Theoretical formulation for reduce dna separation time using high efficiency switch mode power supply (smps) of a gel electrophoresis unit

Abstract

The project work based on theoretical analysis and experimentation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) separation process using the Gel Electrophoresis unit with temperature control in order to reduce the cost and time. Gel Electrophoresis is a technique use for the separation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), or protein molecules using an electric current applied to a gel matrix. The term gel in this instance refer to the matrix used contain and then separate the target molecules while electrophoresis is defined as a movement of particle though solvent under external electric field influence. The project uses PIC 18F452 microcontroller as the main brain of the system. This microcontroller exchanges the analog and digital data between master controller and temperature sensor so that the temperatures for every two seconds are known. Besides that, this microcontroller is also use to read the voltage output from the power supply and measure the current flow. A countdown timer is applied to calculate time of Electrophoresis process. All the parameter is displayed on Liquid crystal display (LCD). After computing the DNA separation process, a sound beep through buzzer is produce. The significant of this project is to show that the newly designed electrophoresis apparatus will sustain the temperature raise and optimize the electrophoresis process. The temperature controller circuit is expected to control the temperature and proportionally control the fan speed to accommodate the thermal distributed within the DNA separation process.