An integrated slidable and valveless microdevice with solid phase extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and immunochromatographic strip parts for multiplex colorimetric pathogen detection

A total integrated genetic analysis microsystem was developed, which consisted of solid phase extraction (SPE), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunochromatographic strip (ICS) parts for multiplex colorimetric detection of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli O157: H7 (E. coli O157: H7) on a portable genetic analyzer. Utilizing a slidable chamber, which is a movable glass wafer, complex microvalves could be eliminated for fluidic control in the microchannel, which could simplify the chip design and chip operation. The integrated slidable microdevice was composed of 4 layers: a 4-point Pt/Ti resistance temperature detector (RTD) wafer, a micro-patterned channel wafer, a 2 mu L volume slidable chamber, and an ICS. The entire process from the DNA extraction in the SPE chamber to the detection of the target gene expression by the ICS was serially performed by simply sliding the slidable chamber from one part to another functional part. The total process for multiplex pathogenic S. aureus and E. coli O157: H7 detection on the integrated slidable microdevice was accomplished within 55 min with a detection limit of 5 cells. Furthermore, spiked bacteria samples in milk were also successfully analysed on the portable genetic analysis microsystem with sample-in-answer-out capability. The proposed total integrated microsystem is adequate for point-of-care DNA testing in that no microvalves and complex tubing systems are required due to the use of the slidable chamber and the bulky and expensive fluorescence or electro-chemical detectors are not necessary due to the ICS based colorimetric detection.