A lab-in-a-tube microarray system is developed for sample inspection and signal detection by fabricating a flat transparent window cap of the Eppendorf tube. The oli- gonucleotide microarray is immobilized on the inner surface of the cap. A small vessel is placed in an Eppendorf tube for storing hybridization solutions. With the microarray system, the full biochemical processes, including gene fragment am- plification, fluorescence labeling, hybridization, and fluores- cence detection, have been performed in the sealed tube without opening the cap. The images are obtained from a fluorescence microscope and captured by a CCD, and the data are transported to a computer through the universal serial bus (USB). After noise reduction, signal intensity is deter- mined from hybridization image and the presence of gene fragments is identified. The final data output includes sample information, process steps, and hybridization results. A lab-in- a-tube microarray system for detecting ten respiratory vi- ruses at a single detection is designed. High detection throug- hput and accuracy have been demonstrated with the system.
LIU Quanjun ZHOU Qin BAI Yunfei GE Qinyu LU Zuhong
