The beauty of accelerating the development of new technology of DNA replication using LED lamp

[LED] China network at the University of California at Berkeley biological engineers developed a new technology, the use of LED light source on / off to improve the heating or cooling the DNA samples of speed, in order to reduce the experimental cost and the speed increase several times.

"The photoelectric PCR system is a fast, sharp and inexpensive method of testing," said Professor Lee, a senior professor of bioengineering and Professor Luke, of the study. It can be combined with the ultra fast genome detection chip, which can make the PCR system develop practical use in the medical field. Because this technique can provide real-time glucose results, we can use it in a variety of environments, whether in rural Africa or in a hospital emergency room."

The photoelectric PCR rapidly heats and cools the electrons on the gold thin layer, making genetic copies within minutes (source: Luke, Lee, s, BioPOETS, lab)

According to a study published in July 31 "Light: Science & Application" journal shows that the temperature control technology of ultrafast, greatly expanded polymerase chain reaction (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) clinical research and application of the test, the original more than one hour of detection time, greatly reduced to just a few minutes.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test by single copy DNA sequences, making copies of thousands to millions, from the study of forensic analysis and copy to a paternity test, this technology has become an important part of the application of genetics. PCR tests are mostly used for preliminary diagnosis of genetic and infectious diseases, and for the simultaneous analysis of DNA samples of ancient mummies and mammoths.

In 1993, researchers found Kelly? (Kary Mullis) and muhlis Michael? Smith (Michael Smith) the PCR test has a major breakthrough, the contribution of modern science, which won the Nobel prize for sure.

The use of LED, California University of Berkeley researchers in thin gold interface electron heating and DNA solution. They calculate the rate at which the heating solution is about 12.7 degrees Celsius per second. When cool down, it can reach an amazing speed of 6.6 degrees Celsius per second.

"PCR is a very useful and widely used test in the medical world, but the existing PCR testing systems are relatively time consuming," says Luke Lee, a professor of bioengineering and a senior researcher with the study. Considering that traditional heaters are expensive and expensive, they are usually tested in a laboratory. Since the whole process takes about an hour, it is not suitable for real-time glucose detection. Our system can test results in a matter of minutes."

Ultrafast photoelectric PCR testing uses LED lights to copy genetic samples on thin gold surfaces (Photography: Jun, Ho, Son)

The traditional PCR test takes time to heat and cool the DNA solution too long. PCR testing requires repeated changes in temperature - - between three temperature points - to repeat 30 cycles on average - to replicate the sequence of genes. This process involves the disassembly of the DNA sequence of the double smelting, and combines the single refining with its corresponding chain. With each cycle of heating and cooling, the number of DNA samples will double.

To increase the rate of temperature cycling, Professor Lee and his team used the principle of plasmonic optics (plasmonics), or the so-called interaction of light with electrons on the metal surface. When the light is received, the free electrons become active and begin to vibrate, producing heat. Once the light is cut, the vibration and heat disappear.

Gold is the hot metal interface for the plasmonic optical electron heating because of its light absorption efficiency. In addition, its added value is that it can be implanted in biological systems and therefore can be used in biomedical engineering applications. In the study, the researchers used 120 nanometers of gold thin layer, roughly the width of a rabies virus. Gold is placed on a microchannel chip to load the PCR mixture and the DNA sample.

The light source is a ready - to - use LED light placed under the PCR chip. The LED light is adjusted to the highest radiation efficiency with a maximum radiation of 450 nm. The researchers were able to repeat the entire cycle 30 times in 5 minutes, from 55 degrees Celsius to 95 degrees celsius. They tested the efficiency of the photoelectric PCR system replicating sample DNA and found the results superior to the traditional PCR test.

The lead researcher in the study, Jun Ho Son, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Lee professor's research office in Berkeley. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? And the South Korean National Research Foundation sponsored the study.

From this study, we can foresee the combination of LED and biotechnology, and expect more and more in the future, not just plant lighting and medical lighting. (translation / Chinese LED net Emmachang)

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