Mesoscale polynucleotide amplification devices

A device for amplifying a polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide amplification reaction, the device comprising a solid substrate microfabricated to define:

• a sample inlet port;
• a mesoscale flow system comprising;
• a sample flow channel extending from said inlet port;
• and
• a polynucleotide amplification region of the device, in fluid communication with said flow channel, said region having at least one cross-sectional dimension of width or depth of about 0.1 to 1000 microns, at least said polynucleotide amplification region being permanently sealed with a cover;
• and
• an appliance for use in combination with said substrate, said appliance including a nesting site for receiving said substrate and a conduit in fluid communication with the inlet port of said substrate.

A method for amplifying a polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide amplification reaction, the method comprising:

• (i) providing a device comprising
• a solid substrate microfabricated to define:
• a sample inlet port;
• a mesoscale flow system comprising:
• a sample flow channel extending from said inlet port;
• and
• a polynucleotide amplification region, in fluid communication with said flow channel, said region having at least one cross sectional dimension of width or depth of about 0.1 to 1000 microns, at least said polynucleotide amplification region being permanently sealed with a cover;
• and
• an appliance for use in combination with said substrate, said appliance including a nesting site for receiving said substrate and a conduit in fluid communication with the inlet port of said substrate,
• (ii) delivering through said conduit, said inlet port and said sample flow channel to said polynucleotide amplification region, said sample polynucleotide and at least one reagent required for the polynucleotide amplification reaction;
• and
• (iii) thermally controlling the contents of the amplification region to amplify said polynucleotide.