The most widely used technology for nucleic acid-based molecular diagnosis is a real-time PCR based fluorescence optics, which has been widely used in the diagnosis of COVID-19, showing its high accuracy and usefulness. However, at the same time, it also revealed its limitations, requiring expensive dedicated equipment for fluorescence monitoring due to its bulky and complex optics. The need to design dye-labeled probes is also burdensome. To overcome this, we design a portable and economical point-of-care device that electrochemically analyze the change of ionic composition during the PCR amplification process. In this study, a design to insert a pair of electrodes into a PCR tube was devised, and the effect of electrode material on PCR was investigated. Using precision 3D printing, a guide coupled to the PCR tube was designed to prevent evaporation caused by gaps around the electrode and to facilitate the insertion of the electrode. To enhance the impedance signal during PCR, buffer composition was tested and optimized. The developed biosensor system will enable a portable and inexpensive detection system that does not require fluorescent probes for various infectious diseases.

PCR tube-mounted electrochemical biosensor for infectious disease diagnosis

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ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.