Sensitivity-enhanced dot-antibody linked immunogold assay for virus detection

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/903,028, entitled "Sensitivity enhanced dot-ELlSA for detection of avian influenza virus," filed February 23, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The systems and methods described herein generally pertain to the field of virus detection. Embodiments of the invention pertain to the field of influenza virus detection, in particular, avian influenza virus (AIV) detection. The systems and methods also pertain to the use of antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticle solutions and signal amplification solutions for virus detection. The systems and methods described also pertain to the field of microfluidics. In particular, the systems and methods described herein pertain to the use of microfluidic diaphragm structures, microfluidic chips, and portable automated microfluidic reagent processing systems for use in the detection of pathogens such as viruses.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 2.1 Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) Detection

[0004] The rapid and sensitive detection of avian influenza viruses (AIV) at point-of-use is essential in view of the world-wide influenza pandemic threat to humans. Antibody/antigen interaction-based immunoassays present the most straightforward methods for detection of AIV, but often lack necessary sensitivity. Molecular diagnosis that is carried out, for example, using a nucleic acid amplification technique such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), may be extremely sensitive but calls for using sophisticated equipment, trained lab personnel and can only be conducted under a tightly controlled environment. Therefore, the inventors have recognized that a simple, inexpensive, portable, and sensitive methodology is needed for the detection of viruses such as AIV.

[0005] 2.2 Microfluidic systems

[0006] "Microfluidics" generally refers to systems, devices, and methods for processing small volumes of fluids. Because microfluidic systems can integrate a wide variety of operations to manipulating fluids, such as chemical or biological samples, these systems have many application areas, such as biological assays (for, e.g., medical diagnoses and drug delivery), biochemical sensors, or life science research in general.

[0007] One type of microfluidic device is a microfluidic chip. Microfluidic chips may include micro-scale features (or "microfeatures"), such as channels, valves, pumps, and/or reservoirs for storing fluids, for routing fluids to and from various locations on the chip, and/or for reacting fluidic reagents.

[0008] However, existing microfluidic systems lack adequate mechanisms for allowing controlled manipulation of multiple fluids except via prescribed flow patterns, hence limiting the practicality with which the systems can be utilized in various chemical or biological assays. This is because real-world assays often require repetitive manipulation of different reagents under continuously varying conditions.

[0009] Moreover, many existing microfluidic devices are restricted for one specific use and cannot be easily adapted or customized for other applications without being completely redesigned. These devices lack modularity, and therefore cannot share common device components that allow one design to perform multiple functions. This lack of flexibility leads to increased production costs as each use requires the production of a different system. [0010] Furthermore, many existing microfluidic systems lack any means for straightforward end-point assays that are able to easily detect interactions or existence of analysts resulting from the assays. By way of example, visual detection of sample color changes after an assay is often used to evaluate the assay results, but this technique is rarely applied in a microfluidic system. [001 1] Thus, there exists a need for improved microfluidic systems for processing fluids for analysis of biological or chemical samples, and in particular, in the detection of pathogens such as AlV. It is desired that the systems are mass producible, inexpensive, and preferably disposable. It is desired that the systems be simple to operate and that many or substantially all of the fluid processing steps be automated. It is desired that the systems be customizable, and be modular such that the system can be easily and rapidly reconfigured to suit various applications

in which the detection of pathogens is desired. It is also desired that the systems be able to provide straightforward and meaningful assay results.

10012] Citation or identification of any reference in Section 2, or in any other section of this application, shall not be considered an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A system and method for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample is provided. In one embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus. In a specific embodiment, the influenza virus is an avian influenza virus (AIV).

[0014] In one embodiment, a method is provided for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample comprising the steps of: obtaining the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest; providing an insert for performing a dot-Antibody Linked Immunogold Assay (dot-ALIGA); applying to the insert the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest; providing a microfluidic device comprising a channel disposed therein; inter-fitting the insert within the channel; and performing the dot-ALIGA in the microfluidic device to detect an antigen of the virus of interest, wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold

conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate. [0015] In another embodiment, the system and method uses sensitivity-enhanced immunogold nanoparticles for the detection of the virus. In one aspect, antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles are used in the sensitivity-enhanced dot-ALIGA as virus-specific immunoassay binding agents. The virus detection limitation of the sensitivity-enhanced dot- ALIGA can be comparable to a conventional microtiter plate-based ELISA and about 2 ⁵ times more sensitive than a hemagglutination assay.

[0016] In another embodiment, the dot-ALIGA is a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA and the anti-virus antibody is an anti-virus monoclonal antibody (mAb). [0017] In another embodiment, the method additionally comprises, before the step of flowing the first fluid material through the channel, the steps of: flowing a fluid comprising a blocking agent through the channel to contact the insert therein for a time sufficient to block non-specific binding sites on the insert; and drawing the fluid comprising the blocking agent away from the insert.

[0018] In another embodiment, the blocking agent is bovine serum albumin (BSA), nonfat milk powder, gelatin or casein.

[0019] In another embodiment, the method additionally comprises, before the step of detecting an interaction on the insert, the steps of: flowing a fluid comprising a washing reagent or buffer through the channel to contact the insert therein for a time sufficient to wash the insert; and drawing the washing reagent or buffer away from the insert. [0020] In another embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus. [0021 ] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is selected from the group consisting of an avian influenza virus, an influenza A virus, an influenza B virus, an influenza C virus, a canine influenza virus, a feline influenza virus, an equine influenza virus and a swine flu virus. [0022] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is an avian influenza virus (AIV)- [0023] In another embodiment, the insert comprises a nitrocellulose membrane.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises hydroxylamine chloride and chloroauric acid. In specific embodiments, the concentration of hydroxylamine chloride can be in the range of 0.001 - 0.01 mM, 0.01 - 0.1 mM, 0.1 - 1.O mM, 1.0 - 10.O mM, 10.0 - 100.0 mM, or 100.0 mM - 1.0 M. In other specific embodiments, the concentration of chloroauric acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1%, 0.1 - 1.0%. 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%. [0025] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.1 - 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 1 - 10% chloroauric acid.

[0026] In a specific embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 1-5% chloroauric acid.

[0027] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises Z,(+)-ascorbic acid and chloroauric acid. In specific embodiments, the concentration of L(+)-ascorbic acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1%, 0.1 - 1.0%, 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%. In other specific embodiments, the concentration of chloroauric acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1%, 0.1 - 1.0%. 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%.

[0028] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.1 - 1.0% Z,(+)-ascorbic acid and 1 - 10% chloroauric acid.

[0029] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.15% /-(+)- ascorbic acid and 1 -5% chloroauric acid.

[0030] In another embodiment, the detecting step detects the presence of the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate in the range of 0.015 - 0.02 HAU. [0031 ] In another embodiment, flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material comprises actuating a distribution valve to flow a reagent from a reagent reservoir to a plurality of outlet reservoirs.

[0032] In another embodiment, flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material comprises repeatedly shuttling the first fluid material or the second fluid material in a first direction towards a first reservoir connected to the channel and in a second direction towards a second reservoir connected to the channel, wherein a distribution valve coupled to the channel substantially confines the fluid material in the channel when the distribution valve is in a closed state.

[0033] In another embodiment, drawing the first fluid material or the second fluid material away from the insert comprises flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material in at

least one of a first direction towards a first reservoir connected to the channel and a second direction towards a second reservoir connected to the channel.

[0034] In another embodiment, the method further comprising transporting waste from the channel to a waste reservoir connected to the channel.

[0035] In another embodiment, detecting the interaction comprises visualization of color intensity, fluorescence intensity or chemiluminescence intensity.

[0036] In another embodiment, detecting the interaction comprises generating an intensity value corresponding to at least one sample of the insert.

[0037] In another embodiment, the intensity value is selected from the group consisting of color intensity value, fluorescence intensity value and chemiluminescence intensity value.

[0038] In another embodiment, generating the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value comprises: digitizing a color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence image) corresponding to the sample to generate a plurality of pixels: providing a plurality of numerical values for respective ones of the plurality of pixels; and averaging the plurality of numerical values to provide the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value.

[0039] In another embodiment, the method further comprises computing a threshold value and comparing the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value to the threshold value to detect the interaction.

[0040] In another embodiment, the method further comprises storing at least one of the (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence)intensity value and the threshold value in a database. [0041] In another embodiment, the threshold value is computed using at least one negative control sample.

[0042] In another embodiment, a method is provided for detecting an avian influenza virus (AIV) in a field or clinical sample comprising the steps of: obtaining the field or clinical sample suspected of containing AIV; providing an insert for performing a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA; applying to the insert the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the AIV; providing a microfluidic device comprising a channel disposed therein; inter-fitting the insert within the channel; and

performing the monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA in the microfluidic device to detect an AIV antigen, wherein the monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-AlV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the AIV antigen in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the AIV to bind together to form an AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the AlV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate. [0043] In one embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises hydroxylamine chloride and chloroauric acid.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises L(+)-ascorbic acid and chloroauric acid.

[0045] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample comprising: a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a channel disposed therein; and an insert for performing a dot-ALIGA, wherein the insert is capable of being inter-fitted within the channel and wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or

clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate.

[0046] In one embodiment, the dot-ALIGA is a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA. [0047] In another embodiment, the anti-virus antibody is an anti-virus monoclonal antibody (mAb).

[0048] In another embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus. [0049] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is selected from the group consisting of an avian influenza virus, an influenza A virus, an influenza B virus, an influenza C virus, a canine influenza virus, a feline influenza virus, an equine influenza virus and a swine flu virus. [0050] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is an avian influenza virus (AIV). [0051 ] A kit for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample is also provided. In one embodiment, the kit comprises in one or more containers: a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a channel disposed therein; and an insert for performing a dot-ALIGA, wherein the insert is capable of being inter- fitted within the channel and wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or

clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate.

[0052] In another embodiment, the kit additionally comprises in one or more containers the first fluid material comprising anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold. [0053] In another embodiment, the kit additionally comprises in one or more containers the second fluid material comprising the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof.

