Abstract
MicroRNA expression analysis is an important screening tool for the early detection of cancer. In this study, we developed two portable three-dimensional microdevices for multiple singleplex RNA expression analysis by microRNA purification and qRT-PCR as a prototype for point-of-care testing. These microdevices are composed of several types of modules termed ‘chemical IC chips’. We successfully reduced the heating area and fluorescence observation area, reduced the energy required for the reaction, and improved the portability of all systems in the devices. The purification microdevice could purify the microRNA from the sample using the FTA elute card system. The disposable reactor module mounted on both devices was easily fabricated by deforming a 100-μm-thick polypropylene film using an uncomplicated procedure. The qRT-PCR microdevice could perform reactions for samples of small volume. We purified microRNA from the HepG2 liver cancer cell line using the purification microdevice and confirmed the expression level of miR-224, which is a potential biomarker for liver cancer. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the fluorescence intensity when we performed qRT-PCR in the qRT-PCR microdevice. Therefore, the two developed microdevices show promise as a new portable tool for early cancer detection.
Highlights
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is an important concept in the medical field with two main advantages
The device is hand-held and approximately 5.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 2.5 cm high, but it can perform all of the processes required for qRT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
The film reactor has a thinner wall than a conventional PCR tube, which can improve the thermal conductivity and transparency
Summary
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is an important concept in the medical field with two main advantages. It allows rapid diagnosis, resulting in the early detection of diseases and improvement of survival rates. The specific miRNAs showing aberrant expression depend on the tissue in which the primary tumour develops[9,10] These observations indicate that miRNA expression analysis could enable cancer detection at an early phase and facilitate identification of the cancerous tissue. Show few to no symptoms, most patients will not seek medical care from specialised institutions that have such equipment available These factors restrict the types of tests performed, thereby limiting the potential for early cancer detection
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