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Imagine a biochemical laboratory with pipes, test tubes, reactors, pumps and valves; then imagine reagents and substances being manipulated and activated simply by pointing at them with a small laser. Then to complete the picture – imagine that the laboratory is the size of a stamp. That is in essence what our technology is all about.
"Speed is the enabling factor"
As an indication of the speed with which we will be able to perform an identification of a specific genetic sequence - we are able to lyse human blood in 5 seconds, whereafter we are able to perform succesful PCR amplification in 8 minutes (35 cycles, CYP2C19*2)
Components
We use a medium powered laser-diode, a well-established component used in CD-R/W disk drives, and we position the beam at – respectively scan it along – microfluidic channels and reservoirs. By this action we can instigate two-way pumping, heating, mixing, sonication etc., all the basic functions involved in performing a biochemical reaction.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Arthur C. Clarke
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