Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fixed magnet assembly that can be implemented into automated platforms for performing polynucleotide extraction from biological samples and preparing the polynucleotides into an amplification-ready form. The fixed magnet assembly can be used to provide magnetic energy to a container containing magnetic particles and a reaction mixture of polynucleotides, in order to bring about a separation of the magnetic particles from the reaction mixture. This can prevent or reduce magnetic particle carryover in the prepared amplification-ready sample, thereby improving amplification results.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to microfluidic cartridges. The technology more particularly relates to a compressible pad applied to a microfluidic cartridge, wherein the microfluidic cartridge is configured to amplify nucleotides of interest, particularly from several biological samples in parallel, within microfluidic channels in the cartridge and permit detection of those nucleotides. Compressible pads of the present technology can be implemented in microfluidic cartridges having enhanced reaction chamber volumes, resulting in improved thermal uniformity and amplification efficiency in the cartridge. Assays using microfluidic cartridges of the present technology advantageously exhibit improved limit of detection (LOD) and improved limit of quantification (LOQ).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fixed magnet assembly that can be implemented into automated platforms for performing polynucleotide extraction from biological samples and preparing the polynucleotides into an amplification-ready form. The fixed magnet assembly can be used to provide magnetic energy to a container containing magnetic particles and a reaction mixture of polynucleotides, in order to bring about a separation of the magnetic particles from the reaction mixture. This can prevent or reduce magnetic particle carryover in the prepared amplification-ready sample, thereby improving amplification results.