The basic principles of ultrafast plasmonic PCR have been promulgated in the scientific and technological literature for over a decade. Yet, its everyday diagnostic utility remains unvalidated in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Although the impressive speed of plasmonic PCR reaction is well-documented, implementing this process into a device form compatible with routine diagnostic tasks has been challenging. Here, we show that combining careful system engineering and process control with innovative and specific PCR biochemistry makes it possible to routinely achieve a sensitive and robust "10 min" PCR assay in a compact and lightweight system. The critical analytical parameters of PCR reactions are discussed in the current instrument setting.
Keywords: DNA; PCR; Taq polymerase; diagnostics; molecular; plasmonic PCR; technology; ultrafast.