Microfluidic bead trap as a visual bar for quantitative detection of oligonucleotides

Lab Chip. 2017 Sep 26;17(19):3240-3245. doi: 10.1039/c7lc00836h.

Abstract

We demonstrate a microfluidic bead trap capable of forming a dipstick-type bar visible to the naked eye for simple and quantitative detection of oligonucleotides. We use magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) that are connected and form MMPs-targets-PMPs when target oligonucleotides are present, leaving free PMPs with a number inversely proportional to the amount of targets. Using a capillary flow-driven microfluidic circuitry consisting of a magnetic separator to remove the MMPs-targets-PMPs, the free PMPs can be trapped at the narrowing nozzle downstream, forming a visual bar quantifiable based on the length of PMP accumulation. Such a power-free and instrument-free platform enables a limit of detection at 13 fmol (0.65 nM in 20 μl, S/N = 3) of oligonucleotides and is compatible with single-nucleotide polymorphisms and operation in a complex bio-fluid. Moreover, using DNAzyme as the target oligonucleotide that catalyzes a specific hydrolytic cleavage in the presence of lead ions, we demonstrate a model application that detects lead ions with a limit of detection of 12.2 nM (2.5 μg l-1), providing quantitative and visual detection of lead contamination at resource-limited sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Catalytic / analysis
  • DNA, Catalytic / chemistry
  • DNA, Catalytic / metabolism
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Lead / analysis
  • Limit of Detection
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Microspheres*
  • Models, Biological
  • Oligonucleotides / analysis*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Substances

  • DNA, Catalytic
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Lead