Microfluidic devices

1. An instrument configured to perform variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis on a cell-containing sample, comprising:

(a) an integrated set of modules comprising:

(i) a capturing and concentrating off-chip macroscale module comprising:

(1) a reservoir dimensioned to receive a liquid having an initial sample volume of a milliliter to a liter,

(2) magnetic beads contained in the macroscale module configured for capturing and concentrating a DNA analyte from said initial sample volume; and

(3) a reservoir containing lysis buffer;

(ii) a bioprocessor module comprising:

(1) a microfluidic chip comprising a microfluidic channel in fluidic communication with the macroscale module and configured to receive the magnetic beads from said macroscale module,

(2) PCR primers for amplifying variable number tandem repeats, and

(3) a reaction chamber in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to receive the DNA analyte and for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction on the DNA analyte to produce a processed sample; and

(iii) an analysis module fluidically connected to said reaction chamber and comprising a capillary array electrophoresis device;

(b) a magnet configured to immobilize the magnetic beads with the captured DNA in the macroscale module and to release the magnetic beads with the captured DNA analyte into a reduced sample volume as compared to the initial sample volume;

(c) a pressure source configured for moving the magnetic beads from the macroscale module into the microfluidic channel, wherein the magnetic beads with captured DNA analyte move into the microfluidic chip in said reduced sample volume;

(d) a thermal cycling temperature control element for performing thermal cycling in the reaction chamber; and

(e) a computer comprising software programmed to control the pressure source and the thermal cycling control element.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic beads are carboxylated.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic chip comprises at least one pneumatically operated diaphragm valve.

4. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic chip comprises a fluidic layer, a deformable membrane layer and a pneumatic layer, said fluidic layer comprising the microfluidic channel, and said at least one pneumatically operated diaphragm valve comprising the deformable membrane layer.

5. The instrument of claim 4 wherein said deformable membrane layer comprises polydimethylsiloxane.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said reagents for amplifying VNTRs comprise reagents for performing PCR.

7. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic microchip is disposable or reusable.

8. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said software sequentially operates pneumatic solenoids so as to create a pumping action that drives fluid in the microfluidic channel.

9. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said capillary electrophoresis array is on-chip.

10. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said capillary electrophoresis array is off-chip.

11. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the capillary electrophoresis array is arranged radially.

12. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a waste reservoir.

13. A method for performing variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis on a cell-containing sample, comprising the steps of:

a) concentrating a DNA analyte in a macroscale module by:

(i) providing a sample comprising cells comprising a DNA analyte in an initial volume into an off-chip macroscale module configured to hold a volume of a milliliter to a liter;

(ii) lysing cells in the sample to release DNA from said initial volume;

(iii) capturing the released DNA analyte onto a plurality of magnetic beads in the macroscale module;

(iv) immobilizing the magnetic beads with the captured DNA analyte in the macroscale module with a magnet;

(v) washing the magnetic beads with the captured DNA analyte; and

(vi) releasing the washed beads into a reduced volume compared with said initial volume to concentrate the DNA analyte;

b) introducing, with pressure from a pressure source, the released magnetic beads with the captured DNA analyte in the reduced volume into a bioprocessor module that is fluidically integrated with the macroscale module, wherein introducing comprises passing the magnetic beads with the captured DNA analyte from the macroscale module through a microfluidic channel in a microfluidic chip and into a reaction chamber in the bioprocessor module wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic communication with the macroscale module and with the reaction chamber;

c) amplifying variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) in the DNA analyte in the reaction chamber using PCR primers; and

d) analyzing the amplified DNA analyte by capillary electrophoresis in an analysis module fluidically integrated with the bioprocessor module.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the initial volume comprising the analyte in the macroscale module is one milliliter to one liter.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising eluting the analytes from the magnetic beads in the bioprocessor module.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the introducing comprises pumping the magnetic beads into the microfluidic chip using an on-chip diaphragm pump comprising a series of three diaphragm valves.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising moving a lysis buffer into a chamber in the macroscale module that holds the cells.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein amplifying comprises thermal cycling.

19. The method of claim 13 , comprising performing capillary electrophoresis off-chip.

20. The method of claim 13 performed on a plurality of samples.