Development and characterization of a microheater array device for real-time DNA mutation detection

DNA analysis, specifically single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection, is becoming increasingly important in rapid diagnostics and disease detection. Temperature is often controlled to help speed reaction rates and perform melting of hybridized oligonucleotides. The difference in melting temperatures, Tm, between wild-type and SNP sequences, respectively, to a given probe oligonucleotide, is indicative of the specificity of the reaction. We have characterized Tm's in solution and on a solid substrate of three sequences from known mutations associated with Cystic Fibrosis. Taking advantage of Tm differences, a microheater array device was designed to enable individual temperature control of up to 18 specific hybridization events. The device was fabricated at Sandia National Laboratories using surface micromachining techniques. The microheaters have been characterized using an IR camera at Sandia and show individual temperature control with minimal thermal cross talk. Development of the device as a real-time DNA detection platform, including surface chemistry and associated microfluidics, is described.