Table 3.
Advantages, limitations, and prospects of large-scale application of different DNA diagnostics in China [51]. (The copyright permission of the Table 3 in the cited reference with modified form has been obtained from corresponding author of Professor Don McManus).
| Method Type | Advantages | Limitation | Instrument Cost * | Reagents Cost * | Prospect of Large-Scale Application ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cPCR | Low cost and simple among the molecular detection methods; Can be multiplexed based on different size domains of the gene. | Requires post-PCR processing causing it to be more time consuming and labor intensive; | $ | $ | ∆ |
| nPCR | Improved the sensitivity and specificity for using two sets of primers | Relatively complicated initial optimization process; More time consuming and labor intensive than two rounds of cPCR amplifications; Prone to contamination with amplified PCR products | $ | $ | ∆ |
| qPCR | Higher sensitivity and specificity when probes are used; No post PCR processing and less time consuming and less labor intensive compared to cPCR and nPCR; Can quantify the amount of amplicons; Lower potential laboratory contamination | Relatively complicated initial optimization process; Requires triplicate reactions to improve the accuracy of final calculations | $$ | $ | ∆∆ |
| ddPCR | Higher sensitivity, specificity, specifically when probes are used; Can quantify the amount of amplicons (absolute quantification); Lower potential laboratory contamination | Requires specific and expensive machinery for the initial establishment; Relatively time consuming and complicated initial optimization process | $$$ | $$ | ∆ |
| LAMP | Less equipment required; Can visualize the end products directly using naked eye | Relatively time consuming and complicated initial optimization process; Prone to carryover contamination | - | $ | ∆∆∆ |
| RPA | Less equipment required; End products can be visualized on a chip/lateral flow device; Has great potential to be developed as a point of care diagnostic tool | Relatively complicated initial optimization process; Prone to contamination | - | $$$ | ∆∆ |
* The cost of the instrument and reagents is given as a relative scale to each other. Although the same conformity is used, the price of the instrument and reagents is not the same. $:—low, $$—moderate, $$$—high. ** It represents the possibility that it can be used as a tool for on-site screening and surveillance in the future: ∆—low, ∆∆—moderate, ∆∆∆—high.