Solar-thermally driven PCR for power-free diagnostics

The utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is significantly reduced in resource-limited settings partly due to high energy costs associated with thermal cycling. We introduce a solar-powered PCR technique in which sunlight is used to create a specific thermal profile compatible with PCR. We show preliminary results in which genomic DNA extracted from Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus is amplified. We also characterize the on-chip temperatures under different external temperatures to demonstrate its potential usability over a range of ambient conditions. By circumventing traditional power requirements, solar-powered PCR could help make PCR technology widely available in the developing world.