Forensic DNA Analysis on Microfluidic Devices: A Review

Abstract

The advent of microfluidic technology for genetic analysis has begun to impact forensic science. Recent advances in microfluidic separation of short-tandem-repeat (STR) fragments has provided unprecedented potential for improving speed and efficiency of DNA typing. In addition, the analytical processes associated with sample preparation--which include cell sorting, DNA extraction, DNA quantitation, and DNA amplification--can all be integrated with the STR separation in a seamless manner. The current state of these microfluidic methods as well as their advantages and potential shortcomings are detailed. Recent advances in microfluidic device technology, as they pertain to forensic DNA typing, are discussed with a focus on the forensic community.

Purification of Nucleic Acids in Microfluidic Devices

“…Also, 50% of the extracted DNA could be eluted in the second 1 µL fraction and 35% more in the third 1 µL fraction, thus providing a DNA concentration as high as 75 ng/ µL in these reduced volumes. 30,31 Similar to Breadmore's approach, Bhattacharyya et al used a porous reversed-phase monolith in a polymeric device to immobilize the silica beads. 32 However, in this system, the monolith made no contribution to the DNA extraction, and the limited accessibility of silica particles yielded an extraction efficiency of ∼70% for the first extraction with a loading capacity of <40 ng λ-phage DNA.…”

Portable capillary-based (non-chip) capillary electrophoresis

“…Chip-based CE (chip-CE) can be utilized in proteomic analysis [41], DNA separation, including sequencing [42][43][44], fragment sizing and genotyping [45], analysis of low-molecular-weight compounds (e.g., explosive residues and warfare agents) [46], food analysis [47], and analysis of pharmaceuticals, drugs and various analytes in body fluids [48]. Despite the trend towards increasing utilization of microfluidic chips in analytical chemistry, confirmed by the steadily growing number of scientific publications focusing on microfluidic chips (Fig.…”

Design Considerations for a Micromachined Proportional Control Valve

“…Over the past decade, miniaturization of complex fluidic systems has led to many new and OPEN ACCESS potential applications, including microreactor assemblies [1], microscale chemical analysis systems [2] and medical systems such as rapid DNA sequencers [3] and drug micro-dosers [4]. However, the need for a small-volume, high-precision mass flow controller for minute fluid flows has not yet been fulfilled.…”