Sensitive detection using microfluidics technology of single cell PCR products from high and low abundance IgH VDJ templates in multiple myeloma

Miniaturization applied to analysis of nucleic acids in heterogeneous tissues

Despite huge efforts in sample analysis, the measurement of marker nucleic acids within tissues remains largely nonquantitative. Gene analyses have benefited from sensitivity gains through in vitro gene amplification, including PCR. However, whilst these processes are intrinsically suited to highly reproducible, accurate and precise gene measurement, the term semiquantitative analysis is still commonly used, suggesting that other fundamental limitations preclude a generic quantitative basis to gene analysis. The most poorly defined aspect of gene analysis relates to the sample itself. The amount of cells and, particularly, cell subtype composition are rarely annotated before analysis; indeed, they are often extrapolated after analysis. To advance our understanding of pathogenesis, assay formats will benefit from resembling the dimensions of the cell, to assist in the analysis of cellular components of tissue complexes. This review is partly a perspective on how current miniaturization technologies, in association with molecular biology, microfluidics and surface chemistries, may evolve from the parts of a paradigm to enable the unambiguous quantitative analysis of complex biologic matter.

Microfabrication and applications of opto-microfluidic sensors

A review of research activities on opto-microfluidic sensors carried out by the research groups in Canada is presented. After a brief introduction of this exciting research field, detailed discussion is focused on different techniques for the fabrication of opto-microfluidic sensors, and various applications of these devices for bioanalysis, chemical detection, and optical measurement. Our current research on femtosecond laser microfabrication of optofluidic devices is introduced and some experimental results are elaborated. The research on opto-microfluidics provides highly sensitive opto-microfluidic sensors for practical applications with significant advantages of portability, efficiency, sensitivity, versatility, and low cost.

Toward a Simplified Microfluidic Device for Ultra-Fast Genetic Analysis with Sample-In/Answer-Out Capability: Application to T-Cell Lymphoma Diagnosis

If microfluidic devices capable of rapid genetic analysis are to affect clinical diagnostics, they ultimately must be capable of carrying out more than ultra-rapid electrophoretic separations. The last half decade has seen a groundswell of activity in defining miniaturized DNA sample preparation methodologies that can be integrated with chip-based electrophoretic separations. Successfull integration of PCR-based DNA amplification and solid-phase DNA sets the stage for integrated microminiaturized analytical systems with sample in-answer out capabilities. Here we provide a brief review of the state of the art on the microfluidic integration of sample preparation processes with discussion of several systems with highly integrated capabilities, including one capable of detection of infectious agents present in complex biofluids in less than 30 min. This overview is used as a launch point to discuss the design and functionality of similar devices capable of accepting a whole blood or fine-needle aspirate sample, purifying the DNA, amplifying target sequences of the T-cell receptor-γ gene, and eletrophoretically resolving the products for detection of a signature consistent with monoclonality. We describe the details of the early experimental success in defining the individual chip-based processes required for an integrated T-cell lymphoma chip, with a vision to a device that provide sample in-answer out capabilities for diagnosing certain blood cancers in roughly 1 h.

Future challenges

Treatment for patients with myeloma has changed unrecognisably over the last two decades and now includes a sequence of treatments including chemotherapy, biological targeted therapy with or without consideration for high-dose therapy (autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation for younger and fit patients). As patients can now expect a doubling of median survival and a 20-30% chance of surviving longer than 10 years, the focus of treatment is shifting to long-term quality of life. This article focuses on future challenges facing clinicians treating myeloma and how best we may optimize our resources.

Microfluidic chips for detecting the t(4;14) translocation and monitoring disease during treatment using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of IgH-MMSET hybrid transcripts

Diagnosis platforms incorporating low-cost microfluidic chips enable sensitive, rapid, and accurate genetic analysis that could facilitate customized therapies tailored to match the vulnerabilities of any types of cancer. Using ex vivo cancer cells, we have detected the unique molecular signature and a chromosomal translocation in multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is characterized by IgH rearrangements and translocations that enable unequivocal identification of malignant cells, detected here with integrated microfluidic chips incorporating genetic amplification via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis. On microfluidic chips, we demonstrated accurate and versatile detection of molecular signatures in individual cancer cells, with value for monitoring response to therapy, detecting residual cancer cells that mediate relapse, and evaluating prognosis. Thus, testing for two clinically important molecular biomarkers, the IgH VDJ signature and hybrid transcripts signaling the t(4;14) chro-mosomal translocation, with predictive value in diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring has been efficiently implemented on a miniaturized microfluidic system.

