서강대학교

초록 (요약문)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a very widely useful technology to amplify the amount of target genes. For example, at diagnosis of epidemic like Covid-19, extracted suspected patients' DNA in nasopharyngeal smear is amplified to judge the infection. However, the conventional PCR methods are very expensive, not suitable for point-of care testing (POCT) and need the experts to manipulate the professional equipment. So, Lab-on a chip (LOC) has become a core technology to minimize the cost and size of the analytical devices. Specially, paper-based analytical devices are noteworthy to overcome the shortcomings of conventional PCR devices. Here, we report the new fabricated disposable, low-cost, printing and paper-based PCR device to amplify the target genes. The conductive silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) patterns which have the role to move the PCR components in discrete liquid state, to heat the PCR sample and sense the temperature were printed on photopaper by inkjet printing. Also, unlike the general microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μ-PAD) were coated the Parylene-based material as dielectric layer using Chemical vaporization deposition (CVD), we fabricated the Polysulfone (PSU) as dielectric layer of Electrowetting-on dielectric (EWOD) device by using spin-coater. This new method is the lower price than Parylene-based microfluidic devices about 250 times as materials price and reduced the time of the coating process. If this new printed, low-cost, and portable PCR device is possible, we can send the patients’ results of PCR to doctors via the portable device like smartphone and smart watch.