Integrated Microdevice for DNA Restriction Fragment Analysis

An integrated monolithic device (8 mm × 10 mm) that performs an automated biochemical procedure is demonstrated. The device mixes a DNA sample with a restriction enzyme in a 0.7-nL reaction chamber and after a digestion period injects the fragments onto a 67-mm-long capillary electrophoresis channel for sizing. Materials are precisely manipulated under computer control within the channel structure using electrokinetic transport. Digestion of the plasmid pBR322 by the enzyme HinfI and fragment analysis are completed in 5 min using 30 amol of DNA and 2.8 × 10(-3) unit of enzyme per run.