NER: Nano-Scale Probe Array for Extraction of Genetic Material from Viruses

Purdue University, West Lafayette IN

Investigators

Abstract

Integrated biochips are promising devices for the rapid and accurate detection of biological entities such as cells, bacteria, spores, and viruses. These integrated biochips need to concentrate, trap, lyse, and perform genetic identification, all on the same device. Figure 1 shows an overall integrated biochip device that is being developed in our group. The accurate identification of these cells and microorganisms require the lysing of the cells to extract the DNA and proteins for molecular identification. DNA extraction using electrical means that are low power and integrated on to a microchip format can be very useful for realizing fully integrated bioanalytical devices. The objective of this project is to design and develop a method of extracting the genetic material from viruses within a handheld device which are low power, simple to use and compact. We will work with the Western Reserve Strain of Vaccinia Virus as the model virus as the main goal. As a stretch goal, we will perform the experiments with the Human Coronavirus