Patent ID: 8273308

Claim:
A system, comprising: a microfluidic device; a computer-controlled heat source; and a detector; wherein the microfluidic device comprises: an upstream channel; a DNA manipulation module located downstream from the upstream channel; a DNA manipulation zone within the DNA manipulation module and configured to perform PCR amplification of a sample; a first valve disposed within the DNA manipulation module upstream of the DNA manipulation zone; a second valve disposed within the DNA manipulation module downstream of the DNA manipulation zone; and a vent disposed within the DNA manipulation module and separated from the upstream channel by the first and second valves; a controller programmed to close the first and second valves to prevent gas and liquid from flowing into or out of the DNA manipulation zone when amplification of the sample occurs, wherein the only ingress to and egress from the DNA manipulation zone is through the first and second valves, and wherein the computer-controlled heat source is in thermal contact with the DNA manipulation zone; and wherein the detector is configured to identify one or more polynucleotides within the DNA manipulation zone.