MICROFLUIDIC SIPHONING ARRAY FOR NUCLEIC ACID QUANTIFICATION
In some aspects, the present disclose provides methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids. Methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids comprise isolating a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules into a plurality of microchambers, performing a polymerase chain reaction on the plurality of microchambers, and analyzing the results of the polymerase chain reaction. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides devices consistent with the methods herein.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A device for processing a sample, comprising a chamber configured to (i) retain said sample during processing and (ii) permit gas flow from a location within said chamber through a wall of said chamber to a location external to said chamber.
22 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a fluid flow path in fluid communication with said chamber, wherein said fluid flow path is configured to provide a reagent to said chamber.
23 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a siphon aperture in fluid communication with said chamber, wherein said siphon aperture is configured to provide a reagent to said chamber.
24 . The device of claim 21 , wherein said wall comprises a polymeric material.
25 . The device of claim 24 , wherein said polymeric material is inelastic.
26 . The device of claim 24 , wherein said polymeric material is a thermoplastic.
27 . The device of claim 21 , wherein said wall is impermeable to water.
28 . The device of claim 21 , wherein said chamber comprises a plurality of walls, which plurality of walls comprises said wall.
29 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a pressure unit configured to supply a pressure drop across said wall, which pressure drop is sufficient to induce said gas flow.
30 . A method for processing a sample, comprising providing a device comprising a chamber that (i) retains said sample and (ii) permits gas flow from a location within said chamber through a wall of said chamber to a location external to said chamber.
31 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising inducing said gas flow.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein said gas flow is induced with aid of a pressure unit that supplies a pressure drop across said wall.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein said device further comprises a fluid flow path in fluid communication with said chamber, wherein said fluid flow path provides a reagent to said chamber for processing said sample.
34 . The method of claim 30 , wherein said device further comprises a siphon aperture in fluid communication with said chamber, wherein said siphon aperture provides a reagent to said chamber for processing said sample.
35 . The method of claim 30 , wherein said wall comprises a polymeric material.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said polymeric material is inelastic.
37 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said polymeric material is a thermoplastic.
38 . The method of claim 30 , wherein said chamber comprises a plurality of walls, which plurality of walls comprises said wall.
39 . The method of claim 30 , wherein said sample is a nucleic acid sample, and wherein said nucleic acid sample is subjected to nucleic acid amplification within said chamber.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein said nucleic acid amplification is polymerase chain reaction.