Scientists from Singapore report the development of a faster, less expensive, and more efficient electronic sensor for DNA trace detection tests. Such tests are done in police investigations, detection of genetic diseases and more
Scientists from Singapore report the development of a faster, less expensive, and more efficient electronic sensor for DNA trace detection tests. Such tests are done in police investigations, diagnosis of diseases and for other purposes. The new "lab on a chip" sensor can optimize DNA tests. According to the researchers. The findings will be published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in September.
In the study, Ziqiang Gao and his colleagues claim that the current method for detecting DNA requires the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which "amplicates" or reproduces traces of DNA, in order to locate the genetic material more easily. This process is very expensive, cumbersome, and imprecise.
The researchers describe the development as a "nano-gap sensor", which overcomes these obstacles. In the process, a pair of microscopic metal electrodes are used, between which there is a nanometer gap the size of 0.00002 the diameter of a human hair, in combination with special chemical probes in order to capture the tiny components of the DNA. The small "electrical circuit" translates the presence of DNA into an electrical signal for the computer to measure it. In laboratory tests, the sensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity in detecting traces of human DNA. The researchers say that in the future the sensor may completely eliminate the need for DNA amplification.
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Countless researchers and inventors have already claimed that they are going to replace the PCR, but for now it seems that it will take some time.
As of today, PCR and the technologies derived from it are considered the standard and hold more than half of the nucleic acid diagnostics market.
Human DNA can be found everywhere. The question is, can the new technology determine the origin of the DNA found at the scene? Who is the person who left her?
Human DNA can be found almost anywhere on the globe, the question is what is its origin? Who is the man who left it in the arena? Does the modern method answer this question?
How much is 0.00002 the diameter of a human hair? From what origin? And what shampoo and conditioner does he use?
It seems to me that these things somewhat affect the diameter of the hair. As well as where do you measure, at the tip or near the root? Is the hair blonde or devilish? And if blonde, then natural or dyed?
In short, how much is 0.00002 the diameter of a human hair?