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AcknowledgementsFew things in life are truly accomplished alone, and this is not one of them. I am here not because of who I am but due to those that got me here. Dr Landers, I cannot express the profound influence your guidance, energy and vision have had on me. For making me the scientist I am I will forever be grateful and appreciative to have worked with you. Our group is a family; we will do anything for each other to bring success whether that be a 2 am coffee run or knowing how to stop frustration tears. To Carmen and Dan, thank you for molding my young analytical mind, enabling me to go it alone. To my amazing undergraduate Daniel, without whom this work would not have been accomplished. Of particular note is the bear family. Brother, Baby and Koala, you made this an experience that I never want to end. You were all there for me when life was hard and science was slow. My best moments were the ones spent with you. My roommate Amanda: you have been a wonderful person to me over this very stressful year, for that I am forever grateful. Then there is Jenny, who was a mentor, a friend, a sister. It's not an exaggeration to say that this would not have been possible without you. To Kristin, without whom I would not be here at all. Infinityillions, always pumpkin. Finally, to my family who were always there even though they are far across the pond. We were raised to believe that we can do anything if we put our minds to it and Russell you are the embodiment of that philosophy. To my Granddad, who's generosity made all of this possible and to Frank for always being there. Finally, to my Mum, my best friend, whom I love more each day.I promise, no more degrees.iii
AbstractThe interrogation of genomic DNA for the presence of specific sequences is paramount for most biological assays, including clinical diagnostics, functional genomics, food safety and forensic DNA analysis. Here we present a new detection modality, based on hybridization of the target sequence to probes bound to paramagnetic particles. When hybridization occurs, the particles aggregate together in a visual manner, confirming the presence target DNA with a limit of detection of 100 fM for ssDNA. A systematic study into the effect sequence length alterations have on detection sensitivity is demonstrated. The specificity of HIA enables the detection of 1, 2 or 3 single point mutations in the target DNA, working towards applying HIA to future mutation detection. HIA was adapted for the detection of dsDNA, enabling the label-free detection of Salmonella enterica, bacteriophage for the diagnosis of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and for the detection of thyroid peroxidase (TPOX) for human identification. Furthermore, HIA is interfaced with PCR on a plastic integrated microdevice, where multiplexed IR-PCR is demonstrated for the first time. The microdevice combines low cost and minimal hardware to provide an easy to use system capable of PCR and HIA detection in 30 minutes. In addition, a direct-PCR protocol from whole blood was developed to aid i...