Selection of fluorescent DNA dyes for real-time LAMP with portable and simple optics.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is increasingly used for point-of-care nucleic acid based diagnostics. LAMP can be monitored in real-time by measuring the increase in fluorescence of DNA binding dyes. However, there is little information comparing the effect of various fluorescent dyes on signal to noise ratio (SNR) or threshold time (Tt). This information is critical for implementation with field deployable diagnostic tools that require small, low power consumption, robust, and inexpensive optical components with reagent saving low volume reactions. In this study, SNR and Tt during real-time LAMP was evaluated with eleven fluorescent dyes. Of all dyes tested, SYTO-82, SYTO-84, and SYTOX Orange resulted in the shortest Tt, and SYTO-81 had the widest range of working concentrations. The optimized protocol detected 10 genome copies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in less than 10 min, 10 copies of Giardia intestinalis in ~20 min, and 10 copies of Staphylococcus aureus or Salmonella enterica in less than 15 min. Results demonstrate that reaction efficiency depends on both dye type and concentration and the selected polymerase. The optimized protocol was evaluated in the Gene-Z™ device, a hand-held battery operated platform characterized via simple and low cost optics, and a multiple assay microfluidic chip with micron volume reaction wells. Compared to the more conventional intercalating dye (SYBR Green), reliable amplification was only observed in the Gene-Z™ when using higher concentrations of SYTO-81.

DNA extraction-free quantification of Dehalococcoides spp. in groundwater using a hand-held device.

Nucleic acid amplification of biomarkers is increasingly used to measure microbial activity and predict remedial performance in sites with trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Field-based genetic quantification of microorganisms associated with bioremediation may help increase accuracy that is diminished through transport and processing of groundwater samples. Sterivex cartridges and a previously undescribed mechanism for eluting biomass was used to concentrate cells. DNA extraction-free loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was monitored in real-time with a point of use device (termed Gene-Z). A detection limit of 10(5) cells L(­1) was obtained, corresponding to sensitivity between 10 to 100 genomic copies per reaction for assays targeting the Dehalococcoides spp. specific 16S rRNA gene and vcrA gene, respectively. The quantity of Dehalococcoides spp. genomic copies measured from two TCE contaminated groundwater samples with conventional means of quantification including filtration, DNA extraction, purification, and qPCR was comparable to the field ready technique. Overall, this method of measuring Dehalococcoides spp. and vcrA genes in groundwater via direct amplification without intentional DNA extraction and purification is demonstrated, which may provide a more accurate mechanism of predicting remediation rates.

A polymer microfluidic chip for quantitative detection of multiple water- and foodborne pathogens using real-time fluorogenic loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Inexpensive, portable, and easy-to-use devices for rapid detection of microbial pathogens are needed to ensure safety of water and food. In this study, a disposable polymer microfluidic chip for quantitative detection of multiple pathogens using isothermal nucleic acid amplification was developed. The chip contains an array of 15 interconnected reaction wells with dehydrated primers for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and requires only a single pipetting step for dispensing of sample. To improve robustness of loading and amplification, hydrophobic air vents and microvalves were monolithically integrated in the multi-layered structure of the chip using an inexpensive knife plotter. For quantification, LAMP was performed with a highly fluorescent DNA binding dye (SYTO-82) and the reactions monitored in real-time using a low-cost fluorescence imaging system previously developed by our group (Ahmad et al., Biomed. Microdevices 13(5), 929-937). Starting from genomic DNA mixtures, the chip was successfully evaluated for rapid analysis of multiple virulence and marker genes of Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae, enabling detection and quantification of 10-100 genomes per µl in less than 20 min. It is anticipated that the microfluidic chip, along with the real-time imaging system, may be a key enabling technology for developing inexpensive and portable systems for on-site screening of multiple pathogens relevant to food and water safety.

Gene-Z: a device for point of care genetic testing using a smartphone.