[0054] In another embodiment, the system and method for detecting the virus comprises employing a plastic microfluidic chip configured to process one or more reagents, including but not limited to buffers, washing reagents, blocking reagents, reagents comprising anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold or at least one component thereof, and sensitivity enhancement reagents or at least one component thereof. The chip may comprise various microfluidic features including valves, pumps, channels and reservoirs. The micro-features are interconnected to allow various combinations of fluid flow patterns that can be user specified and tailored to a particular application. In particular, the chip allows for the transport of one or more reagents from respective reagent reservoirs on a reagent cartridge to multiple assay channels via a transport structure. The transport is directed by the automated operation of pneumatically driven pumps and valves. By coordinating the flow of reagent from the reagent reservoirs to the channels both spatially and temporally using the automated methods described herein, a user can efficiently perform biological immunoassays.

[0055] In one aspect, the microfluidic chip includes a plastic substrate having a plurality of channels, a distribution structure for introducing a reagent into at least one of the channels, and a configurable transport system for controllably directing a flow of the reagent in the channels. [0056] In one aspect, the channels include a plurality of inlet channels, a plurality of outlet channels and a plurality of assay channels. The configurable transport system comprises a distribution valve connected to the inlet channels and outlet channels for distributing reagents to the assay channels. The assay channels are configured for conducting biological assays. [0057] In one aspect, the inlet channels, outlet channels, assay channels and distribution structure are disposed in the substrate body.

[0058] In one aspect, the porting device is a separate reagent cartridge that is detachably coupled to a top surface of the substrate and has a plurality of reagent reservoirs fiuidly communicating with the respective inlet channels. The inlet channels are individually valve controlled to deliver reagents from the respective reagent reservoirs to the assay channels through the distribution valve and the outlet channels.

[0059] In another aspect, a buffer reservoir is aligned with an inlet channel to the distribution valve. The buffer reservoir features a substantially larger storage volume than the individual reagent reservoirs for storing a washing buffer. A diaphragm valve located beneath the buffer reservoir controllably releases the washing buffer into the assay channels through the distribution valve.

[0060] In another aspect, one or more shuttle reservoirs and outlet reservoirs store reagents and buffer that are transported during reaction incubation. The shuttle reservoirs are connected to the corresponding outlet reservoirs through respective assay channels. The volumes of a shuttle reservoir and an outlet reservoir are substantially larger than the volume of an assay channel so that a reaction reagent in the assay channel can be transported into the shuttle reservoir and/or the outlet reservoir during reaction incubation.

[0061] In another aspect, an on-chip waste reservoir is aligned with an outlet channel to the distribution valve. The waste reservoir features a substantially larger storage volume than the buffer reservoir for storing all used reagents and washing buffer. An independently actuated diaphragm valve located beneath the waste reservoir regulates fluid flow into the waste reservoir from the shuttle and/or outlet reservoirs via the distribution valve.

[0062] In another aspect, one or more bi-directional fluidic pumps are each coupled to at least three valves respectively controlling a fluid flow through an assay channel, a shuttle reservoir and an outlet channel to the distribution valve. The pump-and-valves structure enables multiple fluid drawing and delivery patterns such as from a reagent reservoir to a shuttle reservoir, from a reagent reservoir to an assay channel to an outlet reservoir, from a shuttle reservoir to an outlet reservoir via an assay channel, from an outlet reservoir to a shuttle reservoir via an assay channel, from an outlet reservoir to a waste reservoir and from a shuttle reservoir to a waste reservoir.

[0063] In another aspect, the porting device comprises a separate reagent chip including the inlet channels, the distribution valve and a plurality of reagent reservoirs. The reagent reservoirs are aligned with the inlet channels for introducing reagents to the distribution valve. The porting device also includes a ducting chip having the outlet channels disposed therein. The ducting chip is adapted to detachably couple to the reagent chip and the substrate for introducing the reagents from the reagent chip to the assay channels in the substrate. The separation of an application chip into several modules allows greater design and fabrication flexibility, the utilization of a variety of chip materials and the repetitive usage of the reagent cartridge. [0064] In another aspect, an insert (or assay strip) is disposed in a void volume of an assay channel for conducting biological assays or chemical reactions, wherein the assay channel is configured to receive the insert and prevent a reaction surface of the insert from contacting the channel surface.

[0065] In another aspect, the assay channel is adapted to receive the insert (or assay strip) from an opening of the outlet reservoir connected to the assay channel. [0066] In another aspect, the void volume of the assay channel includes an opening to the top surface of the substrate wherein the insert (assay strip) can be disposed, and a lid for removably covering the opening of the void volume.

[0067] In another aspect, the reaction surface of the insert or assay strip may include one or more samples analytes or agent for potentially interacting with reagents delivered from the reagent cartridge. The samples analytes or agents are chosen for specific applications. In certain embodiments, the insert includes a perforated membrane film strip and at least one membrane disk coupled to a surface of the membrane film strip and aligned with an aperture on the membrane film strip. The membrane disks are each coated with an agent sample containing

a biological and/or chemical material such as a target analyte or analyte-capturing antibodies. In certain embodiments, the apertures include a central circular region and two rectangular regions open to the circular region. The rectangular regions are configured to trap air bubbles in a fluidic flow through the assay channel.

[0068] In another aspect, the film strip is made from a non-elastomeric plastic adhesive material. In certain embodiments, the non-elastomer plastic material includes polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate and acrylic. In certain embodiments, the membrane disks are made from nitrocellulose, PVDF and/or nylon.

[0069] In another aspect, a heating element is coupled to the microfluidic chip for controlling the assay temperature for enhanced assay repeatability, speed and sensitivity. [0070] In another aspect, the insert is spotted with the field or clinical sample (or specimen) suspected of containing the virus of interest. After one or more sample-spotted inserts are disposed into the appropriate assay channels in the microfluidic chip, reagents from the reagent cartridge can be made to flow through the assay channels via the distribution structure, thereby contacting the reaction surfaces of the inserts. Washing buffer from the buffer reservoir can also flow through the assay channels to contact the inserts in the channels. During a reaction incubation period or a washing period, excessive reaction reagents and/or washing buffer in the assay channels are pumped back and forth between a shuttle reservoir and an outlet reservoir connected to each assay channel. At the conclusion of the assays, fluidic wastes stored in the shuttle reservoirs and the outlet reservoirs are pumped into the waste reservoir via the distribution structure. By flowing appropriate reagents, including but not limited to buffers, washing reagents, blocking reagents, antibodies, antigens, antibody conjugates, enzyme conjugates and their substrates, reagents comprising anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold or at least one component thereof, and sensitivity enhancement reagents or at least one component thereof, the microfluidic chip can be used to perform an immunoassay or other biological assay on each membrane disk in order to detect the target analytes.

[0071 ] In another aspect, the shuttle reservoirs are used as reagent reservoirs for creating individual assay conditions in each assay channel. Unlike a reagent delivered from the reagent reservoir that creates uniform assay conditions in all assay channels, different reagents or reagents of different concentrations in the shuttle reservoirs may be individually delivered to the assay channels for performing parallel, but non-uniform biological assays.

[0072] In another aspect, the end result of an assay is detected by color changes on the inserts using an automated image analysis procedure. The procedure involves quantitatively digitizing an array of color-spotted samples in the assay chip and quantitatively determining the color intensity corresponding to each pixel of a sample spot to generate an averaged, or pixilated, value for each sample. The sample color intensity values yield information about the biological samples on corresponding membrane disks. A threshold value may be computed by using negative control samples. The threshold value, the color intensity values, and the various images corresponding to the sample array may be stored and archived for future reference. [0073] In another aspect, the end result of an assay is detected by changes in fluorescence or chemiluminescence on the inserts using the automated image analysis procedure described above.

[0074] In another aspect, a microfluidic chip can be ported to a controller capable of driving the pump and valve structures on the chip. The controller may be electronically or wirelessly connected to a computer or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), such as BLACKBERRY® or PALM PILOT®, providing an interface for a user to programmably control the assay reactions on the chip.

[0075] The inherently small dimensions of devices achieve a portable microfluidic system. Combined with the programmable control directing flow of several reagents through several microchannels into several outlet reservoirs, this portable microfluidic system provides a framework for offering portable "Point-of-Care" (POC) systems with automated assay processing that can be run by users with little training.

[0076] In one aspect, the microfluidic chips are made entirely from plastic materials. In one embodiment, an entire microfluidic chip suitable for portable immunoassay is made from polystyrene, which results in extremely low fabrication costs. An enabler for the use of polystyrene in such an application while preserving the integrity and reliability of the microfeatures disposed therein is the use of weak solvent bonding. These aspects of the technology are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 1 1/242,694, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] These and other features and advantages will be more fully understood by the following illustrative description with reference to the appended drawings, in which the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a microfluidic chip for carrying out the assays of the invention.

[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative view of the microfluidic chip of FIG. 1.

[0080] FIGS. 3a-b illustrate a microfluidic valve used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0081] FIGS. 4a-4f illustrate a microfluidic pump used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0082] FIGS. 5a-c illustrate an inlet valve used in the embodiment shown in FIG. I.

[0083] FIGS. 6a-b illustrate a cartridge and a reservoir used in the embodiment shown in

FIG. 1.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows an assay chip having ducts that connect to a separate reagent chip.

[0085] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate steps for manufacturing the device of FIG. 7.

[0086] FIGS. 1 la-c illustrate an exemplary insert sized and shaped to inter-fit within the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0087] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a chip in which a single driving force distributes a reagent to a plurality of outlet reservoirs.

[0088] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a chip in which multiple driving forces distribute a reagent to a plurality of outlet reservoirs.

[0089] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a chip having multiple driving forces distributing a plurality of reagents to a plurality of outlet reservoirs.

[0090] FIGS. 15a-c illustrate a method of inter-fitting the exemplary insert of FIGS. 1 la-c within a channel of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0091] FIGS. 16a-b show the results of a microfluidic-based on-chip immunoassay process.

