Method development for the detection of microorganisms

Abstract

Immunological-based and nucleic acid-based methods have been developed for rapid and sensitive detection of pathogenic cells and virus. Microfluidic filter chips were designed and fabricated for the immunofluorescent detection of protozoa cells and viruses. Extremely high labeling efficiency and rapid detection were achieved in comparison with standard immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods performed on glass slides.A dielectrophoresis chip was developed for cell lysis and DNA extraction. Further DNA analysis was carried out using a novel temperature control device that was able to generate spatial temperature gradient in capillary electrophoresis. It was possible to perform simultaneous DNA heteroduplex analysis for various mutation types that have different melting temperatures.