METHOD OF SAMPLE ANALYSIS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing and analysing samples. The invention can be used in relation to any sample analysis where processing of the sample with one or more reagents is required. The invention has particular relevance for the DNA analysis of biological materials. The method includes introducing the sample into a conduit ( 10 ), where the conduit ( 10 ) has at least one encapsulated aqueous solution of one or more sample processing reagents ( 13 ) and where each encapsulated aqueous solution ( 13 ) is encapsulated by a solid or semi-solid hydrophobic material ( 12 ); applying heat so that the solid or semi-solid material ( 12 ) liquefies allowing the sample and/or the at least one encapsulated aqueous solution ( 13 ) to move along the conduit ( 10 ); causing the aqueous solution of one or more sample processing reagents ( 13 ) to come into contact with the sample and react with the sample to form a product mixture; and detecting the presence, and optionally measuring the concentration, of a product in the product mixture.