[0092] FIG. 17 illustrates steps in identifying samples containing a target analyte.

[0093] FIG. 18 shows a complete and self-contained microfluidic system including a computer, a controller and a chip.

[0094] FIG. 19 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a chip coupled to a controller.

[0095] FIG. 20 shows the results of a sensitivity-enhanced dot- ALIGA. Two-fold serial dilution of reference virus was detected using gold-conjugated AIV antibody. Top row: treated

with sensitivity enhancement reagent. Bottom row: not treated with sensitivity enhancement reagent. See Section 6.1 for details.

10096] FIG. 21 shows the results of another sensitivity-enhanced dot- ALIGA. Two vertical test columns ("SE" and "WO SE") were spotted with the AIV reference strain and two vertical test columns ("SEC" and "WO SEC") were spotted with negative controls. See Section 6.2 for details.

[0097] FIG. 22 shows an insert exhibiting the results of performing a sensitivity enhanced dot-ALIGA for AIV using a microfluidic device. See Section 6.3 for details.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is at least the scope defined by the appended claims and equivalents.

[0099] The invention, in various embodiments, provides immunoassays and methods for detecting pathogens including, but not limited to, avian influenza virus. The immunoassays and methods described herein are preferably conducted on microfluidic chips or systems.

[0100] 5.1 Microfluidic chips or systems

[0101] Microfluidic systems that are suitable for use in carrying out the assays and methods described herein are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0166199 Al (application Serial No. 1 1/594,444, entitled "Microfluidic systems and control methods" by Zhou et al.) discloses a microfluidic system that is suitable for use in carrying out the assay. The microfluidic system comprises a pneumatic manifold having a plurality of apertures, and a chip manifold having channels disposed therein for routing pneumatic signals from respective ones of the apertures to a plurality of valves in a microfluidic chip, wherein the channels route the pneumatic signals in accordance with a configuration of the plurality of valves in the microfluidic chip. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0102] Microfluidic chips that are suitable for use in carrying out the assay are known in the art. Preferably, a microfluidic chip and inserts such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0166200 Al (application Serial No. 1 1/650,006, entitled "Microfluidic

chips and assay systems" by Zhou et al.) are used in carrying out the assay. Such a microfluidic chip and inserts can be used to provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays for detecting a pathogen such as avian influenza virus. The microfluidic chip has a plurality of micro features interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0103] FIG. 1 illustrates a microfluidic system 1 that includes an assay chip 5 and a cartridge 10 disposed on the chip 5 along a width of the chip 5. The cartridge 10 includes a plurality of reagent reservoirs 12 having side walls that define chambers to hold fluid reagents. The chip 5 includes a buffer reservoir 16 having a cylindrical sidewall to hold a washing buffer, a plurality of shuttle reservoirs 17 adapted to hold reagents during an assay operation, and a waste reservoir 18 adapted to hold used reagents and used buffer after the assay operation. The chip 5 also includes a plurality of inlet valves 14 positioned to align with the various reservoirs. The inlet valves 14 serve to control fluid flows between the reservoirs and respective microchannels in the chip 5.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the chip 5 includes a plurality of inlet channels 20, a distribution valve 25, an inlet 30, a waste channel 38, a plurality of reagent and or buffer outlet channels 35, assay channels 40, fluid pumps 44, and outlet reservoirs 48. The distribution valve 25 controls the release of fluid from the inlet channels 20 to the inlet 30. The distribution valve 25 controls the release of fluid from the inlet 30 to the waste channel 38. The inlet 30 serves as an inlet to outlet channels 35 which are in fluidic communication with the assay channels 40. The pumps 44 pump fluid in a direction 60 towards the outlet reservoirs 48, but can also be programmed to pump fluid generally in the direction 62 towards the shuttle reservoirs 17 and the inlet 30.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 1, the chip 5 is generally constructed from a first substrate 6, a second substrate 7, and a membrane 8 (not shown) disposed in between the two substrates 6 and 7. The membrane 8 has a thickness of between about lOμm and about 150μm, or between about 15μm and about 75μm. The depicted first substrate 6 and second substrate 7 each has a thickness substantially larger than the thickness of the membrane 8, but in other implementations, has a thickness similar to or less than the thickness of the membrane 8. The

microfluidic channels 20, 25, 38, and 40 may be of any suitable dimension, but in certain embodiments have cross-sectional dimensions of between about 1 μm and about 500 μm, or between about 1 μm and about 50 μm.

[0106] In certain embodiments, the first substrate 6, the second substrate 7, and the membrane 8 are all made of plastic. Exemplary materials include non-elastomeric polymers, such as polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and acrylic. These materials are beneficial at least in part because they are reasonably rigid, which is suitable for the first substrate 6 and the second substrate 7. Moreover, these materials can be deformable when used in thin layers, which is suitable for the membrane 8 which may deflect towards and away from the first 6 and second 7 substrates.

[0107] The system 1 provides automated "many-to-many" reagent dispensing and processing. By selectively operating inlet valves 14, distribution valve 25 and fluid pumps 44, various combinations of fluid flow patterns among reagent reservoirs 12, buffer reservoir 16, waste reservoir 18, shuttle reservoirs 17 and outlet reservoirs 48 can be achieved. In particular, the distribution valve 25 may be constructed in accordance with the valve structure described with respect to FIGS. 3a-b. FIGS. 3a-b show a three-layer active planar valve structure 399, which may be formed using acetonitrile assisted bonding. The valve structure 399 includes a first substrate 300 having interdisposed microchannels 301 and 303. A membrane layer 304 is selectively bonded to the first substrate 300 in areas 306, thus creating a diaphragm structure 308. A second substrate 302 is bonded to the membrane 304. The second substrate includes a drive chamber 310.

[0108] The channel pumps 44 of FIG. 1 may be constructed in accordance with the pump structure described with respect to FIG. 4a-f or as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0076068 Al (application Serial No. 11/242,694, entitled "Microfluidic pump and valve structures and fabrication methods" by Young et al.). U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0076068 Al discloses plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. The microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm can be employed as valves and pumps. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0109] A microfluidic pump generally refers to any structure or group of structures capable of applying positive and/or negative pressure to a fluid and/or facilitating the flow of fluid in one or more desired directions. The depicted micro-diaphragm pump 400 generally includes three valves: an inlet valve 402, a drive valve 404 and an outlet valve406, interconnected by portions 418b and 418c of microchannel 418. In operation, the pump 400 pumps fluid through the microfluidic channel 418 by cycling through six states that are activated sequentially to produce a peristaltic-like pumping effect. Even though FlG. 4 depicts three valve structures 402, 404 and 406 that make up the pump 400, other pump embodiments may contain four or more valve structures.

[01 10] More particularly, in FIG. 4A, the inlet valve 402 opens and draws fluid from an inlet portion 418a of the microfluidic channel 418 into volume 425 between the membrane 408 and the second substrate 432. In FIG. 4B, the drive valve 404 opens and draws more fluid into the pump system. In FIG. 4C, the inlet valve 402 closes. In FIG. 4D, the outlet valve 406 opens. In FIG. 4E, the drive valve 404 closes, and thereby forces fluid through the outlet valve 406 and into an outlet portion 418d of the microfluidic channel. In FIG. 4F, the outlet valve 406 then closes. These six states complete one pump cycle, displacing a volume of fluid through the pump 400.

[01 1 1] The pump 400 is bidirectional. If the cycle is reversed, portion 418d is an inlet portion of the microfluidic channel 418, portion 418a is an outlet portion of the microfluidic channel 418, and fluid flows from portion 418d to portion 418a.

[01 12] The valve structures 402, 404, and 408 are independently actuatable, in that any one of the valve structures can be actuated with little or substantially no effect on the state of the other valve structures. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate sequences of states may produce a pumping effect, and that other pumps can also be used in practicing the invention.

[0113] FIGS. 5a-b illustrate an exemplary inlet valve structure 14 of FIG. 1. The valve 14 includes a first substrate 508 with a drive chamber 510 fabricated therein, a second substrate 515 and a membrane 520. A reservoir may be disposed above the second substrate 515 and aligned with reservoir port 540 to provide a source of fluid for porting into channel 545. The reservoirs will be discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 6a-b. FIG. 5c illustrates an exemplary structure including a plurality of inlet valves 14 of FIG. 1 connected in series.

[0114] Various embodiments and alternatives may be applied to the pump and valve structures. In particular, three or more valves similar to the valve structure 565 in FIG. 5c may be connected in series by microchannels to form a pump that operates with a peristaltic-like mechanism, such as the pumps 44 of FIG. 1. Other arrangements of valve structures interconnected by microchannels can also form generic pumping configurations. [01 15] As described above with respect to FIGS. 5a-b, a reservoir may be disposed above the second substrate 515 and aligned with reservoir port 540 to provide a source of fluid for porting into channel 545. This is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6a-b. FIG. 6a shows a cartridge 610 with a top side 602 and a bottom side 604 having a reagent reservoir 612 formed thereon. In particular, the cartridge 610 is provided with its top side 602 and bottom side 604 both sealed by suitable adhesive materials. In the current embodiment, the top adhesive material 605 is a sealing tape, and the bottom sealing material (not shown) may also be a sealing tape. Other suitable adhesive materials may also be used.

[01 16] FIG. 6a depicts the cartridge 610 having only the reagent reservoirs 612 disposed thereon, although various other cartridge configurations are possible. In one exemplary arrangement, a cartridge includes a buffer reservoir 616, a waste reservoir 618 and a plurality of shuttle reservoirs 617 in addition to the reagent reservoirs 612. In certain implementations, a cartridge includes the reagent 612 and buffer 616 reservoirs. The shuttle 617 and waste 618 reservoirs may be integrally constructed onto the chip 615 or provided on a separate cartridge. In certain implementations, three separate cartridges are provided respectively including the shuttle reservoirs 617, the reagent reservoirs 612, and the buffer 616 and waste 618 reservoirs. In certain implementations, a cartridge has only the shuttle reservoirs 617 for distributing different reagents to assay channels 630-635.

