Showing papers by "Michael G. Pollack published in 2010"
TL;DR: A versatile digital microfluidic platform for multiplexed real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR) that reliably detected diagnostic DNA levels of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Candida albicans and was consistently repeatable across multiple PCR loops both within and between cartridges.
Abstract: This paper details the development of a digital microfluidic platform for multiplexed real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Liquid samples in discrete droplet format are programmably manipulated upon an electrode array by the use of electrowetting. Rapid PCR thermocycling is performed in a closed-loop flow-through format where for each cycle the reaction droplets are cyclically transported between different temperature zones within an oil-filled cartridge. The cartridge is fabricated using low-cost printed-circuit-board technology and is intended to be a single-use disposable device. The PCR system exhibited remarkable amplification efficiency of 94.7%. To test its potential application in infectious diseases, this novel PCR system reliably detected diagnostic DNA levels of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Amplification of genomic DNA samples was consistently repeatable across multiple PCR loops both within and between cartridges. In ad...
268 citations
Patent•
17 Feb 2010TL;DR: In this article, a droplet actuator drive is described, which includes a detection apparatus for sensing a property of a single droplet on a single actuator; circuitry for controlling the detection apparatus electronically coupled to the detection equipment; and/or a means for coupling the actuator circuitry to a processor.
Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator drive. In certain embodiments, the droplet actuator drive may include a detection apparatus for sensing a property of a droplet on a droplet actuator; circuitry for controlling the detection apparatus electronically coupled to the detection apparatus; a droplet actuator cartridge connector; circuitry for controlling a droplet actuator coupled to the droplet actuator connector; and/or a means for coupling the droplet actuator circuitry to a processor. Systems, kits and methods of conducting assays are also provided.
71 citations
TL;DR: A novel microfluidic real-time PCR platform (Advanced Liquid Logic, Research Triangle Park, NC) that is rapid, portable, and fully automated is evaluated that offers an inexpensive and convenient diagnostic test for microbial DNA.
70 citations
Patent•
13 Aug 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a droplet actuator was used for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence using digital microfluidics, including droplet-actuated sample preparation and SNP analysis.
Abstract: The invention is directed to certain droplet actuated molecular techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator methods for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and SNP analysis. In another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for providing integrated sample preparation and multiplexed detection of an infectious agent, such as HIV. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and techniques for PCR amplification and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and target nucleic acid analysis. In yet another embodiment the invention provides methods for performing hot-start PCR on a droplet actuator. In yet another embodiment, the method of the invention combines PCR amplification with pyrosequencing to investigate specific sequences.
62 citations
Patent•
15 Apr 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a single droplet actuator is described. But the method is not suitable for splitting droplets, as it requires the droplet to be positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.
Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.
60 citations
Patent•
08 Nov 2010TL;DR: In this paper, a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes are presented.
Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel. In one embodiment, an electrophoresis gel may be integrated on the top substrate of the droplet actuator.
42 citations
Patent•
25 Jan 2010TL;DR: In this article, the authors present methods of making and using the droplet actuator including one or more substrates configured to form a droplet operations gap and including a physical or chemical feature that may be provided at a predetermined locus within or exposed to the gap and configured to retain a bubble in position within the gap.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a droplet actuator and methods of making and using the droplet actuator including one or more substrates configured to form a droplet operations gap and including a physical or chemical feature that may be provided at a predetermined locus within or exposed to the droplet operations gap and configured to retain a bubble in position within the droplet operations gap.
39 citations
TL;DR: These results conflict with those of other studies in which corn oil was used to show that low fat diets delay prostate cancer growth, suggesting that fat type may be as important as fat amount in the prostate cancer setting.
17 citations
Patent•
25 Jan 2010TL;DR: In this article, the authors present methods of making and using the droplet actuator including one or more substrates configured to form a droplet operations gap and including a physical or chemical feature that may be provided at a predetermined locus within or exposed to the gap and configured to retain a bubble in position within the gap.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a droplet actuator and methods of making and using the droplet actuator including one or more substrates configured to form a droplet operations gap and including a physical or chemical feature that may be provided at a predetermined locus within or exposed to the droplet operations gap and configured to retain a bubble in position within the droplet operations gap.
4 citations