Universal Optical DNA Detection System for Pathogens

Description

offers an exceptionally affordable yet reliable optical DNA detection system based on isothermal techniques such as Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Much like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, LAMP is a highly sensitive method of DNA detection that creates billions of copies of a target DNA from a minute amount of sample RNA or DNA. However, unlike PCR, LAMP applies an isothermal process that does not require expensive and complex equipment, nor time consuming thermal cycling. It is a more cost-effective and rapid system. LAMP is especially ideal for rapid diagnosis of pathogens or infectious diseases, with results usually within 30 minutes and for high viral loads less than 20 minutes.The LAMPPY™ system uses an array of high powered LEDs, photodiodes and filters for real-time quantitative detection. The system can be paired with an external battery for a compact, field-deployable diagnostic instrument. Samples to be tested are first mixed with a solution of primers, enzymes, an intercalating dy and several other components. This mixture is then dispensed into standard 0.1 mL PCR tubes with flat caps, commonly known as low-profile PCR tubes. Acceptable sample volumes can be between 5–125 μL (10–30 μL recommended). OZ Optics does not provide the reagents/kits to carry out the reaction. Instead, we collaborate with companies who make these reagent/kits for specific applications and pathogens. The instrument can work with many different solution kits for different pathogens. For that rea-son we consider it to be a universal DNA/RNA detection system.The standard system utilizes an excitation diode/filter combination emitting at 450–488 nm and a filter/detector combination for 500–595 nm light. This setup is compatible with many popular fluorescent dyes, including SYTO 9, SYBR Green and EvaGreen dyes. Solution kits using these or similar dyes can work with our instrument as-is. However, if the user wants to work with different dyes that utilize different wavelengths, OZ can provide filter blocks with different filter combinations. The filter blocks can be exchanged by the user, making the instrument extremely versatile and easy to service with downtime reduced to a minimum. The instrument heating system precisely monitors and controls the sample temperature, ensuring fast ramping, temperature uniformity, and accuracy across all wells. A spring-loaded lid heater prevents condensation within the caps of the tubes for reliable results. Melt curve analysis can be performed to distinguish be-tween true and false positive results. LEDs and fluorescence acquisition will not need to pause when lid is open during an experiment as the lock-in-amplifier prevents ambient light from affecting the data. The lid button also functions as a status indicator light for the system.The accompanying software is intuitive and easy to use, providing quantitative measurements in real-time while allowing fast and easy setup of as- says, protocols, and experiments that can be saved and reused. It will automatically detect attached instruments for quick setup and can run multiple instruments simultaneousously on one computer. Temperature and optical settings can be easily changed and saved as a protocol for repeated use. Built-in self-test and self-calibration routines monitor system integrity and optical performance, keeping lab operations incident-free and eliminating the need for additional reference dyes. Real-time detection can be visualized during the run, and analysis can be performed after the run is complete. The software makes monitoring an experiment easy by showing in real-time the block and lid temperatures, the elapsed and remaining time, as well as the amplification plots, melt curve and peak, and temperature profile. Data can be exported as CSV, XML, JSON, or PNG. Standard communication is via a USB cable. Wireless communication via Wi-Fi will be offered shortly.