Method of preparing nucleic acids for detection

1. An apparatus for preparing a test sample for purposes of detecting a predetermined target nucleic acid, such apparatus comprising:

a test probe comprising a oligonucleotide attached to a nanoparticle;

a hybridization unit containing the test sample and the test probe, wherein said hybridization unit further comprises a target sample substrate, a distribution manifold coupled to a first side of the substrate and a hybridization chamber, the distribution manifold having a plurality of passageways;

a processing fluids manifold having a plurality of passageways clamped to the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit;

a gasket disposed between the substrate and the distribution manifold that defines the hybridization chamber between the gasket and substrate and that also defines a plurality of passageways extending parallel to and between opposing surfaces of the substrate and distribution manifold where each passageway of the gasket interconnects the hybridization chamber and a respective passageway of the processing fluids manifold through a respective passageway of the distribution manifold;

means for denaturing the test sample; and

means for preparing the test sample for detecting the predetermined nucleic acid by pumping a plurality of processing fluids between the processing fluids source manifold and distribution manifold where each processing fluid of the plurality of processing fluids is pumped through a respective passageway of the processing fluids manifold, the distribution manifold and gasket to hybridize the test probe and predetermined target nucleic acid to the target sample substrate, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify a detectable parameter of the nanoparticle of the hybridized sample.

2. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 1 further comprising a hybridization solution disposed in a sample well disposed in the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit.

3. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 2 further comprising the test probe disposed a sample well disposed in the distribution manifold.

4. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 1 further comprising the test sample disposed in a sample well of the hybridization unit.

5. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 4 wherein the means for denaturing the test sample further comprises a heater adapted to heat the sample well.

6. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 5 further comprising an oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to a first portion of a genetic sequence of the predetermined target nucleic acid disposed within a hybridization zone of the hybridization unit.

7. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 6 wherein the oligonucleotide disposed within a hybridization zone of the hybridization unit further comprises the oligonucleotide physically connected to the target sample substrate.

8. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 7 further comprising defining the oligonucleotide attached to the nanparticle as having a genetic sequence complementary to a second portion of the genetic sequence of the predetermined nucleic acid.

9. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 8 further comprising a first pump adapted to draw a content of the sample well from the sample well into the hybridization zone using a fluid coupled through a first port of the processing fluids manifold.

10. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 9 further comprising a cooling element adapted to chill the content of the sample well as the content is drawn into the hybridization zone.

11. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 9 further comprising a second pump adapted to hybridize the probe and predetermined nucleic acid with the oligonucleotide connected to the target sample substrate by shuttling the content of the well through the hybridization zone a predetermined number of times.

12. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 11 further comprising a third pump adapted to flush the hybridized probe, predetermined nucleic acid and oligonucleotide connected to the target sample substrate by introducing wash fluid through a second port and discharging wash fluid through the first port.

13. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 12 further comprising a fourth and fifth pump adapted to introduce and mix fluids to amplify optical characteristics of the hybridized probe, predetermined nucleic acid and oligonucleotide connected to the target sample substrate by introducing a plating solution through a second port and discharging spent plating solution through the first port.

14. The apparatus for preparing the test sample as in claim 13 further comprising defining the plating solution as being a silver solution.