Miniaturized DNA Sequencer for Identification of Microbial Pathogens

说明书(申请人提供)：用于微生物病原体鉴定的微型DNA测序仪。本项目的目标是开发一种紧凑而廉价的DNA测序仪，该测序仪基于液滴数字微流控盒上的合成测序化学的实现。建议的装置将能够使用一个廉价的一次性盒和一台紧凑而简单的设备来对10‘S到100’S的碱基对进行测序。该试剂盒还将整合包括DNA扩增在内的样品准备能力，使非专业人员能够广泛使用，并以低成本提供快速和可靠的结果。这项技术的初步应用将是微生物病原体鉴定。这样做的理由是，即使是几十个碱基对也可以提供对微生物病原体的区分，而临床和医学上确实需要一种能够快速、自动和低成本地进行这种类型的分析的仪器。作为概念验证，将在第一阶段开发一个原型系统，并将进行评估，以评估原型识别一组临床相关酵母和霉菌的能力。 与公共卫生相关：将开发和测试一种紧凑和廉价的仪器，对少量DNA进行测序，以识别微生物病原体。拟议的仪器将提高临床医生诊断和治疗传染病的能力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Miniaturized DNA Sequencer for Identification of Microbial Pathogens Abstract. The goal of this project is develop a compact and inexpensive DNA sequencer based on the implementation of sequencing-by-synthesis chemistry on a droplet-based digital microfluidic cartridge. The proposed device would be capable of sequencing 10's to 100's of base pairs using an inexpensive disposable cartridge and a compact and simple piece of equipment. The cartridge will also integrate sample preparation capability, including DNA amplification, to enable widespread use by non-specialists and provide rapid and reliable results at low cost. The initial application for this technology will be microbial pathogen identification. The rationale for this is that even a few tens of base pairs can provide discrimination of microbial pathogens while there is a genuine clinical and medical need for an instrument that can perform this type of analysis rapidly, automatically, and at low cost. As a proof of concept, a prototype system will be developed in Phase I and an evaluation will be performed to assess the ability of the prototype to identify a set of clinically relevant yeasts and moulds. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: A compact and inexpensive instrument to sequence small amounts of DNA for the purpose of identifying microbial pathogens will be developed and tested. The proposed instrument would improve the ability of clinicians to diagnose and treat infectious diseases.