A voice-activated system for the hands-free handling of DNA samples could be a valuable tool for laboratory researchers. By allowing them to control certain laboratory equipment with their voice, researchers would be able to minimize physical contact with potentially hazardous samples and reduce the risk of contamination.
People use smart voice assistants to get quick answers or to play their favorite music. This same technology has the potential to make laboratories safer for scientists and technicians who work with potentially infectious samples. Researchers in the journal ACS Sensors have developed a small, voice-activated device that can extract and pretreat bacterial DNA, assisting in the protection of those on the front lines of disease outbreaks. The system could also make it easier for scientists with disabilities to conduct research.
To avoid accidental infection, scientists working with pathogen-containing samples must use the smallest amounts possible. On-site sample analysis is also ideal for rapid diagnosis of highly contagious bacterial diseases. Furthermore, scientists with visual or other physical impairments may struggle to operate complex instruments, particularly those designed for small volumes. Hands-free devices that respond quickly to voice commands may make this process simpler and safer. Tae Seok Seo and colleagues wanted to do just that, so they combined a speech recognition app with a miniaturized extraction system.
The system currently requires the user to touch the smartphone to activate the speech recognition software, but the researchers believe that with the addition of virtual assistant software, the entire operation could be made completely hands-free in the future.
The researchers created a microfluidic chip with multiple chambers connected by six 3-way solenoid valves controlled by a microcontroller linked to a Bluetooth module. The 11-ounce palm-sized device could be powered by a portable battery or a 5V smartphone charger. The team then customized a smartphone app to listen for specific voice commands using existing speech recognition software. Here’s how it works:
- Once a user says one of the operation commands out loud, the app wirelessly sends an initiation signal to the micro-controller.
- After receiving the signal, the micro-controller automatically starts a series of steps, including sample loading, washing and releasing the purified DNA into a collection chamber.
The system currently requires the user to touch the smartphone to activate the speech recognition software, but the researchers believe that with the addition of virtual assistant software, the entire operation could be made completely hands-free in the future.
The voice-controlled device extracted DNA from Salmonella Typhimurium in tests, purifying a 10-µL sample with a 70% efficiency in less than a minute. Although the system performed less well than a traditional DNA extraction kit, the researchers claim that its voice control, portability, and quick automation make it ideal for convenient and safe bacterial DNA testing.
The system would work by incorporating voice recognition technology and connecting it to laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, pipettes, and thermocyclers. Researchers would simply need to give voice commands to perform specific tasks, such as “start centrifuge” or “transfer 10 microliters of sample.”
This type of system could also improve the efficiency of laboratory procedures by freeing up the researcher’s hands to perform other tasks while the equipment is running. Additionally, it could reduce the possibility of human error by eliminating manual steps in the DNA handling process.
