An RTPCR Machine: My Master's Thesis

Abstract

Project Overview

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for sensitive and cost-effective diagnostics. The gold standard test to diagnose COVID-19 is real-time PCR, and although there have been multiple advances in PCR testing, the real-time PCR thermocyclers are bulky and expensive. Given that PCR is one of the most sensitive and specific testing methods for diagnosis, it is necessary to find a solution to make it affordable, especially for low-middle-income countries (LMICs).

This led to the objective of this project: to develop a low-cost, portable, and automated real-time PCR device.

WELPCR

WELSTAT

The Project

This project includes two core components:

• WELPCR — a portable thermocycler for running PCR temperature cycles
• WELStat — a potentiostat that connects to a smartphone for electrochemical measurements

The user adds PCR master mix to pre-processed samples and places them in the holder on WELPCR. The temperature profile and other parameters can be visualized on the LCD display. An electroless nickel immersion (ENIG) PCB electrode is immersed in the PCR sample tubes to note the electrochemical measurements for real-time quantification.

Download Full Project Report

The complete Master's thesis report is available for download here: