Nucleic acid amplification apparatus

An apparatus for containing a liquid biological sample and for performing a biological process thereon, comprising:

• a sample area for receiving a liquid biological sample, said sample area having an orifice for admitting said sample into said sample area;
• at least one reaction area in fluid communication with said sample area;
• a pneumatic area in pneumatic communication with said reaction area and said sample area;
• a pneumatic port in said pneumatic area for connection of said apparatus to a pneumatic aspiration/dispensing means, said aspiration/dispensing means causing the flow of said liquid biological sample between said sample area and said reaction area;
• and
• a sample tower located above said sample area and in fluid communication with said sample area through said orifice for reducing evaporative loss of said liquid biological sample from said sample area and said reaction area, said sample tower having a sample port at an upper end thereof for admitting said liquid biological sample into said sample area through said orifice, said sample tower having said orifice at a lower end thereof;
• wherein said orifice is of smaller size than the adjacent portion of said sample area to provide a capillary lock for inhibiting capillary flow of said liquid biological sample from said sample area to said reaction area;
• wherein said pneumatic area includes a pneumatic tower for reducing evaporative loss of said liquid biological sample through said pneumatic area, said pneumatic tower having said pneumatic port at an upper end thereof, and wherein said pneumatic port is encircled by a pair of rigid, concentric sealing rings adapted to make sealing contact with a resilient portion of said pneumatic aspiration/dispensing means.