Open AccessLab-on-a-Drone: Toward Pinpoint Deployment of Smartphone-Enabled Nucleic Acid-Based Diagnostics for Mobile Health Care
Author(s) -
Aashish Priye,
Season Wong,
Yuanpeng Bi,
Miguel Ángel Carpio,
Jamison Chang,
Mauricio Coen,
Danielle Cope,
Jacob Harris,
James H. Johnson,
Alexandra Keller,
Richard Lim,
ShiEn Lu,
Alex Millard,
Adriano B. Pangelinan,
Neal Patel,
Luke Smith,
Kamfai Chan,
Victor M. Ugaz
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
analytical chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.117
H-Index - 332
eISSN - 1520-6882
pISSN - 0003-2700
DOI - 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b04153
Subject(s) - drone , quadcopter , software deployment , computer science , mobile device , embedded system , real time computing , computer hardware , engineering , aerospace engineering , operating system , genetics , biology
We introduce a portable biochemical analysis platform for rapid field deployment of nucleic acid-based diagnostics using consumer-class quadcopter drones. This approach exploits the ability to isothermally perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a single heater, enabling the system to be operated using standard 5 V USB sources that power mobile devices (via battery, solar, or hand crank action). Time-resolved fluorescence detection and quantification is achieved using a smartphone camera and integrated image analysis app. Standard sample preparation is enabled by leveraging the drone's motors as centrifuges via 3D printed snap-on attachments. These advancements make it possible to build a complete DNA/RNA analysis system at a cost of ∼$50 ($US). Our instrument is rugged and versatile, enabling pinpoint deployment of sophisticated diagnostics to distributed field sites. This capability is demonstrated by successful in-flight replication of Staphylococcus aureus and λ-phage DNA targets in under 20 min. The ability to perform rapid in-flight assays with smartphone connectivity eliminates delays between sample collection and analysis so that test results can be delivered in minutes, suggesting new possibilities for drone-based systems to function in broader and more sophisticated roles beyond cargo transport and imaging.