Development of a miniaturized fully automated system for integrated nucleic acid analysis of sputum

Intention of the joint project was to generate a new MDX system (Molecular Diagnostic System) which allows performing complex molecular diagnostic process steps with a cost-efficient lab-on-a-chip system

An integrated lab on a chip system was developed which allows performing all diagnostic process steps – preparation, amplification, and detection – for pathogen analysis of respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal samples. Parallel development of disposable analysis chip and corresponding instrument led to a cost-efficient LOC-system which can be adapted to identify various infectious diseases and therefore will allow opening completely new markets for in-vitro diagnostics.

Starting with swab samples the device prepares total nucleic acids using magnetic silica beads. By reverse transcription followed by QIAplex PCR technology the purified virus RNA is amplified. Hybridised to corresponding QIAGEN LiquiChip Beads and labelled with streptavidin-R-phycoerythrin the target sequences are transferred for analysis into a QIAGEN LiquiChip 200 workstation via tube connection. The new device combines several unique solutions, among them a novel magnetic separation principle, the “on-chip” nested multiplex amplification, and the internal processing and amplification controls. The core of the device is a construction based on rotating heating bars that allows for fast cycling times (heating and cooling rates of up to 3.5 K/s). All enzymatic reagents and primer/probes are provided in a freeze-dried format on chip.

The functionality was proven by the direct comparison of samples processed manually vs. automatically using the “ResPlex Panel II” for detection of respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal samples. First results were promising and showed an excellent basis for further development.

Contact: Dr. Klaus Stefan Drese, Director Research and Development,
Phone: +49 6131/990 170

Project data sheet