Abstract: The inventive self-contained apparatus for isolating nucleic acid, cell lysates and cell suspensions from unprocessed samples apparatus, to be used with an instrument, comprises at least one input, and: (i) a macrofluidic component, comprising a chamber for receiving said unprocessed sample from a collection device and at least one filled liquid purification reagent storage reservoir; and (ii) a microfluidic component in communication with said macrofluidic component via at least one microfluidic element, said microfluidic component further comprising at least one nucleic acid purification matrix; and (iii) a drive mechanism on said instrument for driving said liquid purification reagent, through said microfluidic element and said nucleic acid purification matrix, wherein the only inputs to said apparatus are via said chamber and said drive mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics.

Abstract: Plastic electrophoresis separation chips are provided comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels and a detection window, where the detection window comprises a thin plastic; and the detection window comprises a detection region of each microfluidic channel. Such chips can be bonded to a support provided an aperture is provided in the support to allow detection of samples in the electrophoresis chip at the thin plastic detection window. Further, methods for electrophoretically separating and detecting a plurality of samples on the plastic electrophoresis separation chip are described.

Abstract: A fast, multiplexed PCR system is described that can rapidly generate amplified nucleic acid products, for example, a full STR profile, from a target nucleic acid. Such systems include, for example, microfluidic biochips and a custom built thermal cycler, which are also described. The resulting STR profiles can satisfy forensic guidelines for signal strength, inter-loci peak height balance, heterozygous peak height ratio, incomplete non-template nucleotide addition, and stutter.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention specifically provides devices and methods for performing miniaturized in vitro assays on biological samples, such as the polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing reactions. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing PCR are provided.