Domestic researchers have succeeded in localizing digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing equipment components, which are attracting attention as a next-generation genetic diagnostic technology, and are expected to reduce the production cost of PCR equipment by more than half.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 3rd that it has developed a core technology for a water droplet fluorescence reader used in digital PCR testing equipment.

This technology can be commercialized immediately as it can replace existing components of digital PCR molecular diagnostic devices on the market.

The research team used optical fibers to replace expensive optical components such as lenses and optical filters, drastically reducing the cost of the components by half.

The accuracy of PCR testing was also improved by improving signal quality at the measurement and detection stages.

The research team is expected to increase the technological competitiveness of PCR equipment and accelerate its distribution in the field by localizing key components of digital PCR testing equipment that had previously been dependent on imports.

ETRI's digital PCR testing equipment creates 20,000 2nl (nanolite) microdroplets of a sample and goes through a genetic amplification process.

A laser is applied to the droplets in which the genes have been amplified. Because it detects using a fluorescence measurement method, it can produce diagnostic results much more precisely than general PCR testing equipment even when the gene concentration is low.

Digital PCR testing equipment consists of a droplet generator, temperature control device, and droplet fluorescence reader, enabling gene segmentation, amplification, and detection with a single device.

The water droplet fluorescence reader developed by ETRI uses an optofluidic integrated module that integrates the fluid channel through which the water droplets move and the components required for fluorescence measurement.

The development of new optical fiber-based modules replaces expensive conventional optical filters and lenses.

By utilizing integrated modules, we have also improved signal quality and reduced production time.

We have reliably changed the complex layout design by reducing parts and solved the problem of signal noise caused by light interference.

The existing manual optical alignment process has also been automated to shorten manufacturing time.

ETRI Diagnostic and Therapeutic Device Research Lab Principal Researcher Kim Jin-tae said, “If this technology is applied to existing digital PCR testing equipment, it will be possible to conduct on-site testing for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and MERS more precisely and quickly, allowing for early control of the spread of infectious diseases. It can also be applied to various biosensor testing equipment, which is expected to have a significant effect on activating the market and increasing employment.”