Vacuum assist for a microplate

Abstract

A vacuum assist apparatus can comprise a microplate. The microplate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells can be formed in the first surface of the microplate. Each of the plurality of wells can be sized to receive an assay therein. A support base can comprise a fluid passage. The microplate can be positioned adjacent and in contact with the support base. A pressure device, in fluid communication with the fluid passage, can exert a vacuum within the fluid passage to actively retain the microplate in the contact with the support base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to aid in genomic analysis, the apparatus comprising:
 a substrate comprising one or more material retention regions, for retaining a material;   a marking indicia located on or within the substrate; and   a reader for reading the marking indicia.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the marking indicia is an RFID tag and the reader station is an RFID reader. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the RFID reader automatically reads the RFID tag to provide a unique identification and/or data handling parameters of the substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the marking indicia is configured to identify the substrate with a unique identification. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the substrate identification correlates acquired data with a corresponding assay. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the marking indicia can assist in achieving a predetermined position of the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the marking indicia can be selected so as to reduce thermal and/or chemical interference. 
     
     
         8 . A thermal system, the system comprising:
 at least one sample block comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is capable of supporting a substrate;   at least one channel in the first surface of the sample block, wherein the at least one channel is located between the sample block and the substrate;   a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the at least one channel;   a thermal source configured to transfer heat between the sample block and the substrate; and   a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block.   
     
     
         9 . The thermal system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel can comprise a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of grooves intersect. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal system of  claim 8 , wherein the evacuated channel urges the substrate and sample block together; 
     
     
         12 . The thermal system of  claim 8 , wherein the desired thermal output of the block can maintain a generally constant temperature of the substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal system of  claim 8 , wherein the desired thermal output of the block can cycle between 2 or more generally constant temperatures. 
     
     
         14 . A liquid handling device, the device comprising:
 a substrate comprising a main body;   at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for carrying an assay, wherein the microfluidic channel comprises a first end and a second end;   at least one input port fluidly connected to the first end of the microfluidic channel for introducing the assay to the microfluidic channel;   at least one outlet fluidly connected to the second end of the microfluidic channel for removing the assay from the microfluidic channel; and   at least one thermally isolated region disposed along at least one edge of the main body.   
     
     
         15 . The liquid handling device of  claim 13 , wherein the thermally isolated region can be sized to facilitate handling of the substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid handling device of  claim 13 , wherein the thermally isolated region further comprises marking indicia. 
     
     
         17 . A sequence detection system, comprising:
 a liquid handling device comprising a substrate, the substrate further comprising a main body and at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for retaining an assay;   a thermal system comprising,   at least one sample block, the sample block further comprising a first surface and a second surface,   a vacuum source fluidly coupled to at least one channel in the first surface of the block and capable of evacuating the channel; and   a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block.   an excitation system comprising at least one optical emission device, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to illuminate the liquid handling device; and   a detection system comprising a segmented detector, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to gather emission from the liquid handling device.   
     
     
         18 . The sequence detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one optical emission device comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         19 . The sequence detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the segmented detector comprises a CCD. 
     
     
         20 . The sequence detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the detector is capable of responding to fluorescence emitted from the liquid handling device.