Methods and systems for processing microfluidic samples of particle containing fluids

A microfluidic substrate for processing fluids comprising:

• an enrichment zone for preparing an enriched particle sample from a cell-containing fluid,
• a lysing module, coupled to the enrichment zone for receiving the enriched particle sample and releasing intracellular material from cells within the sample to thereby forming a lysed sample
• a microdroplet formation module for forming a first microdroplet of fluid from the lysed sample,
• a mixing module for mixing said first microdroplet with a second microdroplet comprising a reagent to form a third microdroplet, and
• an amplification module for amplifying intercellular material within said third microdroplet.

A microfluidic system for processing fluids comprising:

• a microfluidic substrate comprising
• an enrichment zone for preparing an enriched particle sample from a cell-containing fluid,
• a gas actuator for providing a gas pressure,
• a first valve for coupling the enrichment zone to the gas actuator,
• a lysing module for lysing cells to release intracellular material, and
• a second valve for coupling the enrichment zone to the lysing module, and
• a control device for controlling the operation of the microfluidic substrate, wherein the control device controls fluid flow by
• i) closing said first valve to thereby block flow of fluid between the enrichment zone and the gas actuator, and
• ii) closing said second valve to thereby block fluid flow between the enrichment zone and the lysing module,
• and wherein the control device controls movement of the enriched particle sample by opening said first and second valves to allow said gas actuator to provide a gas pressure for moving the enriched particle sample from the enrichment zone to said lysing module.