New Platform Using eLAMP 30 Degree Mie Scatter for Affordable and Efficient miR-21 Detection and Quantification

Abstract

MicroRNAs are an upcoming biomarker for screening several different diseases. MicroRNAs (miRs) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 15-27 nucleotide lengths that control gene expression during the translational level. miR-21 specifically is one of the earliest cancer detectors, targeting numerous suppressor genes associated with proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion [1]. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an isothermal nucleic acid amplification method that is rapid, sensitive, and efficient at the identification of diseases [2]. Introducing an emulsion environment within the LAMP assay creates pockets for the reaction, which during amplification, will cause a decrease in droplet size and a change in light scatter. To identify this phenomenon, it was found that a mini spectrometer and a hot plate could detect changes in the eLAMP reactions that can be quantified for a target molecule at 30 degrees. The spectrometer and the hotplate can cost upwards of 5000-6000 dollars to acquire and measure intensity changes that are not always accurate and require recalibration. There is a need for an extremely affordable and more accurate way to measure Mie scatter eLAMP, so that the field can be researched further and become more readily available for in-home testing. The light intensity can be easily measured through inexpensive materials with proper orientation and light suppression. Through a new design utilizing 30-degree Mie scatters and eLAMP, the presence of mir-21 can be detected with an Arduino, photoresistor, and LED. The heating element and vortex flow can also be created for much less than the cost of a hotplate using a PID temperature controller, fan, and Peltier Heater. Altogether, the device can run a MIE scatter eLAMP reaction and detect and quantify the presence of mir-21 for approximately 100 dollars.