Integrated microfluidic device using a single universal aptamer to detect multiple types of influenza viruses

DNA aptamers that can bind specific molecular targets have great potential as probes for microbial diagnostic applications. However, aptamers may change their conformation under different operating conditions, thus affecting their affinity and specificity towards the target molecules. In this study, a new integrated microfluidic system was developed that exploited the predictable change in conformation of a single universal influenza aptamer exposed to differing ion concentrations in order to detect multiple types of the influenza virus. Furthermore, the fluorescent-labeled universal aptamer used in this system could distinguish and detect three different influenza viruses (influenza A H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B) at the same time in 20 min and therefore has great potential for point-of-care applications requiring rapid diagnosis of influenza viruses.