VectorDisk: A Microfluidic Platform Integrating Diagnostic Markers for Evidence-Based Mosquito Control

• Main Authors: Sebastian Hin, Desirée Baumgartner, Mara Specht, Jan Lüddecke, Ehsan Mahmodi Arjmand, Benita Johannsen, Larissa Schiedel, Markus Rombach, Nils Paust, Felix von Stetten, Roland Zengerle, Nadja Wipf, Pie Müller, Konstantinos Mavridis, John Vontas, Konstantinos Mitsakakis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Processes
• Subjects: microfluidics; LabDisk; vector-borne diseases; malaria; arboviruses; insecticide resistances
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/8/12/1677

Effective mosquito monitoring relies on the accurate identification and characterization of the target population. Since this process requires specialist knowledge and equipment that is not widely available, automated field-deployable systems are highly desirable. We present a centrifugal microfluidic cartridge, the VectorDisk, which integrates TaqMan PCR assays in two feasibility studies, aiming to assess multiplexing capability, specificity, and reproducibility in detecting disk-integrated vector-related assays. In the first study, pools of 10 mosquitoes were used as samples. We tested 18 disks with 27 DNA and RNA assays each, using a combination of multiple microfluidic chambers and detection wavelengths (geometric and color multiplexing) to identify mosquito and malaria parasite species as well as insecticide resistance mechanisms. In the second study, purified nucleic acids served as samples to test arboviral and malaria infective mosquito assays. Nine disks were tested with 14 assays each. No false positive results were detected on any of the disks. The coefficient of variation in reproducibility tests was <10%. The modular nature of the platform, the easy adaptation of the primer/probe panels, the cold chain independence, the rapid (2–3 h) analysis, and the assay multiplexing capacity are key features, rendering the VectorDisk a potential candidate for automated vector analysis.