We introduced two new designs to create a machine that would allow to the PCR machine to be more portable and reduce the need for external equipment besides the machine itself.
We introduced two new designs to create a machine that would allow to the PCR machine to be more portable and reduce the need for external equipment besides the machine itself.
Our re-design is based upon the Open PCR system originally designed by Josh Perfetto and Tito Jankowski.
System Design Open PCR Gen 2
Key Features
We introduced two new designs to create a machine that would allow to the PCR machine to be more portable and reduce the need for external equipment besides the machine itself.
The first of the two features is a better performing LCD screen with attached four analog buttons on the bottom of screen that allow for the programmer to program the machine and eliminate the need of a computer to program. The four analog buttons will include: Increase, Decrease, Temp/Time, Start/Stop/Restart. These buttons will allow the programmer to prepare a PCR experiment sequence without the use of external equipment, such as a computer equipped with PCR software. These buttons will be placed directly below the LCD screen, so that they can be easily accessible and usable.
The second of the two features includes a new internal PCR Board, which is configured with the new LCD screen. Since the programmer will now be able to change the program on the machine itself, the internal PCR Board will have to be modified to allow the program to be stored and set in the PCR Board. The changes that need to be taken with this equipment are to wire the buttons from the LCD screen to the PCR Board, so that the inputs by the user can be recognized by the system and the PCR board will also need a new program implemented into the system that can understand the user inputs as well. With these small design changes, we will eliminate the reliance on other technologies to operate the machine and increase its overall mobility.
Instructions
To add these design changes, first, the previous LCD screen would need to be removed and new space must be cut out for the larger screen with attached buttons, underneath the LCD screen space that is already there. Second, the wiring for the new screen must be taken care of for the user's inputs to be read. So, we must attach the new screen to the previous cable attaching the previous LCD screen and create wiring that connects the four buttons to the new PCR board. Thirdly, we must take out the PCR board and install the modified PCR board using previous mounting spots, allowing for the program to be set and stored in the internal memory of the new PCR board. Remembering to install the new wiring with both the new LCD screen and the analog buttons, we can reassemble machine and test for operating efficiency.
Protocols
Materials
Supplied in the kit
Material
Amount
Open PCR Machine
1
Mircopipette
1
Sets of PCR Tubes (containing 6 individual tubes)
8 (replaced as needed by user)
Reagent*
1000μL
Electrical cord
1
Fluorimeter
1
Glass slides
supplied as needed
Black box
1
Phone holder
1
Reagent*
Volume
Template DNA (20 ng)
0.2 μL
10 μM Forward Primer
1.0μL
10 μM Reverse Primer
1.0μL
GoTaq master mix
50μL
dH2O
47.8 μL
Total Volume
100.0 μL
Supplied by user
Material
Amount
DNA samples
supplied as needed
USB
1
Assembly tools
1 set
Smartphone
1
PCR Protocol
Steps to Run PCR
Connect the PCR machine to the computer.
Open the 'OpenPCR' program on the computer.
Label the tubes. This information should include the patient number (1 or 2) or control (+ or -), as well as the replication number (1, 2, or 3).
Prepare the experiment by inserting the reactants into the PCR tubes. These tubes will consist of the patients DNA, along with the other provided mixing components*. After filling each tube, put it into the chamber at the top of the machine.
Close and tighten the lid of the chamber.
Customize the settings in the 'Thermal Cycler' program to include three stages: Stage 1 - one cycle that will heat the reactants up to 95 degrees Celsius for three minutes, Stage 2 - 35 cycles that will heat the reactants to 95 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds, 57 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds, and 72 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds.
Press start on the program to begin running the PCR.
Collect and record data at the completion of the trial.
DNA Measurement Protocol
Fluorimeter Assembly
Place a glass slide on the device.
Using a pipette, add two drops of water to the slide.
Turn on the blue LED light, and adjust the slide so that the light shines directly through the center of the water drop.
Adjust the camera settings on a smartphone as follows:
Turn off the flash
Set exposure to the highest setting
Set saturation to the highest setting
Set contrast to the lowest setting
Place the smartphone on the phone holder and position it in front the of fluorimeter device.
Cover the entire setup with a black box in order to create as dark of an environment as possible.
Take a picture with the smartphone. For best results, set the camera timer on the smartphone in order to be able to take a picture with the box completely closed.
How to Open Pictures Using Image J
Using the smartphone, email the images to someone in the group with a computer.
From the computer, open the email and download the images.
In Image J, go to file, open, and then select the desired picture.
How to Analyze Pictures in Image J
With the desired picture open, go to analyze, set measurements, and select Area Integrated Density and Mean Grey Value.
Go to image, color, and then split screen.
In the green channel, use the oval tool to draw an oval around the water drop.
Go to analyze, measure, and save the results as an Excel file.
To get background measurements, draw a similar-sized oval somewhere in the background. Then, go to analyze, measure, and save the results as an Excel file.
Research and Development
Background on Disease Markers
1) Emphysema is a lung disease; it causes damage to the small air sacs, alveoli, and small airways in your lungs. This damage obstructs airflow when a patient with Emphysema exhales. “Most emphysema cases are caused by smoking, but about 3 percent of cases are caused by an inherited deficiency in a protein that normally protects the alveoli.” This protein is alpha-1 antitrypsin[1]. Moreover, Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity due to the action of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
The marker that is being used is rs709932[2].This SNP is associated with Emphysema due to AAT deficiency. The sequence associated with Emphysema due to AAT deficiency is C(A)T , while a normal sequence is C(G)T, which is located on the 14 chromosome. The gene alteration leads to a mutated human protein. It goes from R[Arg] to H[His].
Emphysema due to AAT deficiency
rs709932
Missense CGT→CAT
R[Arg]→H[His]
Chromosome 14
2) Hemophilia A is an inherited disease that is considered to be a rare blood disorder. It is the most common type of hemophilia. Patients with Hemophilia A suffer longer bleeding and thus, it can damage their tissues and organs. “It is also known as factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia.” Sometimes this disease may lead to death. Patients don’t clot normally because a protein needed to form blood clot is missing or reduced. “Approximately one in 5,000 males born in the United States has hemophilia." [3].
The marker that is being used is rs137852466 [4]. This SNP is associated with Hemophilia A. The sequence associated with Hemophilia A is C(G)C , while a normal sequence is C(A)C, which is located on the X chromosome.The gene alteration leads to a mutated human protein. It goes from R[Arg] to H[His].
Hemophilia A
rs137852466
Missense CGC→CAC
R[Arg]→H[His]
Chromosome X
Primer Design
1.) Forward primer:5" TTGGCCTCTTCGGTGTCCCC 3" ( at position 75849051 )
Reverse primer: 5" GAACTCCTCC[C]TACCCTCAA 3"
BME 103 Fall 2012
