Patent ID: 8058054

Claim:
A system for performing real-time PCR and melting of DNA, comprising: a microfluidic device comprising: a microfluidic channel having a PCR zone and a DNA melting zone, a first reagent well in fluid communication with the channel and a second reagent well in fluid communication with the channel; a sipper connected to the microfluidic device, the sipper being in fluid communication with the channel; a pump for forcing a sample to flow through the channel; a well plate comprising a buffer well for storing a buffer solution and a sample well for storing a sample solution containing a DNA sample; a buffer solution storage container for storing a buffer solution, the buffer solution storage container being in fluid communication with the buffer well of the well plate; a positioning system operable to position the well plate; a temperature control system for cycling the temperature of a sample while the sample is in the PCR zone of the channel and for providing heat for melting the DNA contained in the sample while the sample is in the DNA melting zone; an imaging system for detecting emissions from the PCR zone and from the DNA melting zone, the imaging system comprising: a first excitation source and a detector configured and arranged to detect emissions from the PCR zone and a second excitation source and a detector configured and arranged to detect emissions from the DNA melting zone; wherein the first excitation source for the PCR zone and the second excitation source for the DNA melting zone are different types; and a main controller in communication with (a) the temperature control system, (b) the positioning system, (c) the imaging system, and (d) a display device.