초록

The invention relates to a microfabricated device and methods of using the device for analyzing and sorting polynucleotide molecules by size.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for transporting and detecting polynucleotides in a microfluidic device, said method comprising: a) providing a sample comprising polynucleotide molecules of different sizes, wherein said polynucleotide molecules comprise DNA and/or RNA;b) providing a microfluidic device comprising an in

1. A method for transporting and detecting polynucleotides in a microfluidic device, said method comprising: a) providing a sample comprising polynucleotide molecules of different sizes, wherein said polynucleotide molecules comprise DNA and/or RNA;b) providing a microfluidic device comprising an inlet, a first microfluidic channel in fluidic communication with a second microfluidic channel, wherein said first and second microfluidic channels join at a junction, and wherein said first microfluidic channel is in fluidic communication with said inlet;c) transporting said sample into said inlet port and through said first microfluidic channel to said junction with a hydrostatic pressure differential;d) at said junction electrophoretically diverting said polynucleotides from said first microfluidic channel into said second microfluidic channel;e) transporting said polynucleotide through said second microfluidic channel; andf) detecting said polynucleotide by detecting an optically detectable reporter associated with said polynucleotide. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said polynucleotides are single-stranded DNA molecules. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the optically-detectable reporter comprises a fluorescent moiety. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said polynucleotides are single-stranded RNA molecules. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the optically-detectable reporter comprises a fluorescent moiety. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the optically-detectable reporter comprises a fluorescent moiety. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrostatic pressure results from applying pressure at the inlet end.