DNA purification in microfluidic systems for clinical and forensic application

This dissertation describes the development of microfluidic, solid phase DNA purification methods using silica-based extraction of nucleic acids from a variety of clinically- and forensically-relevant samples. The optimization of DNA purification from semen for forensic STR amplifications is detailed, along with the evaluation of different silica solid phases. The integration of microfluidic DNA purification with microchip-based PCR amplification in a valveless system is discussed in depth, and the integrated sample preparation of a number of biological samples (blood, spleen tissue, etc.) is presented. In addition, a more complex microfluidic device is presented that fuses the on-board sample processing with electrophoretic separation/detection. This microfluidic genetic analysis system represents the first fully-integrated microfluidic device developed capable of integrated sample processing and genetic analysis. Finally, a method is presented for the electrophoretically-assisted concentration of DNA in a pressure-based purification system, with the goal of enhancing the performance of the microfluidic genetic analysis system.