Natural convection-driven PCR apparatus and method using disposable polymer chip

A natural convection-driven polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using a natural convection-driven PCR apparatus employing a disposable polymer chip, wherein

• the PCR apparatus includes:
• a polymer chip having a plurality of channels connected together to form a loop-shaped microchannel, a sample being filled inside the channels,
• a plurality of heating metal members contacting the loop-shaped microchannel of the polymer chip and transferring heat,
• a temperature controller connected to the heating metal members to maintain the heating metal members at different temperatures,
• a plurality of heaters connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller to supply heat to the heating metal members, and
• a plurality of temperature sensors connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller, wherein
• the PCR apparatus is configured such that the sample is driven around the loop only by the natural convection generated by the heat supplied to the heating metal members;
• the loop-shaped microchannel includes a capillary stop valve disposed adjacent an outlet connection channel on a side facing an inlet connection channel to fill the channels with the sample without an air layer by stopping part of the sample introduced from the inlet connection channel by the capillary stop valve and allowing the sample filled in the microchannel and the sample stopped by the capillary stop valve to move together to the outlet connection channel;
• and
• the PCR apparatus periodically changes temperature of the sample to make a natural convection-driven flow in the loop-shaped microchannel by forming the loop-shaped microchannel on the disposable polymer chip and contacting the heating metal members maintained the different temperatures with the channels,
• the natural convection-driven PCR method comprising:
• a) maintaining each of the plurality of heating metal members at a respective constant temperature using respective ones of the plurality of heaters, temperature controllers, and temperature sensors;
• b) heating the sample in the respective channel to the respective constant temperature by contacting the respective heating metal member with the polymer chip;
• c) generating the natural convection due to the heat supplied to the plurality of heating metal members;
• and
• d) sequentially changing the temperature of the sample only by moving the sample along the loop due to the natural convection.