PID Temperature Control System-Based Microfluidic PCR Chip for Genetic Analysis

A microfluidic device based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for genetic diagnostics was designed and fabricated. The continuous-flow microfluidic PCR system was integrated with two heating blocks to increase the temperature in each zone (denaturation, annealing, and extension). To maintain a constant temperature, heat transfer was controlled by a temperature controller system while receiving real-time feedback of a thermocouple attached to the microchannel. The DNA amplification was evaluated by fluorescence imaging through agarose gel electrophoresis. The developed continuous-flow microfluidic PCR chip provides reliable amplification of the target DNA with a real-time system controller while maintaining the temperature.