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Designing and Prototyping a Thermal Cycler for PCR Duplication
Designing and Prototyping a Thermal Cycler for PCR Duplication
Spring 2022 MAE 156B Sponsored Project
University of California, San Diego
Presented by Mo Ahmed, Haojin Chen, Ben Tang, & Cameron Yenche
Sponsored by Lonnie Adelman, iAssay
Goal of the Project
To build a modular thermally controlled chamber that supports the thermal cycling conditions of a PCR reaction within sizing and power constraints for rapid sample test results.
Constraints of the Project
5V, 800 mA
Power and communication via USB 2.0
Max dimensions: 50.8 mm x 127 mm x 50.8 mm (2” x 5” x 2”)
4°C to 95°C temperature range
+/- 0.5°C temperature accuracy
Infinite dwell time
0.5 °C/sec ramp rate
Temperature profile programmable via USB port and simple UI
Program saved in nonvolatile memory
Failsafes and error indication
Detect low or no gravity and compensate temperature accordingly
The following Deliverables were met:
Maximum dimensions of ~ 50 mm x 127 mm x 50 mm (2” x 5” x 2”)
Power and data via USB 3.1
5 V +/-10% power, up to 800mA
Dwell time per temperature step is infinite, and has 0.1 second resolution
Number of possible cycles for processing is essentially infinite
Number of temperature steps, temperature for each step, and dwell time programmable via USB 3.1 port and simple PC user interface.
Once programmed, the settings are in nonvolatile memory, and the adapter can be removed from the iAssay device for standalone operation with a cable connected to the adapter USB 3.1 port for power.
Temperature Capabilities for this project range from 18°C to 95°C which is able to conduct a full PCR reaction cycle needed for RNA/DNA Duplication.
How Does PCR Work?
PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction and is a way of duplicating DNA strands.
PCR is done in 3 Steps:
Denaturing (separate DNA strands)
Annealing (Pair Primers)
Extension (Polymerase constructs pairing strands)
The process is repeated multiple times (up to 30) so that enough DNA is duplicated.
The temperature range for a PCR reaction is anywhere from ~4-100°C
What Does iAssay Do?
What Does iAssay Do?
The iAssay® System is designed for use for Point of Care Testing (POCT) by healthcare practitioners wherever the patient is located. One device (instead of a closet full of single function readers) provides a patient test panel in minutes next to the patient, eliminating the time and cost of transporting samples to the nearest hospital for processing in hours or days.
The iAssay® System is designed for use for Point of Care Testing (POCT) by healthcare practitioners wherever the patient is located. One device (instead of a closet full of single function readers) provides a patient test panel in minutes next to the patient, eliminating the time and cost of transporting samples to the nearest hospital for processing in hours or days.
Article by 360Dx detailing iAssay's Current POC Testing and Data Collection with their current model of the Thermal Cycler for PCR Duplication.
March 17, 2022 by Neil Versel
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