[01 17] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an alternate method for coupling multiple reservoirs to an assay chip. FIG. 7 shows an assay chip 705, a reagent chip 710, and a ducting chip 715. The reagent chip 710 includes a reagent cartridge 720 and a reagent loading chip 725. The ducting chip 715 serves to provide bi-directional fluid flows between the reagent chip 710 and the assay chip 705. In particular, the reagent chip 710 allows several reagent reservoirs 735-739 to dispense reagents into reservoir 740 before being ported to the assay chip 705 through the ducting chip 715. In certain arrangements, one of the reagent reservoirs 735-739 may be a buffer reservoir for storing

a buffer solution. In certain arrangements, one of the reservoirs 735-739 may be a waste reservoir for storing used reagents after an assay.

101 181 The ducting chip 715 is rigid enough to provide the necessary structural support to duct the assay chip 705 to the reagent chip 710. However, the ducting chip 715 is deformable such that reagent chip 710 and assay chip 705 need not be exactly aligned along a vertical axis

750 when they are attached by the ducting chip 715.

[0119] More specifically, according to FIG. 8a, the ducting chip 800 includes a cover layer

805 for being generally disposed over a portion of the channels 730, as shown in FIG. 7. The ducting chip further includes a first support layer 810, a channel layer 815, and a second support layer 820. Layers 805 and 810 are provided with apertures 825 that are aligned to allow fluid to flow from channels 830 in a downward 832 direction. The channel layer includes a plurality of inter-disposed channels 830. The first support layer 810, the channel layer 815, and the second support layer 820 include apertures 845 that are substantially aligned to allow fluid to flow in a downward 832 direction from a reservoir 840. An adhesive O-ring 835 adheres the reservoir

840 to the second support layer 820. The layers may be adjoined with the lamination methods described herein. FIG. 8b shows the ducting chip 800 of FIG. 8a after assembly.

[0120] In FlG. 9a, the reagent loading chip 925 includes a bottom substrate layer 905 with drive chambers 907, a membrane layer 910, and a top substrate layer 915 with microchannels etched therein. The layers may be attached with suitable lamination methods described herein.

FIG. 9b shows a top view of the reagent loading chip 925.

[0121] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the full structure including the ducting chip

1015, the reagent loading chip 1025, the reagent cartridge 1020, and the assay chip 1005. In particular, FIG. 10 shows the reagent cartridge 1020 being laminated to the reagent loading chip

1025, the ducting chip 1015 being coupled to the reagent loading chip 1025, and the assay chip

1005 being attached to the ducting chip 1015.

[0122] Various alternative arrangements may be applied to the microfluidic systems 1 and

1000 of FIGS. 1 and 10, respectively. For example, instead of enclosed assay channels 40 as shown in FlG. 1, a plurality of void regions 1060-1065, as shown in FIG. 10, may be disposed in the respective assay channels. These void regions 1060-1065 may be open to a top surface of the chip 1005. A cover adhesive layer may be disposed over each channel void region 1060-

1065.

[0123] In another aspect, a temperature-modulating device, such as a heater or a cooler, may be coupled to the microfluidic systems 1 and 1000 to regulate the temperature of the fluids in the systems for providing an optimal environment wherein on-chip biological and/or chemical reactions may occur. In FIG. 1, there are six reagent reservoirs 12, six shuttle reservoirs 17, six outlet reservoirs 48, one waste reservoir 18 and one buffer reservoir 16. In FIG. 10, there are five reagent reservoirs 1035-1039, any of which may be a buffer or waste reservoir. However various other combinations of reagent, shuttle, outlet, waste and buffer reservoirs are possible. [0124] The assay channels may be provided with biological or chemical materials that react with reagents introduced into the microfluidic system. In particular, inserts are provided with chemical and/or biological agents for insertion into the microchannels for the purpose of reacting with the reagents. Exemplary inserts are shown in FIGS, l la-b. In certain examples, the insert is a flexible plastic strip with an adhesive coating on one side. In certain examples, the insert is a thin polystyrene strip. In certain examples, the insert has a thickness of between about 50 microns to about 500 microns in thickness, a width of between about 1 mm to about 5 mm, and a length of between about 5mm to about 100mm. In certain instances, the assay channels are configured accordingly in order to accommodate the inserts disposed therein. [0125] As mentioned above, an insert may be provided with chemical and/or biological agents. In one exemplary implementation, an insert includes a membrane 1 104 having adhesive disposed on its surface and membrane disks 1 1 10 adhered to the membrane 1 104, wherein the membrane disks 1 1 10 are provided with chemical and/or biological agents. The membrane 1 104 is further provided with apertures 1 1 15 over which the membrane disks 1 1 10 lie. The apertures 1 1 15 may be included in a perforated cover strip 1105 adhering to the membrane 1 104. The apertures serve to allow fluid contact between the bottom side of the membrane disks 1 110 and a fluid flow through channel 1 130 wherein the insert 1 107 is disposed. In one example of an insert as shown in FIG. 1 Ia, the apertures 1 115 are circular. In one example as shown in FlG. 1 Ib, the apertures 1 1 15 each includes a central circular region 1120 with two opposing rectangular regions 1122 open to the circular region 1120. The rectangular regions 122 are oriented on the insert 1107 in a direction 1132 aligned with a direction of fluid flow when the insert 1 107 is disposed in the assay channel 1 130. This feature enables the insert 1 107 to trap air bubbles in the fluid. The membrane disks 11 10 are preferred to be circular, although other shapes are possible. The apertures 11 15 are shaped and sized to provide structural support for

the membrane disks 1 1 10. For the case of circular disks and circular apertures as illustrated in FIG. 1 Ia, the disks 1 1 10 are preferred to have a diameter of between about lmm and about 5 mm, and the apertures 1 1 15 are preferred to have a diameter that is between about 5% and about 10% less than the diameter of the disks 11 10. For the case of oval-shaped disks and apertures shaped as those in FIG. 1 Ib, a diameter of the central circular regions 1120 of the apertures 11 15 may be between about 5% and about 10% less than a major diameter of the membrane disks 1 1 10. A width 1 124 of the rectangular regions 1122 may be between about 5% to about 10% less than the diameter of the central circular regions 1120.

[0126] The membrane disks 1 1 10 may be made of a porous material such as nitrocellulose. The porosity of the membrane disks 1110 may be sufficiently large to allow fluid and salt passing through but small enough to interact with macromolecules, viruses or bacteria in the fluid. The membrane disks 1 110 may be made of nitrocellulose, PVDF and/or nylon, which are suitable materials for use in a microfluidic-based dot-chip process as will be described below. The membrane disks 1 1 10 and the apertures 1 1 15 may be formed by, for example, a die cut or laser cut. The operations of various components of the microfluidic system I of FIG. 1 will be described below. By selectively operating the inlet valves 14, distribution valve 25, and channel pumps 44, various combinations of fluid flow patterns might be achieved. In particular, one or more reagents stored in reagent reservoirs 12 and/or washing buffer in buffer reservoir 16 may be selectively dispensed into assay channels 40 at appropriate rates, amounts and temperatures, incubated in the channels 40 and disposed through waste reservoir 18 via outlet reservoirs 48 and shuttle reservoirs 17. Exemplary application of these operations will be discussed herein. [0127] FIGS. 3a-b illustrate one method for operating the distribution valve 25 of FIG. 1. In particular, a positive upward pressure is applied to the diaphragm 308 via the drive chamber 310, the membrane 308 is pushed away against the valve seat 312 between the two microfeatures 301 and 303, effectively preventing any transfer of fluid between them. [0128] Alternatively, if a negative downward pressure is applied to the drive chamber 310, the membrane 308 is pulled away from the valve seat 312 and the fluid is free to communicate between the microfeatures 301 and 303 via void region 314. Pressure may be applied through the drive chamber 310 pneumatically or by physically contacting the membrane through the drive chamber 310.

[0129] FIGS. 4a-f illustrate one method for pumping fluid through the pump structure 44 of FIG. 1. The method comprises cycling the pump structure though six states that are activated sequentially to produce a pumping effect. In FIG. 4a, the inlet valve 402 is opened and fluid is drawn from inlet microchannel 412 into the volume 402a between the membrane 408 and the first substrate 410. In FIG. 4b, the drive valve 404 is opened, drawing more fluid into the pump system. In FIG. 4c, the inlet valve 402 is closed. In FIG. 4d, the outlet valve 406 is opened. In FlG. 4e, the drive valve 404 is closed, forcing fluid out through the outlet valve 406 into outlet microchannel 418. The outlet valve 406 is then closed. These six states complete one pump cycle, displacing a volume of fluid through the pump. The pump is bi-directional. If the cycle is reversed, microchannel 418 serves as an inlet microchannel, microchannel 412 serves as an outlet microchannel, and fluid may be drawn from inlet microchannel 418 to outlet microchannel 412. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate sequences of states may produce other pumping effects.

[0130] FIGS. 5a-b illustrate one method for operating the inlet valves 14 of FIG. 1. In particular, a positive pneumatic force 525 is applied through drive chamber 510, forcing the valve 500 to be in a closed position wherein there is no fluidic communication between inlet channel 545 and reservoir port 540. Upon application of a negative pneumatic force 530 through drive chamber 510, the valve 500 is in an open position wherein reservoir port 540 is in fluidic communication with inlet channel 545.

[0131] FIG. 5c illustrates the operation of a plurality of inlet valves being connected in series. As depicted, communication between inlet valves 550 and 557 may be controlled by actuating a valve structure 565 connected to the inlet valves. In particular, a positive pneumatic force 570 may be applied through the drive chamber 586 disposed in the bottom substrate 593. This force will push the membrane 588 into conformal contact with a region 590 of the top substrate 592. In this case, the valve is in a closed position with substantially no fluidic communication between adjoining microchannels 572 and 573. A negative pneumatic force 575 applied through the drive chamber 586 will pull the membrane 588 away from the top substrate 592, such that the membrane 588 forms a cavity towards the drive chamber 586 into the region 587. In this case, the valve is in an open position in which adjoining microchannels 572 and 573 are in fluidic communication.

