* Ave. INTDEN = Average of ImageJ integrated density values from three Fluorimeter images
Bayesian Statistics
These following conditional statistics are based upon all of the DNA detection system results that were obtained in the PCR lab for 20 hypothetical patients who were diagnosed as either having cancer or not having cancer.
Calculation 1: The probability that the sample actually has the cancer DNA sequence, given a positive diagnostic signal.
A = The frequency of positive cancer DNA sequence conclusions = 9/20 = .45
B = The frequency of total positive DNA sequences in tests = 26/60 = .43333
P (B|A)= The frequency of total positive DNA sequences in tests given a positive conclusion = 25/26 = .962
P(A|B) = .962
Calculation 3: The probability that the patient will develop cancer, given a cancer DNA sequence.
A = The frequency of a "yes" cancer diagnosis = 11/20 = .55
B = The frequency of a positive cancer diagnosis = 9/20 = .45
P (B|A) = The frequency of positive cancer given a "yes" diagnosis = [frequency shown as a fraction] = [final numerical value]
P(A|B) = [answer]
New System: Design Strategy
We concluded that a good system Must Have:
Results which are easily determined - When doing any kind of diagnostic test, having a clear result is imperative. A system which only distinguishes a positive from a negative result by a narrow margin is not nearly as clear as a system that has a clear distinction between the two. This is even more critical when testing for serious conditions such as cancer because an unclear result may cause a patient to not undergo necessary treatment or to live in fear unnecessarily. Neither option is beneficial.
Small Sample volume - We need our system to be able to use small volumes of sample material. A system which requires large volumes of sample necessitates large volumes to be collected from a patient. This may result in several issues, the first being the toll on the patient of having it removed. The second problem becomes that of storing and processing a large volume. Smaller samples allow for higher volumes of tests to be done on a single patient's sample as well as multiple patients' samples to be tested in a high throughput method.
We concluded that we would Want a good system to have:
Fewer steps - Each step allows another opportunity for error. Additional steps also require more hands-on time for processing, reducing the efficiency of the over-all process.
High volume throughput - In a practical setting, multiple samples are likely to be in line for processing. Even when only doing 3 repetitions of 2 patients, the ability to do more of the process simultaneously would increase the number of readings which could be done per hour or per day. This would allow for more responsive diagnosis and treatment of the patients.
We concluded that a good system Must Not Have:
Easy to mix samples during imaging - This is a source of error that can very easily be eliminated. Contamination of the samples in the very last step in which they are used is an unnecessary and unwanted source of potential incorrect readings.
Fire Hazard - Safety issues take precedence. A slightly increased cost to raise the safety quality of an electric item which intentionally produces heat is a cost worth accepting.
We concluded that a good system Should Avoid:
Minute adjustments of the phone - Adjustment and careful placement of the phone with each picture is a very time-consuming step in this process. Elimination of this procedure would aid in our other goals of higher volume and more streamlined processing.
Manual processing of the images - Manual image processing is very time consuming. The processing step alone takes significant amounts of time. Additionally, because the processing is manual, there is more room for error. The area selected is unlikely to be always consistent; the variations in reflections might be improperly included or excluded. An automatic image processing system would eliminate time and error from this procedure.
New System: Machine/ Device Engineering
SYSTEM DESIGN
KEY FEATURES
We chose to include these new features
Micro-well plate - using a micro-well plate for the samples will dramatically reduce the chance of samples inadvertently mixing together. It also lends itself to a high through put system, allowing for up to 92 sample runs and controls to be prepared simultaneously.
Micro-well plate Reader - "reading" the samples with the micro-well plate reader will accomplish many of our goals. It allows for high volume processing by measuring multiple samples simultaneously. Using the reader will also eliminate the manual image processing required by use of the fluorimeter/camera/ImageJ system as the reader produces numerical results for each well.
INSTRUCTIONS
New System: Protocols
DESIGN
We chose to include these new approaches/ features
Feature 1 - explanation of how this addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Feature 2 - explanation of how this addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Etc.
[OR]
We chose keep the protocols the same as the original system
Feature 1 - explanation of how a pre-existing feature addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Feature 2 - explanation of how a pre-existing feature addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Etc.
MATERIALS
Supplied in Kit
Supplied by User
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PROTOCOLS
PCR Protocol
Thermal Cycler Program
Stage 1
95°C for 3 minutes: Initial DNA strand is separated. Stage 2
35 cycles of the following steps, each with a duration of 30 seconds:
95°C: Double strands of DNA separate.
57°C: Primers attach at ends of target DNA segment.
72°C: DNA polymerase activates and replicates target segment of DNA.
Stage 3
Final Hold 4°C for 3 minutes: PCR reaction is stopped.
PCR Reaction Mix
Taq DNA polymerase
MgCl2
dNTP's
DNA Sample/Primer Mix
Extracted sample of a particular patient's DNA
Forward Primer
Reverse Primer
DNA Sample Set-up Procedure
Prepare the PCR Reaction Mix and DNA/Primer sample solutions as prescribed above
Label reaction tubes for each sample or control
Add 50μL of each DNA sample Mix to the correspondingly labeled reaction tube (using a new pipette tip for each transfer in order to avoid cross-contamination between samples)
Place the reaction tubes into the thermocycler
Run the thermocycler program detailed above so that PCR will occur in each reaction tube
DNA Measurement and Analysis Protocol
Step 1
Step 2
Etc.
New System: Research and Development
BACKGROUND
DESIGN
Primers for PCR
-Guys, I think we'll be using fluorescent primers- ones which attach to the cancerous DNA, then release a particle which fluoresces a particular wave length. I'm not sure yet if we'll manage to have two sets of primers to generate possibly two signals; one that glows (for example) green for the cancer primers and another primer set which fluoresces (for example) red but is specific to a section of human DNA. The end result being, in theory, that we'd mix two sets of primers (one red, one green) with each sample for PCR. Then, after transferring to a micro-well plate, we can set the micro well plate reader to different frequencies. We'd then read each plate twice; one at red, one at green. The up-shot is that we'd hope to have the red signal as a base line in each sample. This is a control that tells us we're actually looking at DNA (this is one of the down-falls we discussed in class in regards to the old protocol). For the second reading, we'd set the reader to green and collect another set of data. This would be the equivalent of the data we got for this lab- we'd get a result if it's cancer-positive but no result if it's cancer-negative.
I hope this makes sense. I know it's a little more work for whoever is doing the primers, but I think if you look for the human metabolic gene it should hopefully help (I think additional resources are also posted on BB). If you have questions about the theory, let me know!
-Kristi
Our primers address the following design needs
Design specification 1 - explanation of how an aspect of the primers addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Design specification 2 - explanation of how an aspect of the primers addresses any of the specifications in the "New System: Design Strategy" section
Etc.
New System: Software
[THIS SECTION IS OPTIONAL. If your team has creative ideas for new software, and new software is a key component included in your new protocols, R&D, or machine design, you may describe it here. You will not receive bonus points, but a solid effort may raise your overall page layout points. If you decide not to propose new software, please delete this entire section, including the ==New System: Software== header.]
BME 103 Spring 2013
