A microfluidic system for saliva-based detection of infectious diseases

A '' lab-on-a-chip '' system for detecting bacterial pathogens in oral fluid samples is described. The system comprises: (1) an oral fluid sample collector; (2) a disposable, plastic microfluidic cassette ('' chip '') for sample processing including immunochromatographic assay with a nitrocellulose lateral now strip; (3) a platform that controls the cassette operation by providing metered quantities of reagents, temperature regulation, valve actuation; and (4) a laser scanner to interrogate the lateral flow strip. The microfluidic chip hosts a fluidic network for cell lysis, nucleic acid extraction and isolation, PCR, and labeling of the PCR product With bioconjugated, upconverting phosphor particles for detection on the lateral flow strip.