DNA Comparison Chip: Circuit Design and Evaluation

The purpose of this project was to: First, design a microchip that is capable of comparing strings of DNA sequences. Second, evaluate the functioning of such a microchip and how it can implemented in various real world applications. Physically, this microchip will act as an attachment to any computer. The computer will send two strings of DNA sequences-one library string and one pattern string-and the chip will output the number of matches that exist between the two strings (at a given position of the pattern string with respect to the library string). The circuit design is based on a 600 nanometer process. Mentor Graphic Design tools were used for making the layouts, schematics and netlist comparisons. The circuit was successfully designed and the schematics were used to simulate the functionality of such a circuit. The simulations confirmed the working of the circuit as expected, in theory. This chip can be used in several practical applications and does not require any extensive hardware to install it. Its applications extend in areas like: forensic science, genetic engineering, bioinformatics etc. The fundamentality of its purpose makes it a very useful and flexible device.