Browsing by Author "Maybery, G. H. C."
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- ItemDesign and fabrication of an on-chip PCR device(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Maybery, G. H. C.; Perold, W. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An investigation into microfluidic-based PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction devices was conducted. A continous-flow serpentine-channel device was fabricated. Channels were etched on a Poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA substrate using CO2 laser ablation and channels with dimensions 150 x 150µm were obtained. A PMMA lid was bonded via thermal-assisted solvent bonding using Isopropanol. An in-house external connection schema was fabricated for fluid inlet and outlet ports and pressure driven flow was achieved using a benchtop syringe pump. Notable amplification of a 250bp ( NisinA fragment was achieved within 30 minutes, a final concentration of 1.5 µg/L was detected. The relationship between flow rates, temperature zone residency times and amplification efficiency was examined. This device serves as a proof-ofconcept for two purposes, to show that fabrication of microfluidic devices can be accomplished in low-tech lab spaces and to provide a roadmap towards the design of a fully-portable, low cost PCR device.