PCR-slide: a modular and cascadable platform for DNA sample processing with integrated nanolitre dosage

For the first time we present a novel DNA sample processing platform with an integrated nanolitre dosage unit for extraction of processed materials in nanolitre quantities. A unique feature of the new platform is the possibility to link several sample processing steps including dilution/titration without any need for external pipetting equipment except for sample loading. This has been demonstrated by using the oligonucleotide ligase assay (OLA) coupled to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a sequence which requires a 1:15 dilution of OLA in PCR.