Genotyping Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Primary Sputum and Decontaminated Sediment with an Integrated Microfluidic Amplification Microarray Test.

There is a growing awareness that molecular diagnostics for detect-to-treat applications will soon need a highly multiplexed mutation detection and identification capability. In this study, we converted an open-amplicon microarray hybridization test for multidrug-resistant (MDR) into an entirely closed-amplicon consumable (an amplification microarray) and evaluated its performance with matched sputum and sediment extracts. Reproducible genotyping (the limit of detection) was achieved with ∼25 genomes (100 fg of DNA) per reaction; the estimated shelf life of the test was at least 18 months when it was stored at 4°C.

A plastic, disposable microfluidic flow cell for coupled on-chip PCR and microarray detection of infectious agents.

Clinical laboratories are recognizing the importance of implementing sensitive and specific molecular diagnostic tests. However, widespread adoption of these tests requires simplified workflows without requiring expensive supporting instrumentation. To enable microarray-based analysis to meet these requirements, we describe a valveless flow cell for disposable use that supports PCR coupled with microarray hybridization in the same chamber.