Functionally integrated device for multiplex genetic identification

Abstract

A biochip for multiplex genetic identification is disclosed. An biochip for separating and detecting a plurality of DNA fragments includes a set of inputs and chambers for receiving a sample matrix of genetic material and reagents needed to conduct a polymerase chain reaction amplification of the genetic material. The biochip also includes a plurality of separation and detection chambers that physically separate different DNA fragments that have been marked with labels that emit similar colors, thereby enabling the independent detection of the different DNA fragments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biochip for multiplex genetic identification, the biochip comprising:
 a sample input port to receive a sample containing a plurality of DNA fragments; and   a plurality of separation and detection chambers in fluid communication with the sample input port, each of the plurality of separation and detection chambers being spaced apart from the other chambers, and each chamber containing at least one set of DNA probes immobilized therein, the set of DNA probes in each chamber differing from the sets of DNA probes in the other chambers.   
     
     
         2 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising a wash buffer input port to receive a wash buffer, the wash buffer input port in fluid communication with the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         3 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising an amplification chamber to amplify the plurality of DNA fragments, the amplification chamber in fluid communication with the sample input port and the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         4 . The biochip of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an elution buffer input port to receive an elution buffer; and   a sample preparation chamber in fluid communication with the elution buffer input port, the sample input port, and the amplification chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The biochip of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a sample preparation wash buffer input port to receive a sample preparation wash buffer; and   a sample preparation chamber in fluid communication with the sample preparation wash buffer input port, the sample input port, and the amplification chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The biochip of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a post-amplification buffer input port to receive a post-amplification buffer; and   a post-amplification vent chamber in fluid communication with the post-amplification buffer input port and the amplification chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The biochip of  claim 3 , further comprising a post-amplification vent chamber in fluid communication with the amplification chamber and the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         8 . The biochip of  claim 3 , further comprising a waste output port in fluid communication with the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vent chambers, each vent chamber in fluid communication with its corresponding chamber of the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         10 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one background reference chamber not in fluid communication with the sample input port and the plurality of separation and detection chambers, wherein the at least one background reference chamber and at least one of the plurality separation and detection chambers are composed of a same material. 
     
     
         11 . The biochip of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one background reference chamber contains at least one DNA probe identical to the at least one DNA probe of its corresponding separation and detection chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The biochip of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separation and detection chambers are connected in parallel. 
     
     
         13 . The biochip of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separation and detection chambers are connected in series. 
     
     
         14 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flow gate to control fluid flow between the sample input port and at least one of the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         15 . The biochip of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one flow gate has an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the at least one flow gate inhibiting fluid flow from the inlet channel to the outlet channel with an absence of fluid pressure and permitting fluid flow from the inlet channel to the outlet channel with fluid pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The biochip of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one flow gate has an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the at least one flow gate inhibiting fluid flow from the inlet channel to the outlet channel with pneumatic pressure and permitting fluid flow from the inlet channel to the outlet channel with an absence of pneumatic pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of transition channels in fluid communication, wherein each of the plurality of transition channel has an increasing cross-sectional area in a direction to its corresponding separation and detection chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The biochip of  claim 1 , further comprising a waste output port in fluid communication with the plurality of separation and detection chambers. 
     
     
         19 . A flow gate, comprising:
 a first port and a second port separated by a junction, each port being a small chamber at an end of a channel; and   a thin flexible material adhered across the first and second ports,   wherein the flow gate has an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein pressure applied to the thin flexible material changes between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the open configuration having space between the thin flexible membrane and the junction and permitting fluid flow between the two channels through the ports, and the closed configuration having the thin flexible membrane in contact with the junction and inhibiting fluid flow between the two channels.   
     
     
         20 . The flow gate of  claim 19 , wherein the thin flexible material is plastic. 
     
     
         21 . The flow gate of  claim 19 , wherein the pressure applied to the thin flexible material is pneumatic pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The flow gate of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one layer of material disposed above the ports. 
     
     
         23 . The flow gate of  claim 22 , wherein the flow gate is in the open configuration without the pressure and wherein the pressure changes the flow gate from the open configuration to the closed configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The flow gate of  claim 22 , wherein the flow gate is in the closed configuration without the pressure and wherein the pressure changes the flow gate from the closed configuration to the open configuration.