Handheld and portable microfluidic device to automatically prepare nucleic acids for analysis

A handheld and portable device comprising:

• a. means for drawing a fluid-based sample into the device;
• b. means for extracting and purifying an analyte from the sample;
• c. means for directing the sample from the means for drawing to the means for extracting and purifying;
• and
• d. means for regulating a fluid flow of the sample through the means for extracting and purifying.

A handheld and portable device comprising:

• a. a syringe-like device to draw a fluid-based sample into the device;
• b. a purification chip to extract and purify an analyte from the sample;
• c. a fluidic pathway to direct the sample from the syringe-like device to the purification chip;
• and
• d. a fluid flow regulator to regulate a fluid flow of the sample through the purification chip.

A method of preparing a sample in the field, the method comprising:

• a. drawing a fluid-based sample into a handheld and portable device;
• b. directing the sample through a fluidic pathway within the device to a purification chip;
• c. regulating a fluid flow of the sample through the purification chip;
• and
• d. extracting and purifying an analyte from the sample.