Patent ID: 7604965
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: B01L,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for performing an analysis of a sample comprising the steps of: a) providing a microfluidic device comprising: a sample channel having cross-sectional dimensions between 0.1 and 1000 μm, valves positioned such that the sample channel is partitioned into a plurality of fluidically isolated chambers by activation of said valves, said valves being formed in said microfluidic device by one or more deflectable membrane(s) that can be deflected into said sample channel, wherein said deflectable membrane is formed from an elastomeric material having a Young's modulus in the range 20 Pa to 1 GPa, wherein said fluidically isolated chambers are not located at junctions formed by the sample channel and other flow channels that are in fluid communication with the sample channel, and wherein said sample channel has an entrance for introduction of a fluid, but does not have a separate exit b) introducing a sample fluid comprising reagents for nucleic acid amplification and at least one amplifiable target into said sample channel, c) simultaneously actuating said valves to produce at least 500 fluidically isolated chambers, wherein at least one amplifiable target is present in at least one chamber, d) conducting amplification steps simultaneously in said at least 500 fluidically isolated chambers wherein an amplified target is produced in at least one chamber, and e) detecting said amplified target.