[0132] With reference to FlG. 6b, to couple the cartridge 610 to the assay chip 615, a user turns the cartridge 610 such that its bottom side 604 is facing up, removes the bottom sealing backing, aligns the cartridge 610 to the assay chip 615 such that the reagent reservoirs 612 are aligned with respective valves 614, and then presses the assay chip 615 against the cartridge 610. When the reagent cartridge is held together with the assay chip 615, reagent 620 within the respective reagent reservoir 612 is maintained within the reagent reservoir 612 by a hydrophobic property of the surface of aperture 624. Subsequent the chip assembly may be placed on a controller (not shown) and the cover sealing tape is removed to release the reagent 610 onto the assay chip 615 by actuating corresponding valves and pumps described below. [0133] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate various embodiments for distributing fluids through the chip 1 of FIG. 1 by actuating the pump and valve structures described above. FIG. 12 illustrates a single driving force for distributing a reagent from a reagent reservoir 1205a among a plurality of microchannels 1220-1223 on a chip 1200. The single driving force is produced by an inlet valve 1215a and a drive diaphragm 1224 located in between the area of an inlet valve 1215a and an outlet valve 1225. These three valves may operate according to the peristaltic-like pumping mechanism described above with respect to FIG. 4 to transport fluid contents of reservoir 1205a among the outlet channels 1210-1213. Similarly, reagent contents of reservoirs 1205b-d may be delivered to outlet channels 1210-1213 via pumping action produced by respective ones of inlet valves 1215b-d, drive diaphragm 1224 and outlet valve 1225. This results in a "many-to-many" functionality wherein several reagents are being distributed to several outlet reservoirs. [0134] However, the tlow resistances of outlet channels 1210-1213 impact the fluid flow rate on assay channels 1220-1223. In particular, the flow rate in each channel of an assay chip is inversely proportional to the flow resistance of that channel. The outlet channels 1210-1213 may be fabricated to have different flow resistances if an application calls for different channels to have different respective flow rates. However, the sensitivity of flow rates to channel resistance is a detriment to reagent processing if the varying resistances among channels is unintentional. In particular, air bubbles formed during assay may result in varying flow resistances which cause an uneven distribution of reagent across the assay channels 1220-1223. [0135] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the chip 1 in FIG. 1 that overcomes the variation in flow rates resulting from varying channel flow resistances. Each assay channel 1310-1315 and each outlet channel 1360-1365 are associated with a respective fluid pump 1320-

1325. The amount of fluid delivered to the channel by each of the pumps 1320-1325 is relatively unaffected by variations in flow resistance among the assay channels 1310-1315 when the flow resistance is substantially smaller than the pneumatic driving force used to operate the fluid pumps 1320-1325. The channel-to-channel flow rate variation is dominated by the characteristics of pumps 1320-1325 rather than channel flow resistances. FlG. 13 illustrates a reagent from reagent reservoir 1350 being distributed (see arrows) among outlet channels 1360- 1365 via distribution valve 1352. In certain embodiments, a plurality of reagents from their respective reagent reservoirs 1350-1355 are delivered to the distribution valve 1352 wherein the reagents may be mixed to create a reagent mixture. In certain embodiments, the reagent or reagent mixture may be further distributed to selected assay channels 1310-1315, outlet reservoirs 1330-1335, and/or shuttle reservoirs 1340-1345.

[0136] FIG. 14 illustrates additional fluid distribution patterns of the microfluidic system shown in FIG. 1. In particular, each shuttle reservoir 1440-1445, assay channel 1410-1415 and outlet channel 1460-1462 are connected in series to form a fluid pump 1420-1425, wherein each fluid pump 1420-1425 provides bi-directional fluid flow to and from the respective micro- features. In one implementation, fluid pumps 1420-1425 provides bi-directional fluid flow between shuttle reservoirs 1440-1445 and outlet reservoirs 1430-1435 interconnected by the respective assay channels 1410-1415. In one implementation, a reagent in outlet reservoir 1432 is delivered through outlet channel 1461 and distribution valve 1462 to waste reservoir 1464. In one implementation, a reagent in shuttle reservoir 1443 is delivered to waste reservoir 1464 via outlet channel 1461 and distribution valve 1462. In one embodiment, different reagents or reagents of different concentrations may be introduced to the assay channels 1410-1415 from the corresponding shuttle reservoirs 1440-1445. Introducing reagents from shuttle reservoirs permits variability in assay channel conditions through tailored reagent delivery. [0137] As will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 19-20, the pumps and valves of FIG. 1 may be selectively and programmably actuated. In particular, by selectively actuating certain inlet valves 14, a user may release selected reagents stored in selected reagent reservoirs 12 and/or washing buffer stored in buffer reservoir 16. By selectively actuating channel pumps 44, a user may store these fluids in selected shuttle reservoirs 17 and outlet reservoirs 48, release these fluids stored in the selected shuttle reservoirs 17 and outlet reservoirs 48, and store these

fluids in waste reservoir 18. Thus a user is able to perform any desired combination of incubation / mixing / reacting / aspiration of the fluids in the reagent 12 and buffer 16 reservoirs. [0138] The microfluidic system 1000 of FIG. 10 separates the assay functionality from the reagent delivery functionality. In situations where a particular assay needs to be performed repeatedly, it may be more inconvenient to use a larger cartridge repeatedly than several smaller ones. In one example, the microfluidic system 1000 may be used to run a number of identical assays in parallel. Thus the reagent reservoirs 1035-1039 are provided with enough-reagents to run several assays, and the reagent chip 1010 supplies reagent to several chips as their respective assays are being performed. In another example, ducting chip 1015 may be used to duct used reagents from assay chip 1005 into reservoir 1040 on reagent chip 1005. The used reagent in reservoir 1040 is then ported to waste reservoir 1035 for disposal. Waste reservoir 1035 may be utilized to store used reagents from one or more assay chips.

[0139] The microfluidic system 1000 operates by flowing fluids from reagent reservoirs 1035-1039 into reservoir 1040. A fluid may be delivered from reservoir 1037 to reservoir 1040 via valve 1041 much like the process shown in FIG. 5c according to which a fluid from valve 550 is delivered toward valve 555 via valve 565. More specifically, actuating valve 1050 delivers fluid into channel 1072, actuating valve 1041 delivers fluid into channel 1073, and actuating valve 1055 delivers fluid into reservoir 1040. In another aspect, a fluid flows from reservoir 1040 into a reagent reservoir 1036 by a similar mechanism as that illustrated in FIG. 5c. For example, with valves 1055, 1041 and 1062 all in open states, actuating valve 1055 pushes fluid into channel 1073, actuating valve 1041 pushes fluid into channel 1064, and actuating valve 1062 pushes fluid into reservoir 1035.

[0140] As illustrated in FIG. 1 Ic, to conduct an assay of the invention using a microfluidic system 1100, the insert 1 107 is first deposited into an assay channel 1 130 through an opening of the outlet reservoir 1 134 that is located at the end of the assay channel 1 130 and has a width substantially the same as the width of the assay channel 1 130. The insert 1 107 is slid into the channel 1 130 until it spans a length 1 136 of the channel. In certain embodiments as illustrated according to FIG. 7, the insert is inserted into the assay channel 760 through channel void 730. In particular, the channel void 730 is provided with an open top in which the insert is disposed. The insert is slid into the channel 730 until it spans a length 762 of the covered portion of the

channel 760. After insertion, an adhesive cover may be placed over the channel void region 730 to form shuttle reservoirs at the end of the assay channel 760. fO141] FIG. 15a illustrates the insertion of an insert 1507, and in particular, shows an exemplary channel structure that facilitates the use of the insert 1507. The channel 1520, as shown from a cross-sectional view in FIG. 15b, is a stepped channel including a wide bottom portion 1522 and a narrow top portion 1524. The insert 2017 is inserted into the stepped channel 1520 such that it generally overlies membrane 1510, as shown in FIG. 15c. More specifically, FIG. 15c shows the insert 1507 having an aperture 1515 and a membrane disk 1525. The insert 1507 is situated in the channel 1520 such that the top surface of the membrane disk 1525 does not contact a top surface 1517 of the channel 1520, allowing for fluid in channel 1520 to flow around and contact the membrane disk 1525.

[0142] In one aspect, the insert is used to perform an assay similar in operation to a dot- ELISA method. The dot-ELISA is a method, known in the art, for detecting the presence of a target analyte within samples. Drawbacks of the conventional dot-ELISA process include difficulties with standardization. Many of the steps are often performed by hand in Petri dishes and the specification of these procedures is vague. Additionally, sample locations are hardly controllable. When sample is spotted on a membrane surface, the hydrophilicity of the material may lead to rapid sample spreading and diffusion. Larger sample amounts result in larger spotted areas. Moreover, since detection sensitivity is related to analyte density per unit area, this diffusion means that larger sample amounts do not necessarily result in lower detection limitation. The present invention employs a similar assay processing, but allows for standardized and more efficient handling, treatment, and analysis. In particular, samples are applied to a membrane disk 1 1 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 la-b. The samples are air dried, and then the insert 1 105 is disposed in an assay channel of a microfluidic chip, similar to that of FIG. 1. [0143] With reference to FIG. 1, the operation of the microfluidic chip 1 in performing assays will be discussed. Various reagents are stored in reagent reservoirs 12 for conducting on- chip immunoassay. The reagents include fluids that will be employed in a dot-ALIGA. More specifically, various reservoirs may include one or more washing buffers, antibody-conjugated immunogold or at least one component thereof, or sensitivity enhancing agents or at least one component thereof. In some cases, a buffer reservoir 16 may be used to store a washing buffer. The buffer reservoir 16 may feature a substantially larger void volume than the individual

