Integration of sample storage and sample management for life science

• US 20050276728A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomatrica, Inc. (Exact Sciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Biomatrica, Inc. (Exact Sciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Hermstadt, Corinna, Muller, Rolf, Muller-Cohn, Judy
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/00 Preservation of bodies of humans or animals, or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/02 Preservation of living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0263 Non-refrigerated containers specially adapted for transporting or storing living parts whilst preserving, e.g. cool boxes, blood bags or "straws" for cryopreservation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/043 Hinged closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50255 Multi-well filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00108 Test strips, e.g. paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00782 reprogrammmable code
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates

Abstract

Compositions and methods are disclosed for automated storing, tracking, retrieving and analyzing biological samples, including dry storage at ambient temperatures of nucleic acids, proteins (including enzymes), and cells using a dry storage matrix that permits recovery of biologically active materials. RFID-tagged biological sample storage devices featuring dissolvable or dissociable matrices are described for use as supports of biological samples, which matrices can be dried and subsequently rehydrated for sample recovery. Also disclosed are computer-implemented systems and methods for managing sample data.

Claims

1. A biological sample storage device for one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising:

(a) a lid;

(b) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises a matrix material; and

(c) at least one radio frequency transponder device.

2. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 wherein the matrix material dissolves or dissociates in a solvent.

3. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 which comprises a closure means for closing the lid onto the sample plate.

4. The biological sample storage device of claim 3 wherein the closure means comprises a magnetic closure.

5. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 which comprises an airtight closure joint.

6. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 comprising an airtight closure joint around each well.

7. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 comprising a magnetic closure and an airtight closure joint around each well.

8. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 wherein the matrix material is capable of dry storage of the sample without refrigeration.

10. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 or 9 wherein at least one well comprises at least one detectable indicator.

11. The biological sample storage device of claim 10 wherein the detectable indicator comprises a calorimetric indicator.

12. The biological sample storage device of claim 10 wherein the detectable indicator is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent indicator, a luminescent indicator, a phosphorescent indicator, a radiometric indicator, a dye, an enzyme, a substrate of an enzyme, an energy transfer molecule, and an affinity label.

13. The biological sample storage device of claim. 10 wherein the detectable indicator is capable of detectably indicating presence of at least one of an amine, an alcohol, an aldehyde, water, a thiol, a sulfide, a nitrite, avidin, biotin, an immunoglobulin, an oligosaccharide, a nucleic acid, a polypeptide, an enzyme, a cytoskeletal protein, a reactive oxygen species, a metal ion, pH, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻

, a cyanide, a phosphate and selenium.

14. The biological sample storage device of claim 10 wherein the detectable indicator is selected from the group consisting of phenol red, ethidium bromide, a DNA polymerase, a restriction endonuclease, cobalt chloride, Reichardt'"'"'s dye and a fluorogenic protease substrate.

15. A biological sample storage device according to claim 1 or 9 wherein at least one well comprises at least one inhibitor that is a biological inhibitor or a biochemical inhibitor.

16. The biological sample storage device of claim 15 wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of validamycin A, TL-3, sodium orthovanadate, sodium fluoride, N-α

-tosyl-Phe-chloromethylketone, N-α

-tosyl-Lys-chloromethylketone, aprotinin, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and diisopropylfluoro-phosphate.

17. The biological sample storage device of claim 15 wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a kinase inhibitor, a phosphatase inhibitor, a caspase inhibitor, a granzyme inhibitor, a cell adhesion inhibitor, a cell division inhibitor, a cell cycle inhibitor, a lipid signaling inhibitor and a protease inhibitor.

18. The biological sample storage device of claim 15 wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a reducing agent, an alkylating agent and an antimicrobial agent.

9. A biological sample storage device for one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising:

(a) a lid;

(b) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises a matrix material that dissolves or dissociates in a solvent; and

(c) at least one radio frequency transponder device.

19. A biological sample storage device according to claim 9 wherein the matrix material is capable of dry storage of the sample without refrigeration.

20. A biological sample storage device according to claim 9 wherein the matrix material comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

21. A biological sample storage device according to claim 9 wherein the matrix material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, agarose, poly-N-vinylacetamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(4-vinylpyridine), polyphenylene oxide, crosslinked acrylamide, polymethacrylate, carbon nanotube, polylactide, lactide/glycolide copolymer, hydroxymethacrylate copolymer, calcium pectinate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, hyaluronic acid, glucuronic acid, thrombospondin-1 N-terminal heparin-binding domain, fibronectin, a peptide/water-soluble polymeric modifier conjugate and collagen.

22. A biological sample storage device according to claim 9 wherein the matrix material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of hydroxyectoine, polystyrene and trehalose.

23. A kit, comprising:

(I) a biological sample storage device for one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising;

(a) a lid;

(b) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises a matrix material; and

(c) at least one radio frequency transponder device; and

(II) one or more ancillary reagents.

