Polynucleotide sample preparation device

A microfluidic cartridge for converting a sample containing one or more polynucleotides into a form suitable for analyzing the one or more polynucleotides, the cartridge comprising:

• a sample inlet for receiving the sample;
• a reagent inlet for accepting one or more reagents;
• an outlet for directing prepared sample into a PCR tube;
• and
• a microfluidic component having one or more channels configured to transmit volumes of fluid in the range 0.1-50 μl;
• wherein the one or more channels ensure passage of sample, reagents, and fluid between the sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the outlet;
• and
• wherein the microfluidic cartridge, in conjunction with an external source of heat, is configured to react the sample and the reagents, in order to produce a prepared sample suitable for analyzing the one or more polynucleotides.

A method of converting a sample comprising a number of cells that have one or more polynucleotides into a form suitable for analyzing the one or more polynucleotides, the method comprising:

• introducing from about 0.1-2.0 mL of the sample and an excess quantity of air into a bulk lysis chamber;
• applying heat to the sample in the bulk lysis chamber, to raise the sample to a first temperature, thereby lysing cells in the sample and producing a lysate containing the one or more polynucleotides;
• capturing one or more polynucleotides in the lysate on an affinity matrix;
• causing the beads to leave the bulk lysis chamber and be trapped on a filter;
• washing the beads with a wash reagent;
• displacing the wash reagent with a release buffer;
• heating the beads to a second temperature, thereby releasing the one or more polynucleotides;
• and
• causing the one or more polynucleotides to be transferred to a PCR tube.