reagent reservoir 12. The reagents are released from their respective reservoirs 12 by activating respective inlet valves 14 and then distributing the reagents throughout the assay channels 40 using the activation of distribution valve 25 and channel pumps 44. The washing buffer in buffer reservoir 16 may also be released into the assay channels 40 in a similar manner. The order and timing of release of the reagents and buffer from their respective reservoirs will correspond to the steps of the assay method used. By way of example, the reagents may correspond to the reagents described above with respect to the immunoassay process, and are released in accordance with the order and timing of the steps mentioned above. The released reagents flow through the assay channels 40 and contact the inserts 70 therein. With respect to FIG. 15c, a fluid flowing through the narrow portion 1524 of the stepped channel 1520 contacts and reacts with agents on the membrane disks 1525. Apertures 1515 provide for the possibility of additional fluid contact along a bottom side of the membrane disks 1525. [0144] As mentioned above, the channels may be provided with materials with which the fluid reagents react, i.e., reagents may flow through assay channels with membrane disks disposed therein, thereby causing the occurrence of interactions between the reagents and the analysts on the membrane disks. It may be desirable to allow dynamic flow conditions or longer incubation times for the reactions via multiple passes of the reaction reagent through channels. This is achieved in part by the bidirectional pumping functionality. In particular, with reference to FIG. 1 , the bidirectional channel pumps 44 are used to repeatedly shuttle a reagent back and forth between the shuttle reservoirs 17 and outlet reservoirs 48 along respective assay channels 40. This cycling action provides multiple passes for much greater efficiency at longer reaction time. The outlet reservoirs 48 and shuttle reservoirs 17 are directly vented to the atmosphere, thereby allowing release of air from the channels 40 during the pumping cycles. In certain examples, the void volume of each shuttle reservoir 17 and each outlet reservoir 48 are substantially larger than the void volume of each assay channel 40 so that reagents in the channels 40 may be stored in the reservoirs during the back and forth pumping action. After the assay operation, used reagents are then transported to the waste reservoir 18 for disposal. In one example, the void volume of waste reservoir 18 is substantially larger than the void volume of the buffer reservoir 16 for storing all used reagents and washing buffer after an assay operation. After the inserts are treated with different reagents, the color of the membrane disks may be observed for the presence of a target analyte in the samples.

[0145] The systems described herein bring several new assay advantages to a conventional dot- ELISA format assay. In particular, with reference to FIG. 11, the hydrophobic nature of the insert 1 107 along with the inherent surface tension of the liquid sample allows a user to apply a larger amount of sample to a membrane disk 1 1 10 without diffusion or spreading of the sample to other disks 1110 nearby. In one implementation, sample spotting onto the insert 1 107 is accomplished by placing the insert 1107 on an absorbent backing material such as a chromatograph paper with-membrane disk surface touching the paper. The combination of the water-absorbent ability of the backing material and the sample-retaining ability of the insert 1 107 give rise to rapid sample absorption and concentration effects during spotting. Furthermore, the sample droplet diffusion area is substantially defined by the area of the membrane disk 1 110. This results in several advantages, such as after a larger amount of sample has dried on the membrane disk, a higher density of sample within the area defined by the membrane disk 1110 is achieved. In addition, since there is less risk of diffusion and contamination of sample material between different membrane disks 11 10, the membrane disks 11 10 may be placed closer together than the sample spots 2210 would be placed on the monolithic membrane 2205 as shown in FIG. 22, thus resulting in improved space efficiency for on-chip processing and potential reagent savings. Moreover, placing the membrane disks 11 10 at predefined and well known locations along the insert 1107, with embedded barcodes or other identifiers on-chip, facilitates the use of the assay chip in automated data processing and image analysis methods that make data archiving for on-chip immunoassay results much more useful. [0146] FIG. 16a illustrates a plurality of inserts 1705 in channels after an assay has been performed. As shown, certain membrane disks 1710a have been colored as positive results by an enzyme-substrate reaction, indicating the presence of a target analyte in a sample disposed on the corresponding membrane disk. Other membrane disks 1710b are substantially not colored, indicating no target analyte in a sample disposed on the corresponding membrane disk. In a preferred arrangement, each insert 1705 includes eight membrane disks 1710. Each chip may include six or more assay channels, and therefore at least 48 samples may be assayed simultaneously.

[0147] In one implementation, an image analysis method is provided for the automated processing of on-chip immunoassay results. In particular, a microfluidic chip may be scanned utilizing, for example, a photo scanner or a digital camera to capture one or more colored images

of the inserts after an assay operation. FlG. 16a provides an exemplary image of an 8x6 sample- spotted array. In one embodiment, the scanned images may be stored in a handheld device for further off-line manipulation or sent to a remote computer for off-line image analysis. Image analysis software may then be used to analyze the color intensities of the membrane disks from the captured color images. The intensity of each membrane disk 1710 is subsequently digitized into pixels with a numerical value assigned to each pixel. By averaging the numerical values of the pixels for each membrane disk, one may systematically determine a color intensity value corresponding to the membrane disk 1710. FIG. 16b illustrates an exemplary array of color intensity values 1716 corresponding to the membrane disk array shown in FIG. 16a. [0148] In one embodiment, each membrane disk 1710 in a sample array is uniquely identifiable by a combination of a barcode embedded in the chip and a set of coordinates specifying the channel and insert positions at which a membrane disk is located. For example, as shown in FIG. 16a, a membrane disk 1710c on the upper-left corner of a chip that is bar- coded as CHIP-0001 may be labeled as CHIP-0001-Al, where Al indicates a combination of the column 1712 and row 1714 positions where the disk 1710c lies. Hence, placing the membrane disks 1710 at predefined locations on a bar-coded chip enables their corresponding color intensity values 1716 to be easily archived in a database for future reference. [0149] In one example, a protocol is provided for interpreting a color intensity value 1716 for identifying the presence of a target analyte in a sample disposed on the corresponding membrane disk 1710. According to the protocol, a threshold value is computed using negative control disks such that a color intensity value 1716 is interpreted as having a positive result for target analyte if the color intensity value is above the threshold value. FIG. 17 provides an illustration for determining the presence of a target analyte in eight exemplary samples. These samples are disposed on membrane disks 1814 and correspond to computed color intensity values 1812. The threshold value 1810 in this particular embodiment is 26.8 by arithmetically averaging Cl, Fl, B2, E2, H2, C3, F3, B5, E5 and H5 as shown in FIG. 16b . As shown, the membrane disks 1814 in positions A, B, D, E, G, H are identified as having coated with the target analyte-containing solution. This automated identification procedure reduces human reading errors, especially when interpreting samples, such as that in position F, where the corresponding color intensity 1814a is fairly close to the threshold value 1810.

[0150] The samples and target analytes for the assay may be any samples and targets suitable for use with immunoassay processes. The samples may include control samples and experimental samples. Experimental samples are generally taken from a subject with a condition of interest, and control samples generally mimic the subject but exclude the analyst of interest. Typically, experimental samples are taken from a potentially diseased patient. A subject may be, for example, a human, animal or plant. In specific embodiments, samples can include bodily fluids, discharges or effluents such as blood, urine, saliva, fecal matter, sputum, nasal discharges, tears, etc.

[0151] FIG. 18 shows a complete system including an assay chip 1905, a cartridge 1910, a controller 1915, and a computer 1920. The controller 1915 allows for automated control of the various pump and valve structures of the chip 1905. In particular, the chip 1905 includes pneumatic drivers 1920 (not shown) positioned to be substantially aligned with the pump and valve structures of the chip 1905. Positive or negative pneumatic pressure is applied via the drivers 1920 in accordance with input signals provided through input wires 1925. [0152] The computer 1920 may provide a user interface for controlling the controller 1915. A user may provide inputs specifying requirements on a particular assay run using a graphical user input provided by the computer 1920. The computer is electrically connected to the controller 1915 and provides signals to the controller 1915 so it acts in accordance with the user inputs.

[0153] FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment with an assay chip 2005 ducted to a separate reagent chip 2010 on a programmable controller 2015. The controller 2015 includes a group of pneumatic solenoid valves. Each of the pneumatic signals from the solenoid valves is routed through the chip to one or a series of microfluidic valves on a specific chip layout. For example, in one embodiment there is an individual solenoid valve connected to each of the corresponding reagent reservoirs 12 of FIG. 1, but all six of the channel pumps 44 are connected in parallel to a set of four solenoid valves so they may act together. There is a solenoid drive board in the controller 2015 that takes the signals from the computer and turns on the appropriate solenoid valve to actuate the required microfluidic valve. An electrical signal from the computer will cause a solenoid valve to switch from a normally pressurized state to a vacuum state. This opens the attached microfluidic valve. If a specific sequence of solenoid valve actuations is to be run repeatedly, the computer connection to the controller is not necessary. The

microprocessor on the control board includes a memory which may store the sequence and thus an assay may be run independently of external computer control.

[0154] As mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1, the microfluidic chip generally includes a top substrate 7, a bottom substrate 6, and a membrane 8 disposed therebetween. The microfeatures (e.g., pumps, valves, or reservoirs) are fabricated in one or more of the top substrate 7, the bottom substrate 6, and the membrane 8. In certain methods of fabrication, the top substrate 7 and the membrane 8 are laminated together, and similarly the membrane 8 and the bottom substrate 6 are laminated together. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0078470 Al (application Serial No. 10/964,216, entitled "Laminated microfluidic structures and method for making" by Zhou et al.) discloses laminated, polymeric microfluidic structures and methods for making such structures. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0155] While any lamination method known in the art may be used, in one aspect these layers are laminated by: 1) using a weak solvent bonding agent, and 2) laminating the layers under mild conditions, such as under low heat or low pressure. This is beneficial at least in part because this lamination method reduces or eliminates damage to the microfeatures during the lamination process. More particularly, in an exemplary use, the weak solvent bonding agent is applied to one or both surfaces to be adhered, and then mild pressure (e.g., from moderate heat or moderate physical pressure pressing the surfaces together) adheres the surfaces. [0156] According to an aspect, the weak solvent bonding agent may be chemically defined as:

R1 R3— C— CN

R2 where Rl = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent, R2 = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent, and R2 = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent. [0157] Alternatively, the weak solvent may have a chemical formula of:

H

R2— C— CN R1

where Rl = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent, and R2 = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent.

