Purification of nucleic acids in a microfludic chip by separation

A system for removing contaminants from a biological sample comprising:

• a first well adapted to contain a fluid and receive the biological sample;
• a second well adapted to contain a fluid;
• a microchannel extending between said first well and said second well;
• a gel located within said microchannel;
• wherein magnetic beads are adapted to be introduced into the first well, the magnetic beads tuned to attract target molecules in the biological sample;
• a magnet adapted to be moved into the vicinity of the first well, said magnet adapted to generate a magnetic field to interact with the magnetic beads;
• wherein said magnet is provided to be moved toward said microchannel such that the magnetic beads are drawn along with the movement of the magnet and into said microchannel;
• wherein said gel is adapted to interact with the contaminates such that at least some of the contaminates are captured within said gel when the magnetic beads move through said gel;
• and
• said magnet is adapted to move toward said second well such that the magnetic beads and target molecules are drawn into said second well.