Thermal reaction device and method for using the same

Abstract

An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.

1 . A microfluidic device for reacting M number of different samples with N number of different reagents comprising: 
 a plurality of reaction cells, each reaction cell comprising a sample chamber and a reagent chamber, said sample chamber and said reagent chamber being in fluid communication through an interface channel having an interface valve associated therewith for controlling fluid communication between said sample chamber and said reagent chamber;    a plurality of sample inlets each in fluid communication with said sample chambers;    a plurality of reagent inlets each in fluid communication with said reagent chambers;    wherein at least one of said chambers contains an oligonucleotide or protein polymer and an intercollating dye.    
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein said reaction cells are formed within an elastomeric block formed from a plurality of layers bonded together and said interface value is deflectable membrane.  
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein said sample inlets are in communication with said sample chamber through a sample channel and said reagent inlet is in fluid communication with said reagent chamber through a reagent channel, a portion of said sample channel and a portion of said reagent channel being oriented about parallel to each other and each having a containment valve associated therewith for controlling fluid communication therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic device of  claim 3  wherein said valve associated with said sample channel and said valve associated with said reagent channel are in operable communication with each other through a common containment control channel.  
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic device of  claim 4  wherein said containment common control channel located along a line about normal to one of said sample channel or said reagent channel.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intercollating dye is SYBR Green (TM).  
     
     
         7 . A method for determining the denaturation temperature of protein or oligonucleotide comprising the steps of providing the device of  claim 1 , altering the temperature of the device, and detecting a change in the dye.  
     
     
         8 . A microfluidic device for reacting M number of different samples with N number of different reagents comprising: 
 a plurality of reaction cells, each reaction cell comprising a sample chamber and a reagent chamber, said sample chamber and said reagent chamber being in fluid communication through an interface channel having an interface valve associated therewith for controlling fluid communication between said sample chamber and said reagent chamber;    a plurality of sample inlets each in fluid communication with said sample chambers;    a plurality of reagent inlets each in fluid communication with said reagent chambers;    wherein one of said sample inlets or reagent inlets is in fluid communication with one of said sample chambers or one of said reagent chambers, respectively, through a via.    
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic device of  claim 8  wherein said reaction cells are formed within an elastomeric block formed from a plurality of layers bonded together and said interface valve is deflectable membrane.  
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic device of  claim 8  wherein said sample inlets are in communication with said sample chamber through a sample channel and said reagent inlet is in fluid communication with said reagent chamber through a reagent channel, a portion of said sample channel and a portion of said reagent channel being oriented about parallel to each other and each having a containment valve associated therewith for controlling fluid communication therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . The microfluidic device of  claim 10  wherein said valve associated with said sample channel and said valve associated with said reagent channel are in operable communication with each other through a common containment control channel.  
     
     
         12 . The microfluidic device of  claim 11  wherein said containment common control channel located along a line about normal to one of said sample channel or said reagent channel.  
     
     
         13 . A method for making a feature in an elastomeric block comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first elastomeric layer;    applying a photoresist layer upon a surface of said first elastomeric layer;    applying a light pattern to said photoresist layer to form a pattern of reacted photoresist material;    removing unreacted photoresist material leaving said pattern of reacted photoresist upon said surface of said first elastomeric layer;    applying an etching reagent to said first elastomeric surface to etch said surface of said first elastomeric layer not covered by said pattern of reacted photoresist material thereby removing regions of said first elastomeric layer not covered by said pattern of reacted photoresist and leaving a pattern of said elastomeric layer corresponding to said pattern of reacted photoresist material.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of removing said pattern of reacted photoresist material.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said removing is caused by applying an adhesive tape to said surface of said elastomeric layer and said pattern of reacted photoresist material, then separating said adhesive tape from said elastomeric layer while some or all of said pattern of reacted photoresist material is removed from said surface of said elastomeric layer.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said photoresist is SU8.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said etching reagent comprises tetrabutylammoniumfluoride-trihydrate.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said feature is a via.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said elastomeric block comprises a plurality of elastomeric layers bonded together, wherein two or more elastomeric layers have recesses formed therein and one recess of one elastomeric layer is in communication with a recess of another elastomeric layer through said via.