Chip Thermocyclers

Schneegass, I., Brautigam, R., Kohler, J.M., Miniaturized flow-through PCR with different template types in a silicon chip thermocycler Labchip 2001, 1, 42-49. 

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Fig. 4 Example of a silicon chip thermocycler (IPHT Jena, Germany) microlithogra-phically patterned thin-film transducers at the back side above) and liquid chambers and air chambers for heat transfer control at the front side below)... 

The principle of flow-through PCR can further be miniaturized and optimized with respect to heat transfer conditions by realizing flow-through chip thermocyclers [11, 12]. These are devices... 

Schneegafi I, Kohler JM (2001) Flow-through polymerase chain reactimis in chip thermocyclers. Rev Mol Biotechnol 82 101—121... 

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Rgure 5 Principle of construction of a flowthrough chip thermocycler... 

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful method for DNA amplification (i), which is routinely used for detection and analysis of DNA. Many commercial thermocyclers employ a Peltier chip (2-4), which is a solid-state technology that can be used for heating or cooling. Peltier systems are widespread and provide a... 

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Fig. 2 Principal molecular processes of PCR during thermocycling... 

Microtechnology offers two different strategies for Lab-on-a-Chip PCR. The first is the stationary concept. This concept corresponds to the classic thermocycler. The core element is a miniaturized chamber for PCR liquid equipped with heaters and temperature sensors (Fig. 4). Fast PCR is realized by fast heating and cooling the whole system. The maximum process rate is mainly determined by the ratio of heating and cooling power to the heat capacity of chamber... 

A big additional advantage of flow-through processes in comparison with stationary processes consists in the possibility of implementation of process chains (Fig. 7). In this way, complete microanalytical systems can be designed [13]. They can include sample pretreatment like cell separation, cell lysis, or chemical separation. Reverse transcription processes can be directly ctamected on-chip with the DNA amplification by thermocycling (RT-PCR). The analytical chain can also include post-amplification steps like fluorescence labeling, separation by capillary electrophoresis, or hybridization on DNA chips. 

PCR Lab-on-Chip devices are microfluidic instruments for the biochemical amplification of DNA by thermocycling using the poljunerase chain reaction at the microscale. 

El-Ali, J., I.R. Perch Nielsen, C.R. Poulsen, D.D Bang, P. Telleman and Anders Wolff (2004). Simulation and experimental validation of a SU-8 based PCR thermocycler chip with integrated heaters and temperature sensor. Sensors and Actuators A-Physical, 110 p. 3-10. 

Temperature control during PCR thermocycling, enzymatic cleanup, and minisequencing is achieved by means of active heaters and temperature sensors integrated in the platform underneath the chip, one heater for each chamber. A heat-sink under the heaters ensures fast cooling and that heat does not leak from one chamber to the other. The system utilizes resistive heating with integrated thermometers. Computer-controlled feedback ensures a stable temperature... 

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