Apparatus and methods for active biological sample preparation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for active biological sample preparation adapted to separate desired materials from undesired materials comprising:
- a first sample chamber, adapted to receive a buffer solution,a second sample chamber, adapted to receive a buffer solution,a spacer compartment disposed between the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber, the spacer compartment providing a trap having a differential effect on the desired materials versus undesired materials,a first electrode adapted for electrical contact with the buffer solution when located within the first sample chamber, anda second electrode adapted for electrical contact with the buffer solution when in the second sample chamber, characterized by havinga protective layer between the first sample chamber and the first electrode, thereby forming a first electrode chamber within the first sample chamber, wherein the protective layer is a membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for the electronic sample preparation of biological materials utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio and/or the differential affinity of sample constituents to separation materials for sample preparation. An integrated system is provided for performing some or all of the processes of: receipt of biological materials, cell selection, sample purification, sample concentration, buffer exchange, complexity reduction and/or diagnosis and analysis. In one embodiment, one or more sample chambers adapted to receive a buffer solution are formed adjacent to a spacer region which may include a trap or other affinity material, electrophoretic motion of the materials to be prepared being effected through operation of electrodes. In another aspect of this invention, a transporter or dipstick serves to collect and permit transport of materials, such as nucleic acids, most preferably DNA and/or RNA. In one embodiment, a membrane or trap is held in a frame which is adapted to mate with a channel formed in the spacer region. In another aspect of this invention, an electrophoretic system for biological sample preparation is operated in a manner so as to utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio so as to control the migration of materials within the solution. In one aspect, bunching of selected materials is achieved by operation of two electrodes in a manner so as to reduce the spatial dispersion of those materials. In another aspect of this invention, a vertically disposed sample preparation unit includes an upper reservoir including and a collection chamber. A sample is preferably pre-prepared and densified, applied to the conductive polymer, electrophoresed so as to move nucleic acids into the conductive polymer and move undesired material away from the conductive polymer. Integrated systems are described in which cell separation, purification, complexity reduction and diagnosis may be performed together. In the preferred embodiment, cell separation and sample purification are performed in a first region, the steps of denaturation, complexity reduction and diagnosis being performed in a second region.
145 Citations
77 Claims
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1. An apparatus for active biological sample preparation adapted to separate desired materials from undesired materials comprising:
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a first sample chamber, adapted to receive a buffer solution, a second sample chamber, adapted to receive a buffer solution, a spacer compartment disposed between the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber, the spacer compartment providing a trap having a differential effect on the desired materials versus undesired materials, a first electrode adapted for electrical contact with the buffer solution when located within the first sample chamber, and a second electrode adapted for electrical contact with the buffer solution when in the second sample chamber, characterized by having a protective layer between the first sample chamber and the first electrode, thereby forming a first electrode chamber within the first sample chamber, wherein the protective layer is a membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A device for purification of DNA from a sample including proteinaceous material having a charge-to-mass ratio which is greater than that of the DNA, the device comprising:
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an upper reservoir adapted for receipt of a buffer solution, and for receipt of a sample solution containing DNA and proteinaceous material, a collection chamber, disposed downstream of the upper reservoir, adapted for receipt of a buffer solution and for receipt of the DNA, characterized by having a membrane defining at least a portion of the collection chamber, a polymer, disposed upstream and adjacent to the collection chamber, wherein the polymer is in a fixed position relative to the collection chamber, electrodes adapted for electrical contact with the buffer solution to provide electrophoretic movement of the DNA and proteinaceous material through the polymer and collection chamber, wherein the electrodes are disposed in a direction which is parallel to the membrane, and the distance between the electrodes and the membrane is equal to or greater than the height of the collection chamber. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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Specification