Development of a Microfluidic Assay for in Vitro Transcription of Immobilized DNA Template

Microfluidic chips are emerging as relatively quick and efficient means by which diseases can be detected. This research focuses on the development of a microfluidic assay for the in vitro transcription of a DNA template immobilized on microbeads. Surfactants of different charges and concentrations were tested to determine which were the most successful in preventing DNA coated magnetic microbeads from adhering to glass. In addition, the concept of using bovine serum albumin (BSA) to prevent glass surface interactions was explored. It was determined that coating a glass surface with BSA is the most effective at preventing glass surface interactions with DNA. However, coating a microchannel with BSA within the context of a microchip could prove to be complicated and costly. Thus, the utilization of high concentrations of BSA as a dynamic surfactant is also being explored using a PDMS chip designed to test ideal microchip conditions to inhibit glass surface interactions with DNA.