This dissertation presents on the development of microfluidic, solid phase DNA purification methods that rely on silica-based extraction of nucleic acids from several clinically- and forensically-relevant samples.
The research presented in this dissertation address the forensic and clinical communities’ search for ways to improve DNA analysis methods for human identification and disease diagnosis that produce more rapid, efficient, and timely results. The paper discusses the optimization of DNA purification from semen for forensic short tandem repeat (STR) amplifications, along with the evaluation of different silica solid phases, and a more complex microfluidic device is presented that fuses the on-board sample processing with electrophoretic separation/detection. The first chapter highlights the basic concepts and techniques used throughout the dissertation, with focus on DNA purification, its miniaturization and microfluidic integration with other analysis techniques; the second chapter presents the development and optimization methods for solid phase purification of DNA for clinical and forensic analysis; chapter three presents the integration of solid phase purification of DNA with PCR amplification for clinical and forensic analysis; the fourth chapter discusses the integration of sample preparation and electrophoretic analysis; chapter five presents the development of microdevice solid-phase purification utilizing dual pressure/electro-elution for concentration and enhanced recovery of DNA. The final chapter provides conclusions and recommendations for future research and practice.
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