Integration of sample preparation and analysis into an optofluidic chip for multi-target disease detection

• Published in: Lab on a chip Vol. 18; no. 23; pp. 3678 - 3686
• Main Authors: Meena, Gopikrishnan G, Jain, Aadhar, Parks, Joshua W, Stambaugh, Alexandra, Patterson, Jean L, Hawkins, Aaron R, Schmidt, Holger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 07.12.2018
• Subjects: Biological properties; Biomarkers; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Fluorescence; Labeling; Proteins; Sensitivity analysis; Target detection; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 1473-0197; 1473-0189
• DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00966j

Detection of molecular biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity from biological samples requires both sophisticated sample preparation and subsequent analysis. These tasks are often carried out on separate platforms which increases required sample volumes and the risk of errors, sample loss, and contamination. Here, we present an optofluidic platform which combines an optical detection section with single nucleic acid strand sensitivity, and a sample processing unit capable of on-chip, specific extraction and labeling of nucleic acid and protein targets in complex biological matrices. First, on-chip labeling and detection of individual lambda DNA molecules down to concentrations of 8 fM is demonstrated. Subsequently, we demonstrate the simultaneous capture, fluorescence tagging and detection of both Zika specific nucleic acid and NS-1 protein targets in both buffer and human serum. We show that the dual DNA and protein assay allows for successful differentiation and diagnosis of Zika against cross-reacting species like dengue.