Apparatus for establishing a fluidic and electrical interface to a microfluidic chip having a top surface and at least two wells (47a-d) opening to the top surface, comprising: a microchip tray for receiving and holding said microfluidic chip; an electrical bus adapted for electrical communication with at least one voltage source and at least one electronic measurement device; a microchip tray slide adapted for receiving the microchip tray and placing the microchip into electrical communication with the electrical bus and for reversibly securing the microchip tray and the microchip in electrical communication therewith; a fluid manifold assembly for providing chosen fluids to said microchip and for aspirating the chosen fluids from the wells (47a-d) of said microchip, said fluid manifold assembly comprising: an electrolyte pump for filling and flushing wells with background electrolyte from source; a sample pump for filing and flushing fluid well with sample solution from source; a vacuum pump for aspirating the wells (47a- 47d); a fluid manifold; a fluid manifold mounting plate for holding said fluid manifold; a pushrod having a first end and a second end, the first end of said pushrod affixed to said fluid manifold mounting plate; a pivoted rocker arm for driving said pushrod toward or away from said microchip; a cam for causing said rocker arm to pivot; a motor for rotating said cam; and at least one spring (80a, 80b) for causing said pushrod to follow said rocker arm and said rocker arm to follow said cam; characterized in that the fluid manifold comprises at least two liquid dispensing tubes (94 - 97) for establishing fluid communication with either said electrolyte pump or said sample pump, and the at least two wells (47a-d), one of said dispensing tubes in fluid communication with one of the at least two wells (47a-d); and at least two liquid aspiration tubes (98a-d) for establishing fluid communication with said vacuum pump, one of said aspiration tubes in fluid communication with one of the at least two wells (47 a-d); whereby said fluid manifold is disposed a chosen distance from said microchip for establishing fluid communication between said at least two liquid dispensing tubes (94 - 97) and said at least two liquid aspiration tubes (98a-d) and the at least two wells (47a-d), and to a greater than the chosen distance for electrical measurements; wherein said fluid manifold further comprises projections (88, 90a, 90b) for accurately spacing said fluid manifold at said chosen distance from said microchip. a microchip tray for receiving and holding said microfluidic chip; an electrical bus adapted for electrical communication with at least one voltage source and at least one electronic measurement device; a microchip tray slide adapted for receiving the microchip tray and placing the microchip into electrical communication with the electrical bus and for reversibly securing the microchip tray and the microchip in electrical communication therewith; a fluid manifold assembly for providing chosen fluids to said microchip and for aspirating the chosen fluids from the wells (47a-d) of said microchip, said fluid manifold assembly comprising: an electrolyte pump for filling and flushing wells with background electrolyte from source; a sample pump for filing and flushing fluid well with sample solution from source; a vacuum pump for aspirating the wells (47a- 47d); a fluid manifold; a fluid manifold mounting plate for holding said fluid manifold; a pushrod having a first end and a second end, the first end of said pushrod affixed to said fluid manifold mounting plate; a pivoted rocker arm for driving said pushrod toward or away from said microchip; a cam for causing said rocker arm to pivot; a motor for rotating said cam; and at least one spring (80a, 80b) for causing said pushrod to follow said rocker arm and said rocker arm to follow said cam; an electrolyte pump for filling and flushing wells with background electrolyte from source; a sample pump for filing and flushing fluid well with sample solution from source; a vacuum pump for aspirating the wells (47a- 47d); a fluid manifold; a fluid manifold mounting plate for holding said fluid manifold; a pushrod having a first end and a second end, the first end of said pushrod affixed to said fluid manifold mounting plate; a pivoted rocker arm for driving said pushrod toward or away from said microchip; a cam for causing said rocker arm to pivot; a motor for rotating said cam; and at least one spring (80a, 80b) for causing said pushrod to follow said rocker arm and said rocker arm to follow said cam; at least two liquid dispensing tubes (94 - 97) for establishing fluid communication with either said electrolyte pump or said sample pump, and the at least two wells (47a-d), one of said dispensing tubes in fluid communication with one of the at least two wells (47a-d); and at least two liquid aspiration tubes (98a-d) for establishing fluid communication with said vacuum pump, one of said aspiration tubes in fluid communication with one of the at least two wells (47 a-d); whereby said fluid manifold is disposed a chosen distance from said microchip for establishing fluid communication between said at least two liquid dispensing tubes (94 - 97) and said at least two liquid aspiration tubes (98a-d) and the at least two wells (47a-d), and to a greater than the chosen distance for electrical measurements; wherein said fluid manifold further comprises projections (88, 90a, 90b) for accurately spacing said fluid manifold at said chosen distance from said microchip.