Dna analyzer

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure provide a microfluidic chip to facilitate DNA analysis. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, a dilution domain coupled to the first domain to dilute a PCR mixture received from the first domain, and a second domain that is coupled to the dilution domain so as to receive the amplified DNA fragments. The second domain includes a separation channel that is configured to perform electrophoretic separation of the amplified DNA fragments. In addition, the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to act on the microfluidic chip to perform an integrated single chip DNA analysis.

1 . An integrated DNA analysis cartridge comprising:
 a microfluidic chip comprising one or more reservoirs connected by one or more channels, including a reagent carrier reservoir comprising a DNA extraction liquid, wherein said DNA extraction liquid comprises one or more thermophilic proteinase enzymes and   one or more sample acceptors suitable for extracting DNA from a sample, wherein said sample acceptors are mounted on and fluidically coupled to the microfluidic chip.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sample acceptors are fluidically coupled to the reagent carrier reservoir of the microfluidic chip. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more thermophilic proteinase enzymes has minimal activity at 40° C. or below. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more thermophilic proteinase enzymes comprise  Bacillus  EA1 activity. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more thermophilic proteinase enzymes comprise  Bacillus  EA1. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the DNA extraction liquid further comprises one or more mesophilic enzymes. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the microfludic chip further comprises one or more reaction reservoirs, separation channels, inlets, electrode reservoirs or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method of performing DNA analysis, said method comprising:
 providing an integrated DNA analysis cartridge comprising (i) a microfluidic chip comprising one or more reservoirs connected by one or more channels, including a reagent carrier reservoir comprising a DNA extraction liquid, wherein said DNA extraction liquid comprises one or more thermophilic proteinase enzymes and (ii) one or more sample acceptors suitable for extracting DNA from a sample, wherein said sample acceptors are mounted on and fluidically coupled to the microfluidic chip;   introducing one or more samples potentially comprising DNA into the one or more sample acceptors;   contacting the one or more samples in the one or more sample acceptors with the DNA extraction liquid from the reagent carrier under conditions effective to extract and purify DNA from each sample; and   analyzing the extracted DNA.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more sample acceptors of the integrated DNA analysis cartridge are fluidically coupled to the reagent carrier reservoir of the microfluidic chip. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more thermophilic enzymes has minimal activity at    40   ° C. or below. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more thermophilic enzymes comprise  Bacillus  EA1 activity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more thermophilic enzymes comprise  Bacillus  EA1. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the DNA extraction liquid further comprises a mesophilic enzyme in solution with the thermophilic enzyme. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein DNA from more than one sample is simultaneously extracted in more than one sample acceptor of the integrated DNA analysis cartridge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sample comprises a portion of a FTA card, a portion of a cigarette, a piece of fabric, or a biological tissue. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sample is on a swab. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said contacting is carried out for about 6 minutes to effect DNA extraction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 pumping the extracted and purified DNA after said contacting into a reaction reservoir on the microfludic chip prior to said analyzing. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said pumping is carried out using a hydrodynamic pressure/vacuum system.