SYDNEY, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have created an affordable, open-source device to measure DNA levels using parts made with a standard 3D printer.
The Do-It-Yourself Nucleic Acid Fluorometer (DIYNAFLUOR) offers an affordable alternative to expensive commercial DNA fluorometers often out of reach for many researchers, according to a statement released Wednesday by Australia's University of Queensland (UQ), which led the research.
Fluorometers, vital for DNA sequencing, which itself is essential for disease detection, therapeutic innovation and species identification, can now be easily built at home thanks to the simple, accessible device developed by UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), the statement said.
The device can be built in under a day for around 60 Australian dollars (about 39 U.S. dollars) using off-the-shelf electronics and 3D-printed parts, with free instructions online and no need for advanced skills or specialized tools, said the designer of the device, Will Anderson, at the AIBN.
Once built, the device quantifies DNA by using a light beam to produce a fluorescent response from the dyed DNA present in the sample, then reports the DNA concentration to a connected computer, Anderson said.
"This is crucial information that can tell you whether you can proceed with more expensive tests and sequencing," he added.
Laboratory tests confirmed the device matches the accuracy and sensitivity of costly commercial models, offering an affordable, open-source solution for researchers in resource-limited, remote, or educational settings, said the study. ■
