Optical approach for microfluidic DNA electrophoresis detection
First Claim
1. A DNA analyzer, comprising:
- an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer, wherein the microfluidic chip includes;
a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, the DNA fragments being tagged with fluorescent labels; and
a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments, the second domain having a separation channel for electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments; and
a detection module optically coupled with the microfluidic chip that includes;
a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;
a set of optical elements configured to direct the laser beam to the separation channel to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence while the DNA fragments migrate in the separation channel, and to collect the emitted fluorescence into an optical signal;
a filter module configured to filter the optical signal to allow a first portion of the optical signal having a first wavelength to pass; and
a photo-detector configured to generate an electrical detection signal in response to the filtered optical signal.
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Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to facilitate an integrated single-chip DNA analysis. The DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments and perform electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments. The DNA fragments are tagged with fluorescent labels. The DNA analyzer includes a detection module to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence and detect the emitted fluorescence. The detection module includes a laser source, a set of optical elements, a filter module and a photo-detector.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A DNA analyzer, comprising:
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an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer, wherein the microfluidic chip includes; a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, the DNA fragments being tagged with fluorescent labels; and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments, the second domain having a separation channel for electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments; and a detection module optically coupled with the microfluidic chip that includes; a laser source configured to generate a laser beam; a set of optical elements configured to direct the laser beam to the separation channel to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence while the DNA fragments migrate in the separation channel, and to collect the emitted fluorescence into an optical signal; a filter module configured to filter the optical signal to allow a first portion of the optical signal having a first wavelength to pass; and a photo-detector configured to generate an electrical detection signal in response to the filtered optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of DNA analysis, comprising:
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selecting a first wavelength corresponding to a first fluorescent label used to label DNA fragments during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification in a first domain of a microfluidic chip, the DNA fragments having been fluidically directed from the first domain to a second domain of the microfluidic chip having a separation channel for electrophoretic separation; exciting at least the first fluorescent label to emit fluorescence in the second domain; and tuning a detection module to detect the emitted fluorescence having the first wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A DNA analyzer, comprising:
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an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer, wherein the microfluidic chip includes; a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, the DNA fragments being tagged with fluorescent labels; and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments, the second domain having a separation channel for electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments; a detection module optically coupled with the microfluidic chip that includes; a laser source configured to generate a laser beam; a passive optics module including passive units that are pre-configured to receive the laser beam and transmit the laser beam; and an active optics module including at least an active unit to focus the laser beam to the separation channel to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence while the DNA fragments migrate in the separation channel, and to collect the emitted fluorescence from the separation channel into an optical signal for return, wherein the passive optics module includes; a filter module configured to filter the optical signal to allow a first portion of the optical signal having a first wavelength to pass; and a photo-detector configured to generate an electrical detection signal in response to filtered optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification