Sensitive and quantitative DNA detection by beads-based dielectrophoretic impedance measurement

We proposed that a rapid detection method of DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using dielectrophoresis (DEP) of microbeads. This electrical method measures the impedance change of the DEP trapped microbeads on which target DNA molecules are chemically attached. The method realizes easy and rapid DNA detection after conventional PCR. In this study, it was demonstrated that quantitative and high sensitivity detection of virus genome using the method as comparing with real-time PCR. Real-time PCR detects target DNA sensitive and quantitative by real-time monitoring of DNA amplification. As the results, the DNA detection method using microbeads DEP showed the same detection limit as the real-time PCR, and demonstrated the quantitative detection in the range of 101 to 105 copies/reaction. Our new method can realize inexpensive and rapid PCR-based viral detection by combined with conventional PCR.