DNA Extraction for Telemedicine Security

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DNA Extraction for Telemedicine Security

• Tofy Mussivand, FRSC
• Professor of Surgery Engineering
• Chair, Medical Devices Centre, University of
  Ottawa
• Director, Cardiovascular Devices Division,
  University of Ottawa Heart Institute

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Working Hypothesis
A portable, rapid, device based system for DNA
extraction from invasive and non-invasive
(e.g. fingerprints) samples can be developed for
wide-ranging applications in both medical and
non-medical fields.
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Required Functions/StepsFor Device Based DNA
System
1) Cell sample collection (from fingerprint or
other sources)
2) Lysis of cell membrane
3) Extraction of (nuclear) DNA
4) Purification of DNA
5) Restriction enzyme operation (Cleavage of DNA
strings into recognition sequence)
6) PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) Replication
and amplification of DNA
7) DNA detection and identification
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DNA Testing Delays News Headlines

• April 2005 - Washington State University
  researchers uncover huge unsolved crime DNA
  testing backlog
• (Washington State University News Service)
• May 2006 - Delays in obtaining forensic evidence
  adversely affecting justice system
• (Auditor General, Australian Government)
• May 2007 - DNA labs facing huge backlog
  Canadians and Americans failing to meet target
  processing times
• (The Scientist)
• Feb 2008 - Lansing serial killing suspect's trial
  delayed for DNA analysis
• (WSBT News)

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Major Delays

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Average turnaround time 114 days
• Target turnaround time 30 days
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Average turnaround time 1 year
• Target turnaround time 60 days.

Source The Scientist. May 21, 2007
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1st Question Can DNA be obtained from
non-invasive sources (fingerprints) ?
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Next Question Can sufficient DNA be extracted
from skin debris ?
Working Threshold (10 ng)
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Next Question Can this DNA sampling and
extraction be performed rapidly ?
16 hrs.
13 hrs.
45 min.
15 min.
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DNA Sampling Extraction Process Validation

• Process results validated by an independent 3rd
  party
• National DNA Data Bank operated by the Royal
  Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

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More Validation
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Current Focus
Integration of Developed Techniques into a
Portable Device Based System
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First Challenge Microfluidics based Cell
Membrane Lysis to Extract DNA
A 10 sec. video clip taken with a 20X microscope

• The membrane of the cell exposed to this newly
  developed technique is lysed within
• 6 seconds,
• while the control cell is not lysed

Control Cell
Cell exposed to newly developed technique
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Next Steps Cell Membrane Lysis using a new
microchip developed by the Medical Devices Centre

• MUMPs Technology or Multi User MEMS processes
• MEMS micro-electro-mechanical systems
• MetalMUMPs 20 micron thick nickel
  electroplating construction process

cm
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New Microchip Prototype Testing Currently
Underway
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Overall Device Status

• 15 minute Extraction (Original Target)
• Rapid sampling extraction method developed
• 3rd party validation of results by RCMP
• Patents applied for Canada, US, Japan, Europe
  (Method and apparatus for collecting cells for
  macromolecular analysis)
• 15 second Extraction (Current Target)
• Preliminary development of rapid cell membrane
  lysing technique suitable for a portable device
• Microchip prototype developed and system testing
  underway
• Additional work underway on overall device
  integration and prototype development

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The DNA/Telemedicine Connection

• Original Concept Needed security method for
  artificial heart telemedicine system
• DNA seemed to be the most secure approach
• The importance of telemedicine security is
  highlighted in recent media reports that outline
  successful hacking of implantable medical devices
  including the ability to
• Deliver ICD shocks, or
• Turn off the device
• This work entitled Pacemakers and Implantable
  Cardiac Defibrillators Software Radio Attacks
  and Zero-Power Defenses will be presented at the
  upcoming 2008 IEEE Symposium on Security and
  Privacy in Berkeley in May
• The publication was released early online at
• www.secure-medicine.org

Wednesday March 12, 2008
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Specific Telemedicine Examples for a Portable
DNA Extraction Device

• Telemedicine Security Prevent unauthorized
  access to telemedicine systems, including for
  control/monitoring of life critical devices.
• Other BioSecurity DNA is considered by some to
  be the holy grail of biometrics. Data could be
  transferred for comparisons to central identity
  databases. Biosecurity apps include everything
  from secure facilities access to transportation
  safety.
• Population Mapping The ability to map large
  communities for specific genetic variants
  associated with various health conditions could
  be accomplished easily with a portable DNA
  sampling and extraction device. Data could be
  transferred from the field in real-time to
  international research centres.

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Summary Conclusions

• New techniques for rapid (15 minute) DNA sampling
  and extraction have been developed and validated
• The ability to obtain DNA from both invasive and
  non-invasive (fingerprint) samples has also been
  demonstrated
• Work is proceeding for a 15 second DNA extraction
  system utilizing microchips for a portable device
  based system
• Microfluidics based cell membrane lysis (6
  seconds) has been demonstrated at the microchip
  level
• A wide variety of potential applications in
  medical and non-medical fields are possible
• Utilization of the DNA system could provide vital
  security for life critical telemedicine
  applications
• Further work is currently underway