also lower the reaction volume to one-tenth of the volume required with conventional methods.
The university added that the discrimination of non-specific amplification and lower risks of aerosol contamination also mean that this system has the potential for clinical applications. MDT/Xinhua
No Comments