Miniaturized PCR chips for nucleic acid amplification and analysis: latest advances and future trends

Zhang, Chunsun; Xing, Da

Urine samples from renal transplant patients (43) cross contamination between samples is difficult to avoid. Second, fully integrated PCR chips are difficult to make. Many PCR chips can only perform the DNA/RNA amplification. The development of the highly integrated PCR chips is limited by complicated design and fabricating process. Third, the product detection methods have not advanced as rapidly as other aspects of chip development. Most of the PCR chips still utilize the conventional gel electrophoresis techniques to detect the products. With the decrease in PCR volume, detecting the products by this technique becomes a challenge. Fourth, intellectual property issues, which may limit the ability to combine different technologies in a single system have yet to be fully explored. Finally, when PCR chips become widely used clinically, ethical issues such as genetically-ally-based employment discrimination will become more urgent and protection legislation will need to be considered.