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Isothermal amplification technologies are emerging on the horizon that could have the potential to pose as alternatives to PCR in terms of sensitivity and ease of use. One of the most recent isothermal technologies is helicase- dependent amplification (HDA). This technology uses the helicase's capability to disrupt the hydrogen bonds of a Watson-Crick base pair in order to separate dsDNA. A denaturation step, as is used in PCR, is no longer required. This gives rise to new, less expensive and less complicated designs for point-of-care devices and 'Lab on Chip' systems. Helicase-dependent OnChip-amplification (OnChip-HDA) is a further step into this direction as it integrates the HDA technology with microarray technology and its power of multiplexing. This special report will give an overview on the HDA and OnChip-HDA technology, and its potential for point-of-care diagnostics.
Background: The need for fast, specific and sensitive multiparametric detection methods is an ever growing demand in molecular diagnostics. Here we report on a newly developed method, the helicase dependent Onchip amplification (OnChip-HDA). This approach integrates the analysis and detection in one single reaction thus leading to time and cost savings in multiparametric analysis. Methods: HDA is an isothermal amplification method that is not depending on thermocycling as known from PCR due to the helicases' ability to unwind DNA double-strands. We have combined the HDA with microarray based detection, making it suitable for multiplex detection. As an example we used the Onchip HDA in single and multiplex amplifications for the detection of the two pathogens N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus directly on surface bound primers. Results: We have successfully shown the OnChip-HDA and applied it for single- and duplex- detection of the pathogens N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus. Conclusion: We have developed a new method, the OnChip-HDA for the multiplex detection of pathogens. Its simplicity in reaction setup and potential for miniaturization and multiparametric analysis is advantageous for the integration in miniaturized Lab on Chip systems, e.g. needed in point of care diagnostics.