National University of Singapore

Institute of Microelectronics

Other

Tie Yan

Toong Jin Lam

Jiangyan He

Yanfei Xu

Bensheng Ju

Zhiyuan Gong

Yu Jau Chen

Quanbo Zou

Tit Meng Lim

Uppili Sridhar

Emmanuel Selvanayagam Zachariah

Janak Singh

Chew Kiat Heng

Four zebrafish gene promoters, which are skin specific, muscle specific, skeletal muscle specific and ubiquitously expressed respectively, were isolated and ligated to the 5' end of the EGFP gene. When the resulting chimeric gene constructs were introduced into zebrafish, the transgenic zebrafish emit green fluorescence under a blue light or ultraviolet light according to the specificity of the promoters used. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence patterns, e.g., skin fluorescence, muscle fluorescence, skeletal muscle-specific and/or ubiquitous fluorescence, are developed.

Chimeric gene constructs for generation of fluorescent transgenic ornamental fish

Sale of fluorescent transgenic ornamental fish

Sale of transgenic fish that express gene encoding fluorescent protein

Four zebrafish gene promoters, which are skin specific, muscle specific, skeletal muscle specific and ubiquitously expressed, respectively, were isolated and ligated to the 5' end of the EGFP gene. When the resulting chimeric gene constructs were introduced into zebrafish, the transgenic zebrafish emit green fluorescence under a blue light or ultra-violet light according to the specificity of the promoters used. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence patters, e.g., skin fluorescence, muscle fluorescence, skeletal muscle-specific and/or ubiquitous fluorescence, are developed.

Formation of micro-fluidic systems is normally achieved using a multi-wafer fabrication procedure. The present invention teaches how a complete micro-fluidic system can be implemented on a single chip. The invention uses only dry etch processes to form micro-chambers. In particular, it makes use of deep reactive ion etching whereby multiple trenches of differing depths may be formed simultaneously. Buried micro-chambers are formed by isotropically increasing trench widths using an etchant that does not attack the mask so the trenches grow wider beneath the surface until they merge. Deposition of a dielectric layer over the trenches allows some trenches to be sealed and some to be left open. Micro-pumps are formed by including in the micro-chamber roof a layer that is used to change chamber volume either through electrostatically induced motion or through thermal mismatch as a result of its being heated.

Process to fabricate an integrated micro-fluidic system on a single wafer

The invention describes a thermal cycler which permits simultaneous treatment of multiple individual samples in independent thermal protocols, so as to implement large numbers of DNA experiments simultaneously in a short time. The chamber is thermally isolated from its surroundings, heat flow in and out of the unit being limited to one or two specific heat transfer areas. All heating elements are located within these transfer areas and at least one temperature sensor per heating element is positioned close by. Fluid bearing channels that facilitate sending fluid into, and removing fluid from, the chamber are provided. The chambers may be manufactured as integrated arrays to form units in which each cycler chamber has independent temperature and fluid flow control. Two embodiments of the invention are described together with a process for manufacturing them.

Miniaturized thermal cycler

The invention describes a thermal cycler which permits simultaneous treatment of multiple individual samples in independent thermal protocols, so as to implement large numbers of DNA experiments simultaneously in a short time. The chamber is thermally isolated from its surroundings, heat flow in and out of the unit being limited to one or two specific heat transfer areas. All heating elements are located within these transfer areas and at least one temperature sensor per heating element is positioned close by. Fluid bearing channels that facilitate sending fluid into, and removing fluid from, the chamber are provided. The chambers may be manufactured as integrated arrays to form units in which each cycler chamber has independent temperature and fluid flow control. Two embodiments of the invention are described together with a process for manufacturing them as well as two schemes for making connections to the outside world.

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Tie Yan