24. The kit of claim 23 wherein the matrix material dissolves or dissociates in a solvent

25. A method of storing one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising:

contacting one or a plurality of biological samples with a biological sample storage device, said biological sample storage device comprising (i) a lid, (ii) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises a matrix material, and (iii) at least one radio frequency transponder device, and thereby storing said biological samples.

26. The method of claim 25, comprising maintaining the biological sample storage device without refrigeration subsequent to the step of contacting.

27. A method of storing one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising:

(a) contacting one or a plurality of biological samples with a biological sample storage device, said biological sample storage device comprising (i) a lid, (ii) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises a matrix material that dissolves or dissociates in a solvent, and (iii) at least one radio frequency transponder device; and

(b) drying one or more of the sample wells, and thereby storing said biological samples.

28. The method of claim 27, comprising maintaining the biological sample storage device without refrigeration subsequent to the steps of contacting and drying.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein biological activity of the sample subsequent to the step of maintaining is substantially the same as biological activity of the sample prior to the step of contacting.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein degradation of the biological sample is decreased relative to degradation of a control biological sample maintained without refrigeration in the absence of the matrix material.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of contacting comprises simultaneously dissolving or dissociating the matrix material in a solvent.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of contacting is preceded by dissolving or dissociating the matrix material in a solvent.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of contacting is followed by dissolving or dissociating the matrix material in a solvent.

34. A method of preparing a biological sample storage device for one or a plurality of biological samples, comprising:

(a) administering a matrix material that dissolves or dissociates in a solvent to one or a plurality of sample wells of a biological sample storage device, wherein said biological sample storage device comprises (i) a lid, (ii) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample, and (iii) at least one radio frequency transponder device; and

(b) drying one or more of the sample wells, and thereby preparing the biological sample storage device.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of administering comprises administering a liquid solution or a liquid suspension that contains the matrix material and the solvent.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one well comprises at least one detectable indicator.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one well comprises at least one inhibitor that is a biological inhibitor or a biochemical inhibitor.

38. A method of recovering a stored biological sample, comprising:

(a) contacting, simultaneously or sequentially and in either order in a biological sample storage device, one or a plurality of biological samples with a matrix material, said biological sample storage device comprising (i) a lid, (ii) a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing the biological sample, wherein one or more of said wells comprises the matrix material and wherein the matrix material dissolves or dissociates in a first solvent, and (iii) at least one radio frequency transponder device;

(b) drying one or more of the sample wells;

(c) maintaining the biological sample storage device without refrigeration subsequent to the steps of contacting and drying; and

(d) resuspending or redissolving the biological sample in a second solvent, and therefrom recovering the stored biological sample.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein biological activity of the sample subsequent to the step of maintaining is substantially the same as biological activity of the sample prior to the step of contacting.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of (i) a solvent that is the same as the first solvent and (ii) a solvent that is different from the first solvent.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein at least one of the first solvent and the second solvent is an activity buffer.

42. A system for processing data regarding the storage, organization, tracking, retrieval, and analysis of biological samples, the system comprising:

a biological sample device;

a computer-implemented system for receiving and transmitting data regarding the sample device; and

a radio frequency interface between the sample device and the computer-implemented system for providing a communication link between the computer-implemented system and the sample device.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein the computer-implemented system comprises a data structure for maintaining data regarding the storage, organization, tracking, retrieval, and analysis of biological samples associated with the sample device.

44. The system of claim 42 wherein the radio frequency interface comprises a radio frequency interrogator coupled to the computer-implemented system and at least one transponder device associated with the sample device for radio frequency communication with the interrogator.

45. A method for processing data regarding the storage, organization, tracking, retrieval, and analysis of biological samples, the method comprising:

providing a sample device for storing one or more biological samples;

providing a computer-implemented system for receiving, storing, and transmitting data regarding the sample device or the biological sample or both;

providing a radio frequency communication interface between the sample device and the computer-implemented system.

46. The method of claim 45, comprising generating control signals from the computer-implemented system to cause the radio frequency interface to retrieve data from the sample device.

47. The method of claim 45, comprising generating control signals by the computer-implemented system to transmit data to the sample device via the radio frequency interface.

48. A system for processing data regarding the storage, organization, tracking, retrieval, and analysis of biological samples, the system comprising:

a biological sample storage device, said sample storage device comprising a lid;

a sample plate comprising one or a plurality of sample wells that are capable of containing a biological sample; and

at least one radio frequency transponder device;

a computer-implemented system for receiving and transmitting data regarding the sample storage device; and

a radio frequency interface between the sample device and the computer-implemented system for providing a communication link between the computer-implemented system and the sample device.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein the computer-implemented system comprises a 3-tier architecture having a web browser, a web server program, and a database server, and a client-side application that controls operation of the radio frequency interface.

50. The system of claim 49, further comprising a USB interface between the web browser and an RFID reader.

51. The system of claim 48 wherein the computer-implemented system comprises a 2-tier architecture having an Excel macro program on a client side and a database server.

52. The system of claim 48 wherein the computer-implemented system comprises a 2-tier architecture having a stand-alone client application and a database server in communication with the client application.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the client application is a compiled application.