Nucleic Acid Purification Cartridge

A microfluidic device comprising:

• one or more reservoirs;
• one or more receiving containers;
• a purification cavity configured to be detachable from the microfluidic device, the purification cavity comprising:
• a first port configured to provide gas communication between the purification cavity and a vacuum generator, via a first flow path;
• a second port configured to provide liquid communication between the purification cavity and the one or more reservoirs, via a second flow path;
• and
• a third port configured to provide gas and liquid communication between the purification cavity and both the one or more receiving containers and the vacuum generator, via a third flow path;
• and
• a filter configured to purify biological or chemical analytes from a complex biological sample and located over the third port such that fluid entering the purification cavity through the first or second port and exiting the purification cavity through the third port flows through the filter.

A method of purifying a biological or chemical analyte from a complex biological sample using the microfluidic device according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying a negative pressure difference between the purification cavity and a first reservoir to flow a liquid sample into the purification cavity through the second port;
• applying a negative pressure difference between a first receiving container and the purification cavity to flow the liquid sample through the filter and out the third port;
• and
• eluting the analyte from the filter by applying a negative pressure difference between the purification cavity and a second receiving container to flow an elution buffer through the filter and out the third port.