DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE IN A MICROFLUIDIC ENVIRONMENT

摘要

The present invention provides improved methods that allow accurate monitoring and/or control of temperature changes in a microfluidic environment. An advantage of the present invention is that the temperature can be monitored and/or controlled at any location within a microfluidic device, especially where a preparation step, an amplification step and/or a detection step is performed. The invention further provides improved microfluidic devices for practicing the methods disclosed and claimed herein.

主权项

1. A method for monitoring temperature in a microfluidic chamber, the method comprising:
a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a substrate, a temperature control means, and at least one microfluidic chamber, said chamber comprising:
(i) a bottom surface and a top surface defining a vertical dimension;(ii) a plurality of temperature sensitive agents disposed at a plurality of different areas within said chamber; b) adjusting temperature in a first area of said chamber to a first target temperature at which at least one of said temperature sensitive agents undergoes a first optical transition; and c) detecting said first optical transition at a plurality of different positions along said vertical dimension to determine whether or not said first target temperature has been reached throughout said vertical dimension.