Random access automated molecular testing system

An automated molecular platform comprising a plurality of amplification and detection modules, each amplification and detection module comprising:

• a heating block operatively coupled to a controller for controlling the heating block to cycle through a plurality of temperatures;
• a clip having a planar body attached to the heating block, the planar body and the heating block defining a receiving space between the clip and the heating block for slidably receiving and retaining a planar polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chip holding an aliquot of fluid to be tested in a sealed channel between the clip and the heating block, the clip configured to apply a passive spring-biased force to the PCR chip, once slidably received, in order to ensure thermal contact between said PCR chip and the heating block, said clip further comprising a viewing window aligned with a thermally conductive window of the PCR chip when the PCR chip is retained by the clip;
• and
• a detection platform adjacent to the viewing window and operatively coupled to the controller for identifying a characteristic of interest of the aliquot of fluid,
• wherein the plurality of amplification and detection modules are disposed adjacently in a series.

An amplification and detection module, comprising:

• a heating block operatively coupled to a controller configured to control the heating block to cycle through a plurality of temperatures;
• a clip having a planar body attached to the heating block, the planar body and the heating block defining a receiving space between the clip and the heating block configured to slidably receive and retain a planar polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chip holding a single aliquot of fluid to be tested in a sealed channel between the clip and the heating block, the clip configured to apply a passive spring-biased force through comprising a passive spring configured to ensure thermal contact between the PCR chip, once slidably received, and the heating block, said clip further comprising a viewing window in the planar body aligned with a thermally conductive window of the PCR chip when the PCR chip is retained by the clip;
• a detection platform adjacent to the viewing window and operatively coupled to the controller, the detection platform further comprising a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera configured to identify, through the viewing window of the clip, a characteristic of interest of the single aliquot of fluid;
• and
• a temperature sensing element configured to provide feedback from the heating block to the controller,
• wherein a first edge of the amplification and detection module is configured to be disposed adjacent to a matching, opposite second edge of the amplification and detection module such that a plurality of amplification and detection modules are disposed in a coplanar series when the first edge of the amplification and detection module is adjacent to the second edge of another amplification and detection module.