PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices

PCR Lab-on-Chip devices are microfluidic instmments for the biochemical amplification of DNA by thermocycUng using the polymerase chain reaction at the microscale. 

Amplification of DNA by PCR Lab-on-Chip devices is mainly used for genotyping. In connection with a reverse transcription process using RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, this technique can also be applied for the characterization of RNA, in particular for the identification and measurement of messenger RNA. As a result, the PCR Lab-on-Chip devices can be also applied for gene expression studies. 

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

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Fig. 3 Schematic of PCR as gap bridging technology between the biomolecular and chemical worlds number of molecular species (types) and number of molecules of the same type in chemical and biological systems... 

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)... 

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Fig. 6 Microflow-through PCR in tube arrangements (a) spirallike arrangement (two-dimensional) and (b) helical arrangement (three-dimensional)... 

Further research for PCR Lab-on-Chip devices is focused on four main topics the improvement of the performance of the amplification process, the integration of new functions in PCR-based analytical chip devices, the integration of PCR in microautomated diagnostic systems, and the extension of PCR-based nucleic acid microdiagnostics to new applications. 

The very different possibilities of using information from nucleic acids for health care, drug development, environmental control, product and process safety, food control, control of trade and transport, and so on demand cost-efficient special solutions with microsystems for DNA or RNA analysis. So, further research will address a wide spectrum of different special diagnostic solutions integrating PCR Lab-on-Chip devices. The questions of universality, reusability, safety, and recyclability will become important, in future, like the questions of costs, operability, robustness, and reliability. 

Refer to the following entries within this encyclopedia for examples of applications Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Drug Delivery, Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Biodefense Applications, Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Chemical Analysis, Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Immunoassays, Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Protein Analysis, PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Integrated Micro Devices for Biological Applications, Integrated Microfluidic Systems for Medical Diagnostics. 

PCR Lab-on-Chip devices are miniaturized fluidic systems for fast DNA amplification. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biological technique for addressing and exponentially amplifying a DNA fragment. The PCR process is based on tenperature cycles with an enzymatic amplification step. It works without the use of a living cell. For PCR, a liquid mixture of an analyte... 

PCR Lab-on-Chip Devices, Figure 1 Temperature protocol for PCR with repeated thermal addressing of process steps nominal and real temperature... 

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