Isothermal real-time polymerase chain reaction detection of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 on a light-actuated digital microfludics platform

We report on a light-actuated digital microfluidics platform for real-time, isothermal helicase-dependent polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This platform is used to detect Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). Reagents in droplets are individually addressed, mixed, transported and arrayed on-chip before the PCR process. 16 droplets were formed from mixing 400 nl PCR master mix droplets with 35 nl HSV-1 viral lysate droplets, arrayed into a 4×4 matrix, and amplified simultaneously, all on chip. Amplification and detection of HSV-1 can be achieved within 45 minutes. No cross contamination was observed.