A fully-integrated microfluidic chip for RNA-virus detection

The study presents a new fully-integrated microfluidic chip capable of performing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Obeid et al., 2003), transportation of DNA/RNA samples, capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation and on-line detection. In the proposed device, dengue-2 RNA-virus was synthesized to complementary DNA (cDNA) and replicated using a RT-PCR module and then transported by a pneumatic micropump to CE sample reservoir. The cDNA samples were separated electrophoretically and detected by buried optical fibers. We have successfully demonstrated the detection of a RNA-virus using less time and less consumption of samples and reagents. The developed microfluidic chip could provide a powerful tool for fast disease diagnosis.