[0158] Alternatively, the weak solvent may have a chemical formula of:

H

R1 — C— CN H

where Rl = H, OH or R, where R = alkyl, or is absent.

[0159] In a particular aspect, the weak solvent bonding agent is acetonitrile. Acetonitrile is a versatile solvent that is widely used in analytical chemistry and other applications. It is 100% miscible with water and exhibits excellent optical properties. The ability of acetonitrile to have little or no effect on polymeric surfaces under ambient conditions but adhere to surfaces under moderate pressure makes it highly suitable for laminating polymeric materials such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylic and other linear polymers. For example, microstructures disposed on a polystyrene substrate that was treated with acetonitrile at room temperature for at least several minutes did not exhibit any noticeable feature damage. [0160] While some materials may be more susceptible to damage from acetonitrile than polystyrene, this increased susceptibility may be controlled by applying the acetonitrile at a lower temperature or, alternatively, by using a combination of acetonitrile and other inert solvents.

[0161] An additional benefit of acetonitrile-based lamination is that the process allows substrate alignment for structures containing multi-component layers or fluid networks constructed utilizing both a cover plate and a base plate. Unlike conventional strong solvent lamination, which tends to penetrate the polymeric surface and create a tacky bonding surface within seconds of solvent application, acetonitrile at room temperature may gently soften the surface. When two surfaces with acetonitrile disposed thereon are placed in contact at lower temperature prior to applying pressure, an operator may slide the two surfaces against each other to adjust their alignment. After aligning the surfaces, the operator may then apply pressure to the surfaces to laminate them together.

[0162] 5.2 Virus detection using sensitivity-enhanced dot-ALIGA

[0163] In another aspect, system and method for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample is provided. In one embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus. In a specific embodiment, the influenza virus is an avian influenza virus (AlV).

[0164] In one embodiment, a method is provided for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample comprising the steps of: obtaining the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest; providing an insert for performing a dot-ALIGA; applying to the insert the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest; providing a microfiuidic device comprising a channel disposed therein; inter-fitting the insert within the channel; and performing the dot-ALIGA in the microfiuidic device to detect an antigen of the virus of interest, wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate.

[0165] In another embodiment, the system and method uses sensitivity-enhanced dot

ALIGA-based detection of the virus. In one aspect, antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles are used in the sensitivity-enhanced dot-ALIGA as virus-specific immunoassay binding agents.

Immunogold reagents comprising antibody-conjugated (antibody-labeled) gold nanoparticles for use in dot-ALIGA can be made using standard methods known in the art.

[0166] The virus detection limitation of the sensitivity-enhanced dot-ALIGA can be comparable to a conventional microtiter plate-based ELISA and about 2 ^s times more sensitive than a hemagglutination assay.

[0167] In another embodiment, the dot-ALIGA is a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA and wherein the anti-virus antibody is an anti-virus monoclonal antibody (mAb). Any polyclonal or monoclonal anti-virus antibody known in the art can be used, including commercially available antibodies and antibodies produced by methods well-known in the art.

[0168] In another embodiment, the components of the fluid materials can be introduced separately or made to flow through the channel in separate steps, and/or drawn away from the insert in separate steps. For example, separate components of the first fluid material comprising anti-vims antibody-labeled colloidal gold can be introduced separately or made to flow through the channel in separate steps, and/or drawn away from the insert in separate steps. In another embodiment, separate components of the second fluid material comprising the sensitivity enhancement reagent can be introduced separately or made to flow through the channel in separate steps, and/or drawn away from the insert in separate steps. For example, in one embodiment, a solution of hydroxylamine chloride (or Z,(+)-ascorbic acid) and a solution of chloroauric acid can be introduced separately or made to flow through the channel in separate steps, and/or drawn away from the insert in separate steps.

[0169] The components of fluid materials can be stored in separate reservoirs or mixed and stored in one reservoir.

[0170] In another embodiment, the method additionally comprises, before the step of flowing the first fluid material through the channel, the steps of: flowing a fluid comprising a blocking agent through the channel to contact the insert therein for a time sufficient to block non-specific binding sites on the insert; and drawing the fluid comprising the blocking agent away from the insert.

[0171] Any blocking agent known in the art can be use, e.g., bovine serum albumin (BSA), nonfat milk powder, gelatin or casein.

[0172] In another embodiment, the method additionally comprises, before the step of detecting an interaction on the insert, the steps of: flowing a fluid comprising a washing reagent or buffer through the channel to contact the insert therein for a time sufficient to wash the insert; and drawing the washing reagent or buffer away from the insert.

[0173] The washing reagent or buffer can be any suitable standard buffer known in the art, e.g., PBS or Tris buffer.

[0174] In another embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus. [0175] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is selected from the group consisting of avian influenza virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, influenza C virus, canine influenza virus, feline influenza virus, equine influenza virus and swine flu virus. [0176] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is avian influenza virus (AIV). [0177] The insert can comprise any suitable membrane known in the art such as a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane.

[0178] The sensitivity enhancement reagent can comprise hydroxylamine chloride and chloroauric acid. In specific embodiments, the concentration of hydroxylamine chloride can be in the range of 0.001 - 0.01 mM, 0.01 - 0.1 mM, 0.1 - 1.0 mM, 1.0 - 10.0 mM, 10.0 - 100.0 mM, or 100.0 mM - 1.0 M. In other specific embodiments, the concentration of chloroauric acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1 %, 0.1 - 1.0%. 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%. [0179] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.1 - 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 1 - 10% chloroauric acid.

[0180] In a specific embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 1-5% chloroauric acid.

[0181] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises L(+)-ascorbic acid and chloroauric acid. In specific embodiments, the concentration of L(+)-ascorbic acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1%, 0.1 - 1.0%, 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%. In other specific embodiments, the concentration of chloroauric acid can be in the range of 0.01 - 0.1%, 0.1 - 1.0%. 1.0 - 10.0% or 10.0 - 20.0%.

[0182] In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.1 - 1.0%

L(+)-ascorbic acid and 1 - 10% chloroauric acid.

[01831 In another embodiment, the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises 0.15% £(+)- ascorbic acid and 1 -5% chloroauric acid.

[0184] A sensitivity enhancement reagent can be used as a single (mixed) reagent or mixture, or at least one component of the enhancement reagent can be applied or used separately in the assay. For example, if the sensitivity enhancement reagent comprises hydroxylamine chloride and chloroauric acid, separate solutions of hydroxylamine chloride and of chloroauric acid can be used.

[0185] In another embodiment, the detecting step detects the presence of the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate in the range of 0.015 - 0.02 HAU.

[0186] In another embodiment, flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material comprises actuating a distribution valve to flow a reagent from a reagent reservoir to a plurality of outlet reservoirs.

[0187] In another embodiment, flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material comprises repeatedly shuttling the first fluid material or the second fluid material in a first direction towards a first reservoir connected to the channel and in a second direction towards a second reservoir connected to the channel, wherein a distribution valve coupled to the channel substantially confines the fluid material in the channel when the distribution valve is in a closed state.

[0188] In another embodiment, drawing the first fluid material or the second fluid material away from the insert comprises flowing the first fluid material or the second fluid material in at least one of a first direction towards a first reservoir connected to the channel and a second direction towards a second reservoir connected to the channel.

[0189] In another embodiment, the method further comprising transporting waste from the channel to a waste reservoir connected to the channel.

[0190] In another embodiment, detecting the interaction comprises visualization of color intensity, fluorescence intensity or chemiluminescence intensity.

[0191] In another embodiment, detecting the interaction comprises generating an intensity value corresponding to at least one sample of the insert.

[0192] In another embodiment, the intensity value is selected from the group consisting of color intensity value, fluorescence intensity value and chemiluminescence intensity value. fO193] In another embodiment, generating the color intensity value comprises: digitizing a color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence image) corresponding to the sample to generate a plurality of pixels: providing a plurality of numerical values for respective ones of the plurality of pixels; and averaging the plurality of numerical values to provide the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value.

[0194] In another embodiment, the method further comprises computing a threshold value and comparing the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value to the threshold value to detect the interaction.

[0195] In another embodiment, the method further comprises storing at least one of the color (or fluorescence or chemiluminescence) intensity value and the threshold value in a database. [0196] In another embodiment, the threshold value is computed using at least one negative control sample.

[0197] In another embodiment, a method is provided for detecting an avian influenza virus (AIV) in a field or clinical sample comprising the steps of: obtaining the field or clinical sample suspected of containing AIV; providing an insert for performing a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA; applying to the insert the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the AIV; providing a microfluidic device comprising a channel disposed therein; inter-fitting the insert within the channel; and performing the monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA in the microfluidic device to detect an AIV antigen, wherein the monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the AIV antigen in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the AIV to bind together to form an AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert;

flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the AIV antigen-bound anti-AlV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the AIV antigen-bound anti-AIV monoclonal antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate. [0198] An apparatus is also provided for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample. The apparatus can comprise a microfluidic device such as the one described hereinabove. The microfluidic device comprises a channel disposed therein. The apparatus further comprises an insert for performing a dot- ALIGA, wherein the insert is capable of being inter-fitted within the channel and wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate.

[0199] In one embodiment, the dot-ALIGA is a monoclonal antibody-based dot-ALIGA.

[0200] In another embodiment, the anti-virus antibody is an anti-virus monoclonal antibody

(mAb).

[0201 ] In another embodiment, the virus of interest is an influenza virus.

[0202] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is selected from the group consisting of an avian influenza virus, an influenza A virus, an influenza B virus, an influenza C virus, a canine influenza virus, a feline influenza virus, an equine influenza virus and a swine flu virus.

[0203] In another embodiment, the influenza virus is an avian influenza virus (AIV).

