Methods for forensic DNA quantitation

A method for quantifying a human genomic double stranded DNA target in a sample fluid containing or suspected of containing said target, comprising:

• combining in a microfluidic channel (i) the sample fluid and (ii) at least one molecular beacon probe capable of binding to at least one repetitive human Alu sequence, said probe further comprising a signaling moiety to form a test fluid, wherein said target in the sample fluid has not been amplified;
• heating said test fluid to denature the double stranded DNA and cooling said test fluid to facilitate binding of the molecular beacon probe to said target so that the molecular beacon probe becomes bound to said target;
• locating the test fluid in a detector region in the microfluidic channel;
• detecting the signaling moiety;
• and
• quantifying said target in the sample fluid within 1 minute of combining the sample fluid and the molecular beacon probe;
• wherein said target has a concentration less than 1 nanograms per microliter or is present in a total amount in the sample fluid of less than 1 nanogram.

A method for quantifying of a human genomic double stranded DNA target in a sample fluid containing or suspected of containing said target, comprising:

• providing a microfluidic device coupled to an electronic device comprising a detector comprising an laser, wherein the laser is integrated in the microfluidic device;
• combining in a microfluidic channel of the microfluidic device (i) the sample fluid and (ii) at least one molecular beacon probe capable of binding to at least one repetitive human Alu sequence said molecular beacon probe further comprising a signaling moiety to form a test fluid, wherein said target in the sample fluid has not been amplified;
• heating said test fluid to denature the double stranded DNA and cooling said test fluid to facilitate binding of the molecular beacon probe to said target so that the molecular beacon probe becomes bound to said target;
• locating the test fluid in a detector region in the microfluidic channel positioned in operative proximity to the detector of the electronic device;
• irradiating the signaling moiety using the integrated laser;
• and
• quantifying said target in the sample fluid within 1 minute of combining the sample fluid and the molecular beacon probe.

A method for manipulating a human genomic double stranded DNA target in a sample fluid containing said target, comprising:

• providing a micro fluidic device comprising a plurality of micro fluidic channels and areas for sample manipulation coupled to an electronic device comprising a detector;
• combining in a micro fluidic channel of the microfluidic device (i) the sample fluid and (ii) at least one molecular beacon probe capable of binding to at least one repetitive human Alu sequence, said molecular beacon probe further comprising a signaling moiety to form a test fluid, wherein said target in the sample fluid has not been amplified;
• heating said test fluid to denature the double stranded DNA and cooling said test fluid to facilitate binding of the molecular beacon probe to said target so that the molecular beacon probe becomes bound to said target;
• locating the test fluid in a detector region in the microfluidic channel positioned in operative proximity to the detector of the electronic device;
• quantifying said target in the sample fluid within 1 minute of combining the sample fluid and the molecular beacon probe;
• and
• directing a selected quantity of the sample fluid to an area of the biochip, wherein said selected quantity is determined, at least in part, based on the results of the quantifying step.