Miniature RT-PCR systems integrated with a sample pretreatment device for virus detection

This paper presents a new chip-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) system integrated with a sample pretreatment device for fast DNA amplification and diagnosis of RNA- based viruses. A new two-way serpentine-shape (S- shape) pneumatic micropump and a magnetic bio- separator were developed for purification and enrichment of viruses. The target RNA-based virus would be bound onto the antibody-conjugated superparamagnetic beads, followed by collection and purification processes utilizing the on-chip bio- separator composed of microcoils. The new bio- separator/microreactor was designed for sample enrichment and bio-reaction. Then, the enriched target viruses can be used to perform fast nucleic acid amplification automatically in the RT-PCR chamber. The developed system may provide a powerful platform for sample pretreatment and fast diseases diagnosis.