Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a versatile technique for detection of micro-organisms

Abstract

Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) amplifies DNA with high specificity, efficiency, and rapidity under isothermal conditions by using a DNA polymerase with high displacement strand activity and a set of specifically designed primers to amplify targeted DNA strands. Following its first discovery by Notomi et al. in the year 2000, LAMP was further developed over the years which involved the combination of this technique with other molecular approaches, such as reverse transcription and multiplex amplification for the detection of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms in humans, livestock and plants. In this review, available types of LAMP techniques will be discussed together with their applications in detection of various microorganisms’. Up to date, there are varieties of LAMP detection methods available including colorimetric and fluorescent detection, real-time monitoring using turbidity meter and detection using lateral flow device which will also be highlighted in this review. Apart from that, commercialization of LAMP technique had also been reported such as lyophilized form of LAMP reagents kit and LAMP primer sets for detection of pathogenic microorganisms. On top of that, advantages and limitations of this molecular detection method are also described together with its future potential as a diagnostic method for infectious disease.