[0204] A kit for detecting a virus of interest in a field or clinical sample is also provided. In one embodiment, the kit comprises in one or more containers: a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises a channel disposed therein; and an insert for performing a dot-ALIGA, wherein the insert is capable of being inter- fitted within the channel and wherein the dot-ALIGA comprises: flowing a first fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the first fluid material comprises anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold, wherein the anti-virus antibody is an antibody directed against the virus of interest, for a time sufficient to allow the anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold and the antigen of the virus of interest in the field or clinical sample suspected of containing the virus of interest to bind together to form an antigen- bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the first fluid material away from the insert; flowing a second fluid material through the channel to contact the insert therein, wherein the second fluid material comprises a sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof and wherein the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof is capable of interacting with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate, for a time sufficient to allow interaction with the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody- labeled colloidal gold conjugate; drawing the second fluid material away from the insert; and detecting an interaction on the insert, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the antigen-bound anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold conjugate.

[0205] In one embodiment, the kit additionally comprises in one or more containers the first fluid material comprising anti-virus antibody-labeled colloidal gold or at least one component thereof.

[0206] In another embodiment, the kit additionally comprises in one or more containers the second fluid material comprising the sensitivity enhancement reagent or at least one component thereof.

[0207] The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation,

6. EXAMPLES

[0208] 6.1 Example 1 : Sensitivity enhanced dot- ALIGA for detection of AIV

[0209] This example demonstrates the enhanced detection of AIV by employing a sensitivity enhancement reagent, a solution of 0.15% Z,(+)-ascorbic acid and 1% chloroauric acid, in a dot-

ALIGA The detection limit of the method was significantly increased, and is approximately 2 ⁵ more sensitive than conventional dot-ELlSA procedures, thereby rivaling the limits of microtiter plate-based colorimetric ELISA procedures.

[0210] Colloidal gold preparation

[021 1] Methods for colloidal gold preparation were modified after Ma and Sui (2002, Naked-Eye Sensitive Detection of Immunoglobulin G by Enlargement of Au Nanoparticles In Vitro, Angew. Chem. 1 14(12): 2280-2283). Colloidal gold was prepared by the sodium citrate reduction method. Briefly, 1.0 ml of the 0.01% chloroauric acid was heated to the boiling point followed with addition of 1.2 ml of 1% sodium citrate to the solution. The reaction mixture was kept in reflux for approximately 5 min until the color turned dark red.

[0212] Monoclonal antibody labeling

[0213] To make gold nanoparticles labeled with (or conjugated to) anti-AIV monoclonal antibody (mAb), 10 ml of colloidal gold, pH 8.7-9.0, was added to anti-AIV mAb in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, 0.2 mg/ml until the final mAb concentration in the reaction solution reached 10-20 μg/ml. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, followed with addition of 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) to a final concentration of 1%. The reaction solution was

continuously stirred for another 15 min at room temperature and the precipitate was discarded after low-speed centrifugation. The reaction product in the supernatant was precipitated by centrifugation at 13000 rpm, 4 ⁰ C for 30 min and was re-suspended in 0.01 M TBS (Tris buffered saline, pH 8.2 with 1% BSA). This process was repeated once to completely remove free proteins in solution. The gold-conjugated mAb particle was re-suspended in 10 ml TBS (pH 8.2, 0.02% Na ₃ N, 1% Sucralose, 1% BSA). and stored at 4°C until use.

[0214] dot- ALIG A

[0215] 2.0 μl anti-AIV polyclonal antibody in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was spotted in 2 rows (one row for the sensitivity enhanced test and one row for the control/reference test) onto a 0.45 μM nitrocellulose (NC) membrane strip (Millipore Corp.) and air dried. The NC strip was blocked with 1% BSA at room temperature for 15 min and rinsed 3 times with PBS. Reference AIV in two-fold serial dilution was then spotted onto the polyclonal antibody spots, 2.0 μl/spot. The NC strip was allowed to incubate at room temperature for 15 min followed with 3X PBS washing. The NC strip was then treated with gold-conjugated anti-AIV mAb for 15 min and washed with PBS extensively to minimize background color caused by non-specific binding. For sensitivity enhancement, each sampling spot was treated with a sensitivity enhancement reagent, a solution of 0.15% Z.(+)-ascorbic acid and 1% chloroauric acid, at room temperature for a few minutes and stopped by washing the strip in distilled water. FIG. 20 shows that the two-fold serial dilution of reference virus was detected using the gold-conjugated anti- AIV antibody. The top row was treated with the sensitivity enhancement reagent and a spot can clearly be seen as low as 2 ^'16 HA titer. The bottom row was not treated with sensitivity enhancement reagent.

[0216] 6.2 Example 2: Sensitivity enhanced dot-ALIGA for detection of AIV [0217] This example demonstrates the enhanced detection of AIV by employing a solution of 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 5% chloroauric acid as a sensitivity enhancement reagent in an indirect dot-ALIGA.

[0218] Colloidal gold preparation and monoclonal antibody labeling

[0219] Colloidal gold was prepared as described above in Example 1. The pH value of the colloidal gold was adjusted to 8.5-9.2 by dropwise addition of 1% K ₂ CO ₃ . Monoclonal antibody against avian influenza H9N2 subtype virus was centrifuged at 10,00Og for Ih at 4 ⁰ C, the supernatant was removed and the rnAb concentration was adjusted to 1 mg/ml with phosphate buffer saline (PBS, 8.0 g of NaCl, 0.2 g KH ₂ PO ₄ , 1.28 g Na ₂ HPO ₄ -H ₂ O, 0.2g KCl, 1000 ml distilled H ₂ O, pH 7.4). The final anti-AIV mAb-labeled colloidal gold solution contained 10 μg/ml mAb and 1% BSA.

[0220] dot-ALIGA

[0221] 2.0 μl aliquots of the reference strain of avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 were spotted with a two-fold serial dilution of HA unit (HAU) onto a nitrocellulose membrane. The membrane was dried at room temperature for at least 30 min before it was treated with 1% BSA in a Petri dish for 30 min and air dried. The colloidal gold was then applied to the test spots and was allowed to flow through the membrane placed on top of a piece of wet blotting paper under the influence of capillary action. After rinsing with washing buffer, each test spot was treated with a sensitivity enhancement reagent, a solution of 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 5% chloroauric acid, until the color developed. The reaction was stopped by rinsing the test membrane with washing buffer.

[0222] The results are shown in FIG. 21. Two vertical test columns ("SE" and "WO SE") were spotted with the AIV reference strain and two vertical test columns ("SEC" and "WO SEC") were spotted with negative controls. The SE and WO SE columns were spotted with a two-fold serial dilution of the reference AIV strain and treated with (SE) or without (WO SE) sensitivity enhancement reagent. The SEC and WO SEC control columns were spotted with a two-fold serial dilution of negative control fluid (buffer without virus) and treated with (SEC) or without (WO SEC) the sensitivity enhancement reagent. The text to the right of the test columns indicates the dilution factor. 1 HAU corresponds to a 27-fold dilution of the original virus. As calculated from the results in column 1, the sensitivity enhanced treatment has detection sensitivity as low as 0.016 HAU, which is approximately a ten-fold improvement on the sensitivity of current rapid detection methods used in the art, such as the widely used colloidal gold-based lateral flow assay.

[0223] 6.3 Example 3: Sensitivity enhanced dot-ALIGA for detection of AlV in microfluidic chip format

[0224] This example demonstrates that the sensitivity-enhanced dot-ALIGA for detection of AIV can be adapted for use in a microfluidic chip format.

[0225] Colloidal gold preparation and monoclonal antibody labeling

[0226] Colloidal gold was prepared as described above in Examples 1 and 2. Monoclonal antibody labeling was carried out as described above in Example 2,

[0227] On-chip dot-ALIGA

[0228] 1.0 μl of the reference strain of avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 and negative controls with a two-fold serial dilution of HA unit were spotted onto the nitrocellulose disk of a sample insert (shown in FlG. 1 Ia), dried at room temperature and inserted into assay channels

630-635 depicted in FIG 6b.

[0229] 2% BSA, anti-AIV mAb labeled colloidal gold, washing buffer, 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 5% chloroauric acid were loaded into respective reagent reservoirs

612 and washing buffer reservoir 616 respectively. The shuttle reservoirs 617 and outlet reservoirs 61 1 were then attached to the six channel assay chip 615. The on-chip dot-ALIGA assay was carried by sequentially pumping the following solutions through each processing channel:

1. 2% BSA (blocking agent)

2. anti-AIV mAb-labeled colloidal gold

3. washing buffer

4. 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 5% chloroauric acid (sensitivity enhancement reagent)

5. washing buffer

[0230] To facilitate each step of the reaction, reagent or washing buffer were shuttled between the shuttle reservoir 617 and outlet reservoir 611. All waste agents and washing buffer were stored in the waste reservoir 618.

[0231] The results of the on-chip sensitivity enhanced dot-ALIGA are shown in FIG. 22. The numbers in the top row (HAU/SE) at membrane disk positions 1, 3, 5 and 8 indicate that

these disks are spotted with 1.0 μl of HA unit of two-fold diluted reference strain of avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 while the numbers in the bottom row (SEC) at the membrane disk positions 2, 4, 6, 7 indicate that these disks are spotted with 1.0 μl of two-fold diluted negative controls. The results show that AIV is detectable in samples at a level of 0.016 HA unit. This is about ten times more sensitive than the conventional, widely used colloidal gold-based lateral flow assay.

[0232] In another set of experiments, 0.1-5% Z-(+)-ascorbic acid was used as a reducing

(sensitivity enhancement) agent, rather than 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride. All steps were performed as described above except that in step 4, a solution of 0.15% £(+)-ascorbic acid and

5% chloroauric acid was pumped through each assay channel instead of a solution 1.0 mM hydroxylamine chloride and 5% chloroauric acid. The results (not shown) also indicated that

AIV is detectable in samples at a level of about 0.016 HA unit.

[0233] These results demonstrate that the sensitivity enhanced dot-ALIGA assay can be used in a microfluidic chip format to provide enhanced sensitivity and detection of AIV as low as approximately 0.02 HAU, which is approximately a ten-fold improvement on the sensitivity of current methods used in the art.

[0234] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0235] All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0236] The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.