PCR is indispensable in basic science and biotechnology for in-orbit life science research. However, manpower and resources are limited in space. To address the constraints of in-orbit PCR, we proposed an oscillatory-flow PCR technique based on biaxial centrifugation. Oscillatory-flow PCR remarkably reduces the power requirements of the PCR process and has a relatively high ramp rate. A microfluidic chip that could perform dispensing, volume correction, and oscillatory-flow PCR of four samples simultaneously using biaxial centrifugation was designed. An automatic biaxial centrifugation device was designed and assembled to validate the biaxial centrifugation oscillatory-flow PCR. Simulation analysis and experimental tests indicated that the device could perform fully automated PCR amplification of four samples in one hour, with a ramp rate of 4.4 ∘C/s and average power consumption of less than 30 W. The PCR results were consistent with those obtained using conventional PCR equipment. Air bubbles generated during amplification were removed by oscillation. The chip and device realized a low-power, miniaturized, and fast PCR method under microgravity conditions, indicating good space application prospects and potential for higher throughput and extension to qPCR.
Keywords: biaxial centrifugation; bubble; lab-on-a-disk; low centrifugal speed; microfluidic chip; microgravity; oscillatory-flow PCR.