Devices, methods, and systems for nucleic acid amplification

Abstract

A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

1 - 75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . An apparatus for nucleic acid amplification of a sample, the apparatus comprising:
 means for partitioning the sample into partitioned sections, wherein the sample contains at least one target nucleic acid molecule to be amplified and constituents for enabling amplification of the target nucleic acid molecule, and wherein the partitioned sections contain volumes ranging from 1 picoliter to 1 microliter of sample; and   means for performing PCR amplification on the partitioned sections of the sample.   
     
     
         77 - 223 . (canceled)