Methods and systems for fast pcr heating

Abstract

A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing a biological sample, comprising:
 (a) providing a microplate comprising (i) a substrate having a metallic material, (ii) a barrier layer coated on said substrate, said barrier layer formed of a first polymeric material, (iii) a moulding comprising one or more wells sealed to said barrier layer, said one or more wells formed of a second polymeric material that is separate from said first polymeric material, and (iv) electrodes as projections from said substrate in electrical communication with said substrate;   (b) depositing said biological sample in a solution in said one or more wells; and   (c) directing electrical current from said electrodes through said substrate to subject said solution to one or more heating cycles, which one or more heating cycles comprise heating said solution at a heating rate of at least about 5° C./second upon flow of said electrical current through said substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrodes have corrugated surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bringing said electrodes in electrical communication with a power bus, which power bus provides said electrical current to said electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrodes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode as projections on different sides of said substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said solution is subjected to said one or more heating cycles at a rate of at least about two cycles per minute. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a temperature of said solution using one or more temperature sensors in thermal communication with said solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said one or more temperature sensors include infrared sensors. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said temperature is measured at least every 0.01 seconds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said microplate further comprises a plurality of thermal zones. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of thermal zones includes nine zones. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said microplate further comprises a multi-zone resistive heating element that provides heat to said plurality of thermal zones. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising controlling said heating rate by determining an amount of heating in each of said plurality of thermal zones based on one or more temperature measurements from one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrical current is directed through a plurality of electrical paths for zonal heating control of said microplate. 
     
     
         14 . A method for processing a biological sample, comprising:
 (a) providing a microplate comprising (i) a substrate having a metallic material, (ii) a barrier layer coated on said substrate, said barrier layer formed of a first polymeric material, (iii) a moulding comprising one or more wells sealed to said barrier layer, said one or more wells formed of a second polymeric material that is separate from said first polymeric material, and (iv) electrodes as projections from said substrate in electrical communication with said substrate;   (b) depositing said biological sample in a solution in said one or more wells; and   (c) directing electrical current from said electrodes through said substrate to subject said solution to one or more heating cycles at a rate of at least about 1 heating cycle per 30 seconds.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said electrodes have corrugated surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising bringing said electrodes in electrical communication with a power bus, which power bus provides said electrical current to said electrodes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said electrodes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode as projections on different sides of said substrate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising measuring a temperature of said solution using one or more temperature sensors in thermal communication with said solution. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said microplate further comprises a plurality of thermal zones. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said microplate further comprises a multi-zone resistive heating element that provides heat to said plurality of thermal zones. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising controlling said heating rate by determining an amount of heating in each of said plurality of thermal zones based on one or more temperature measurements from one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said electrical current is directed through a plurality of electrical paths for zonal heating control of said microplate.