A novel combined capillary chip for rapid identification of gene mutation

To develop a simple micro-platform for gene mutation detection, we used a DNA hybridization approach in a combined microchannel. A glass groove immobilized with oligonucleotide probes by UV-crosslinking, and encased in a transparent heat-shrinkable polythene tube. After heat treatment, the polythene tube stretched tightly over the glass groove and was designated as a combined capillary chip (CCC). The CCC assay was optimized with 10 μL reaction solutions shuttling back and forth at 50 μL min−1 for 10 min, give a detection minimum of 0.1 nM target DNA sequences. In hepatitis B virus (HBV) YMDD mutations detection, 61.3% (92/150) was of a single genotype and it was authenticated with sequence analysis. The other 38.7% (58/150) was mixed genotype detected, but 18.9% (11/58) has a missed diagnosis in sequence analysis. It proved a higher sensitivity than sequence analysis. The CCC assay has a simple fabricating process, simple structure and higher specificity in gene mutation detection. These features are promising for clinical gene mutation analysis.