By 2012, point of care (POC) testing will constitute roughly one third of the $59 billion in vitro diagnostics market. The ability to carry out multiplexed genetic testing and wireless connectivity are emerging as key attributes of future POC devices. In this study, an inexpensive, user-friendly and compact device (termed Gene-Z) is presented for rapid quantitative detection of multiple genetic markers with high sensitivity and specificity. Using a disposable valve-less polymer microfluidic chip containing four arrays of 15 reaction wells each with dehydrated primers for isothermal amplification, the Gene-Z enables simultaneous analysis of four samples, each for multiple genetic markers in parallel, requiring only a single pipetting step per sample for dispensing. To drastically reduce the cost and size of the real-time detector necessary for quantification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was performed with a high concentration of SYTO-81, a non-inhibiting fluorescent DNA binding dye. The Gene-Z is operated using an iPod Touch, which also receives data and carries out automated analysis and reporting via a WiFi interface. This study presents data pertaining to performance of the device including sensitivity and reproducibility using genomic DNA from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, the Gene-Z represents a significant step toward truly inexpensive and compact tools for POC genetic testing.

A CCD-based fluorescence imaging system for real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based rapid and sensitive detection of waterborne pathogens on microchips.

Rapid, sensitive, and low-cost pathogen diagnostic systems are needed for early disease diagnosis and treatment, especially in resource-limited settings. This study reports a low-cost charge-coupled device (CCD)-based fluorescence imaging system for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens by isothermal gene amplification in disposable microchips. Fluorescence imaging capability of this monochromatic CCD camera is evaluated by optimizing the gain, offset, and exposure time. This imaging system is validated for 12 virulence genes of major waterborne pathogens on cyclic olefin polymer (COP) microchips, using SYTO-82 dye and real time fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification referred here as microRT(f)-LAMP. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and threshold time (Tt) of microRT(f)-LAMP assays are compared with those from a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument. Applying a CCD exposure of 5 s to 10(5) starting DNA copies of microRT(f)-LAMP assays increases the SNR by 8-fold and reduces the Tt by 9.8 min in comparison to a commercial real-time PCR instrument. Additionally, single copy level sensitivity for Campylobacter jejuni 0414 gene is obtained for microRT(f)-LAMP with a Tt of 19 min, which is half the time of the commercial real-time PCR instrument. Due to the control over the exposure time and the wide field imaging capability of CCD, this low-cost fluorescence imaging system has the potential for rapid and parallel detection of pathogenic microorganisms in high throughput microfluidic chips.

Specific magnetic bead based capture of genomic DNA from clinical samples: application to the detection of group B streptococci in vaginal/anal swabs.

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococci (GBS) are a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns. We previously developed a rapid diagnostic system for GBS detection from vaginal/anal samples obtained from pregnant women during delivery. To facilitate the adaptation of this method for point-of-care testing, we have developed a specific and efficient GBS DNA capture method that is compatible with both PCR and nonamplification detection technologies. METHODS: Superparamagnetic beads were functionalized with oligonucleotide capture probes of different lengths and used to capture GBS genomic DNA (gDNA). A rapid extraction procedure was used to provide DNA from GBS cultures or vaginal/anal samples with added GBS. Hybridization reactions consisting of functionalized beads and target DNA in 30 muL of hybridization buffer were performed for 1 h at room temperature, followed by washing and resuspension in water. Captured DNA was then detected using quantitative PCR. RESULTS: A 25-mer capture probe allowed detection of 1000 genome copies of purified GBS DNA. The ability to detect GBS was improved by use of a 50-mer (100 copies) and a 70-mer capture probe (10 copies). Detection of approximately 1250 CFU/mL was achieved for diluted GBS broth culture and for vaginal/anal swab samples with added GBS. CONCLUSION: Oligonucleotide-functionalized superparamagnetic microbeads efficiently capture GBS gDNA from both bacterial cultures and vaginal/anal samples with added GBS. Efficiency of gDNA capture increases with oligonucleotide length. This technology could be combined with sample preparation and detection technologies in a microfluidic system to allow point-of-care testing for GBS.