Analysis of single mammalian cells on-chip

A goal of modern biology is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular function. The ability to manipulate and analyze single cells is crucial for this task. The advent of microengineering is providing biologists with unprecedented opportunities for cell handling and investigation on a cell-by-cell basis. For this reason, lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies are emerging as the next revolution in tools for biological discovery. In the current discussion, we seek to summarize the state of the art for conventional technologies in use by biologists for the analysis of single, mammalian cells, and then compare LOC devices engineered for these same single-cell studies. While a review of the technical progress is included, a major goal is to present the view point of the practicing biologist and the advances that might increase adoption by these individuals. The LOC field is expanding rapidly, and we have focused on areas of broad interest to the biology community where the technology is sufficiently far advanced to contemplate near-term application in biological experimentation. Focus areas to be covered include flow cytometry, electrophoretic analysis of cell contents, fluorescent-indicator-based analyses, cells as small volume reactors, control of the cellular microenvironment, and single-cell PCR.

Ten years and counting: so what do we know about t(4;14)(p16;q32) multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a genetically heterogenous disease with a wide variety of characterized genetic aberrations. Until recently, the impact of these aberrations on patient outcome was not known. However, in the last 5-10 years, several genetic markers have been linked to patient outcome. One of the strongest predictors of outcome identified to date is t(4;14)(p16;q32). Although this translocation is tightly linked to chromosome 13 deletions, another poor prognosis marker, it is becoming apparent that the translocation and not the deletion of 13 is the important factor. Unfortunately, despite the known association with outcome, an understanding of the mechanism(s) whereby the translocation contributes to developing and maintaining this aggressive form of myeloma remains elusive.

Automated screening using microfluidic chip-based PCR and product detection to assess risk of BK virus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients

The cost-effective detection of viral particles in bodily fluids could enable more effective responses to viral outbreaks, whether isolated clinical cases, or influenza epidemics. In renal transplant recipients, complications arising from high levels of BK virus can lead to graft dysfunction, graft loss, and/or reduced patient survival. We describe a microfluidic system for the sensitive analysis of BK virus (viral load) in unprocessed urine samples that are applied directly onto the chip, thus avoiding labor-intensive processing and sources of inter-assay variability. Integration of small volume genetic amplification (PCR) and electrophoretic analysis detects as few as 1-2 viral copies, distinguishes between high, medium and low levels of virus and reliably identifies viral loads requiring clinical intervention. As a first step to wider application in the clinic and in the field, the present work presents an entirely microchip-based system, validated against conventional clinical methods using clinical samples.

An adaptable microvalving system for on-chip polymerase chain reactions

On-chip genetic analysis systems are beginning to provide a viable alternative to conventional gene profiling and amplification devices, through minimal reagent use, high detection resolution, and the potential for high-throughput parallel testing of the genetic material, even from single cells. Despite the advantages, there are many difficulties inherent in creating an integrated microfluidic diagnostic platform. One major challenge is the accurate control and manipulation of fluid, and particularly the immobilization of reaction mixtures during heating phases of polymerase chain reactions (PCR). In this paper we present a pumping and valving system based on the use of three servomotor-controlled valve fingers that actuate microchannels within a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluidic chip. We characterize the valving ability of the system in terms of fluid loss and show the successful fluid retention of the system over 35-cycle PCR runs at temperatures of up to approximately 96 degrees C. In addition, we demonstrate the system's ability to perform PCR by successfully amplifying a sample of beta2 microglobulin transcript obtained from the peripheral blood of a patient with multiple myeloma. This work has proven to be a successful approach to multi-use valving and a viable method of alleviating the fluid control difficulties inherent in performing a PCR reaction in an on-chip environment. In addition, it opens the door for further automation and integration with other chip-based genetic analysis platforms.