A microfluidic device , comprising: a substrate having a surface and a plurality of channels disposed in the surface, each of the channels having an inlet end and an outlet end; a membrane solvent bonded to the surface of the substrate, the membrane having opposing flat surfaces wherein the membrane is configured to lie substantially against the surface of the substrate forming a seal between the plurality of channels in an unactuated state and the membrane further having an actuated state so as to provide a cavity suitable for fluid flow between the plurality of microfluidic channels; at least one reagent reservoir of a type capable of holding a material; a plurality of outlet reservoirs coupled to respective outlet ends of the plurality of channels; at least one bi-directional diaphragm pump comprising at least three independently actuatable planar valve structures being connected in series by respective ones of the channels , wherein the at least three independently actuatable valve structures are configured to be in a normally closed position when the membrane is in the unactuated state and configured to be in an open position to allow fluid flow when the membrane is in the actuated state; a distribution valve disposed in fluid coupling with the at least one reagent reservoir and the at least one of the inlet ends, adapted to controllably direct a flow of the material from the at least one reagent reservoir to a plurality of outlet reservoirs via at least one of the channels coupled to the distribution valve; and at least one insert configured to inter-fit within at least one of the channels and having a reaction surface for interacting with the material. a substrate having a surface and a plurality of channels disposed in the surface, each of the channels having an inlet end and an outlet end; a membrane solvent bonded to the surface of the substrate, the membrane having opposing flat surfaces wherein the membrane is configured to lie substantially against the surface of the substrate forming a seal between the plurality of channels in an unactuated state and the membrane further having an actuated state so as to provide a cavity suitable for fluid flow between the plurality of microfluidic channels; at least one reagent reservoir of a type capable of holding a material; a plurality of outlet reservoirs coupled to respective outlet ends of the plurality of channels; at least one bi-directional diaphragm pump comprising at least three independently actuatable planar valve structures being connected in series by respective ones of the channels , wherein the at least three independently actuatable valve structures are configured to be in a normally closed position when the membrane is in the unactuated state and configured to be in an open position to allow fluid flow when the membrane is in the actuated state; a distribution valve disposed in fluid coupling with the at least one reagent reservoir and the at least one of the inlet ends, adapted to controllably direct a flow of the material from the at least one reagent reservoir to a plurality of outlet reservoirs via at least one of the channels coupled to the distribution valve; and at least one insert configured to inter-fit within at least one of the channels and having a reaction surface for interacting with the material. <EOS>