Ultrasimple size encoded microfluidic chip for rapid simultaneous multiplex detection of DNA sequences.

Simultaneous multiplexed analysis can provide comprehensive information for disease diagnosis. However, the current multiplex methods rely on sophisticated barcode technology, which hinders its wider application. In this study, an ultrasimple size encoding method is proposed for multiplex detection using a wedge-shaped microfluidic chip. Driving by negative pressure, microparticles are naturally arranged in distinct stripes based on their sizes within the chip. This size encoding method demonstrates a high level of precision, allowing for accuracy in distinguishing 3-5 sizes of microparticles with a remarkable accuracy rate of up to 99%, even the microparticles with a size difference as small as 0.5 µm. The entire size encoding process is completed in less than 5 min, making it ultrasimple, reliable, and easy to operate. To evaluate the function of this size encoding microfluidic chip, three commonly co-infectious viruses' nucleic acid sequences (including complementary DNA sequences of HIV and HCV, and DNA sequence of HBV) are employed for multiplex detection. Results indicate that all three DNA sequences can be sensitively detected without any cross-interference. This size-encoding microfluidic chip-based multiplex detection method is simple, rapid, and high-resolution, its successful application in serum samples renders it highly promising for potential clinical promotion.

Magnetic Microbead-Based Herringbone Chip for Sensitive Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The microfluidic chip-based nucleic acid detection method significantly improves the sensitivity since it precisely controls the microfluidic flow in microchannels. Nonetheless, significant challenges still exist in improving the detection efficiency to meet the demand for rapid detection of trace substances. This work provides a novel magnetic herringbone (M-HB) structure in a microfluidic chip, and its advantage in rapid and sensitive detection is verified by taking complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detection as an example. The M-HB structure is designed based on controlling the magnetic field distribution in the micrometer scale and is formed by accumulation of magnetic microbeads (MMBs). Hence, M-HB is similar to a nanopore microstructure, which has a higher contact area and probe density. All of the above is conducive to improving sensitivity in microfluidic chips. The M-HB chip is stable and easy to form, which can linearly detect cDNA sequences of HIV quantitatively ranging from 1 to 20 nM with a detection limit of 0.073 nM. Compared to the traditional herringbone structure, this structure is easier to form and release by controlling the magnetic field, which is flexible and helps in further study. Results show that this chip can sensitively detect the cDNA sequences of HIV in blood samples, demonstrating that it is a powerful platform to rapidly and sensitively detect multiple nucleic acid-related viruses of infectious diseases.