Scalable, modular, integrated genetic analysis systems
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Abstract
This thesis addresses the need for inexpensive microfluidic platforms by contributing to the collaborative development of a modularised, integrated system capable of molecular diagnostics using bead-based sample preparation, polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis analysis techniques. Although the entire system is briefly presented here, the primary focus of this project had three central goals: contribution to the system architecture through the sole development of in-house, modular software and firmware-software interface protocol; verification of the system’s capabilities through extensive testing and strict characterisation of its performance; and, the identification of challenges associated with the characterised system and discussion of possible or implemented solutions. With a total component cost of less than $1000, this sytem has optical sensitivity comparable to traditional electrophoretic analysis methods, the ability to amplify from a few molecules, and represents a significant advancement for the use of lab-on-a-chip technologies in point of care applications.