Interfacial Effects Enable Droplet Actuation, Inhibition Relief, and Early Sensing of Polymerase Chain Reaction (UA15-071)

This technology is a device and associated methods that improve quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) by allowing detection of PCR amplification and quantification of initial target amount to occur at an earlier amplification cycle. This innovation is possible through the novel utilization of interfacial effects in PCR reaction droplets. Ultimately this allows for faster results and more informed medical decision-making in point-of-care settings and has potential for COVID-19 testing applications.Background:Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a method of detecting DNA amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time, rather than after the completion of the amplification reaction. qPCR is useful in point-of-care diagnosis of certain diseases and conditions. However, current qPCR methods (e.g. fluorescence detection) still require a high number of amplification cycles before detection and quantification are possible. Improvements that allow PCR detection and quantification to take place at an earlier amplification cycle take less time and enable healthcare providers to make faster decisions in point-of-care settings.Learn more at https://bit.ly/UA15-071 Anne Spieth annes@tla.arizona.edu 520-626-1577