Thermal reaction device and method for using the same

Abstract

A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions using a microfluidic device is described. Amplification primers and other amplification reagents are deposited at a plurality of reaction sites in the device, a sample solution containing amplifiable polynucleotides is introduced into the reaction sites, and amplification is carried out.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for performing an analysis of a sample comprising the steps of:
 providing a microfluidic device having a channel dimension between 0.1 and 1000 μm, and having at least one sample channel, wherein the sample channel is able to be partitioned into a plurality of separate chambers by one or more valves, said valves being formed in said microfluidic device such that a deflectable membrane(s) can be deflected into said sample channel to partition said sample channel into one or more separate chambers,   introducing a sample having at least one amplifiable target therein into said sample chamber,   actuating said valves to form said separate chambers so that said at least one amplifiable target is isolated into at least one chamber,   conducting an amplification step or steps,   detecting whether amplification occurred in one or more chambers to determine the quantity or presence of the amplifiable target within the sample.