Reaction circuit design in microfluidic circuits

A microfluidic chip system, comprising:

• one or more microfluidic devices;
• a controller, the controller comprising:
• a first set of programmable valves;
• a second set of programmable valves;
• at least one manifold, the manifold comprising multiple inputs for connection to the first and second set of programmable valves;
• two or more air regulators to connect to an outside air source;
• and
• one or more control boards communicatively coupled to the first and second set of programmable valves;
• wherein the first set of programmable valves and the second set of programmable valves include output ports in communication with corresponding inputs of the microfluidic devices.

A method comprising:

• loading a first reagent into a first reaction circuit of a reaction module on a microfluidic device;
• loading a second reagent into the first reaction circuit of the reaction module;
• merging the first and second reagents by mixing the first and second reagents on the first reaction circuit;
• retaining the analyte in the first reaction circuit;
• loading a capture substrate into the second reaction circuit;
• mixing the capture substrate with the analyte in the second reaction circuit;
• washing the capture substrate with bound analyte;
• and
• eluting the capture substrate with the bound reactant from the reaction module and off the microfluidic device.

A computer-implemented method for rendering microfluidic device controller user interfaces on display devices, comprising:

• providing, by operation of a computer, instructions causing a display device to render a microfluidic device operation interface, the interface comprising:
• a microfluidic device layout portion providing a virtual layout of elements on a physical microfluidic device to be controlled by the computer;
• and
• a command portion comprising set of selectable elements, data entry fields, or both configured to allow selection of a protocol file, the protocol file defining at least the sequence in which elements of the microfluidic device are to be operated during execution of the protocol file.