On-line DNA analysis system with rapid thermal cycling

An apparatus for subjecting a liquid biological sample to rapid thermal cycling and subsequent on-line analysis of DNA products derived therefrom, the apparatus comprising:

• means for holding a liquid biological sample;
• first means for controlling and rapidly varying a temperature of said liquid biological sample at a rate at least as great as one degree centigrade per second repeatedly through a predetermined temperature cycle such that the temperature repeatedly ramps from a first temperature to at least a second temperature and ramps from the second temperature to a lower temperature and where said predetermined temperature cycle facilitates DNA amplification of said liquid biological sample;
• a primary separation means for separating one or more components of the liquid biological sample, the primary separation means being spaced from the first means for controlling and rapidly varying a temperature of the liquid biological sample;
• means for fluidic transferring of said liquid biological sample from the means for holding said liquid biological sample to the primary separation means;
• a secondary separation means for separating the components of the liquid biological sample;
• means for fluidic transferring of at least some of the liquid biological sample from the primary separation means and injecting at least some of the liquid biological sample components into the secondary separation means, the fluidic transfer to the secondary separation means being continuous;
• temperature control means for maintaining the temperature of the primary separation means and the secondary separation means;
• means for removing salt from the liquid biological sample;
• means for detecting one or more separated components of interest in the secondary separation means;
• and
• means for controlling the first means for controlling and rapidly varying the temperature of the liquid biological sample such that thermal cycling of the biological sample and DNA amplification is carried out, and for controlling the primary separation means such that primary separation of DNA derivatives is carried out, and for controlling the secondary separation means such that secondary separation of DNA derivatives is carried out, and for controlling the means for detection such that detection of DNA derivatives is carried out on the sample and the sample is analyzed without manual intervention.