Authors:

Grace O Jos

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About Paper:

As one of the Nucleic Acid Amplification Technologies (NAATs), loop- mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an increasingly used assay for early diagnosis of viruses. LAMP allows for faster analysis of genetic material than traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and has been successfully used in the detection of pathogenic diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). LAMP operates at a constant temperature, significantly reducing both cost and time to result, while PCR requires expensive thermocycling equipment and longer processing times due to the thermal cycling required for denaturing DNA in each cycle. However, as a key performance index, the sensitivity and the reaction rate should be improved to become a gold standard for disease diagnostics. In this project, we designed and developed a microfluidic platform optimized for LAMP reactions, aiming to enhance the sensitivity of LAMP. Our microfluidic integrates a resistive microheater, fabricated on an ITO-covered glass and powered via low-voltage DC input, to maintain a stable isothermal temperature of 65°C, which is required for the LAMP reaction. A 3D-printed chamber mitigates evaporation while a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate fixes the reaction droplet, enabling on-chip amplification and potential real-time detection. Compared to standard benchtop LAMP or PCR systems, our device reduces reagent consumption, accelerates reaction time, and enhances portability for point-of-care (POC) use. Preliminary tests demonstrate reproducible amplification with reduced volume. Integration with optical detection methods is in progress to enable real-time monitoring and enhanced signal clarity. This work demonstrates a promising step toward scalable, low-cost diagnostics, especially in resource-limited settings, with future integration potential for colorimetric or fluorescence-based readout systems. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; LAMP; NAATs; Microfluidics

Source:

Purdue University / 2025

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Co-authors:

Grace O Jos