Apparatus for integrated polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis

An apparatus for performing both polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis for a single sample in a single device comprising:

• a polymerase chain reaction chamber;
• an electrophoresis channel;
• and
• a removable barrier between the polymerase chain reaction chamber and the electrophoresis channel, wherein the device has a thin tab extension and the polymerase reaction chamber is defined by a cavity within the thin tab extension.

An apparatus for performing both polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis on a sample in a single microfabricated device, comprising a polymerase chain reaction chamber;

• an electrophoresis channel;
• a sample charging port through which a sample enters into the device;
• an inflow channel in fluid communication between the sample charging port and the polymerase chain reaction chamber;
• a first and a second sample well in fluid communication via a sample channel;
• a vent channel for venting the first sample well to ambient atmosphere;
• an outflow channel selectively in fluid communication between the polymerase chain reaction chamber and the first sample well;
• and a first and second electrophoresis buffer well at each end of the electrophoresis channel, wherein the polymerase chain reaction chamber is formed at a thin tab extension of the device, and the chamber is defined by a cavity within the thin tab extension, and wherein the electrophoresis channel is orthogonal to and intersecting the sample channel.

An apparatus for performing both polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis on a sample in a single microfabricated device, comprising:

• a polymerase chain reaction chamber formed at a thin tab extended portion of the device, for facilitating local heating and cooling of the chamber during thermal cycling;
• an electrophoresis separation channel having first and second electrophoresis buffer wells on the ends thereof, and being intersected by a sample channel having first and second sample wells on the ends thereof;
• and
• a sealant for sealing the sample wells and buffer wells, wherein the sealant further comprises electrical leads contacting each of the sample wells and buffer wells.