Nucleic acid extraction is an important element of sample preparation for genomic analysis
which requires extracting DNA or RNA and removing other proteins or impurities. In this chapter, we
firstly review traditional large-scale methods for DNA extraction and purification, followed by
corresponding microfluidics based approaches. And then an example of DNA extraction from whole
blood and culture cells in a microfluidic chip is provided in which the device design, fabrication and
testing, based on the principle of solid phase extract (SPE) are covered in detail. In this specific
example, various solid phase matrixes have been prepared, characterized and tested.
Keywords: DNA extraction, solid phase extraction, porous matrix, MEMS, microfluidics.
