Methods and devices for electromagnetic amplification of nucleic acids
First Claim
1. A device for amplifying at least one sample of nucleic acid, comprising:
- a circuit including at least one conductor through which a current is passed to induce a magnetic field;
a container support adapted to support at least one container of the nucleic acid sample, wherein at least a portion of the container and the sample are positioned within the magnetic field, and wherein the device includes no heating element that the sample is exposed to other than the magnetic-field-inducing circuit; and
a control unit adapted to control the current and the induced magnetic field, wherein the nucleic acid sample is amplified in response to being subjected to the magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic-field-inducing circuit is adapted and operated so that the current is a mini-current and the nucleic-acid amplification is thermal-free.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for amplifying nucleic acids generally involve exposing the nucleic acid to an electromagnetic field, for example a mini-current magnetic field, while performing the steps of PCR. The PCR methods and devices provide numerous advantages over conventional PCR techniques and systems such as reduced reaction times, no heating requirements, and reduced amounts of reagents (e.g., optional use polymerases and primers). Additionally, the PCR methods and devices require significantly shorter reaction times (e.g., less than one hour) compared to conventional PCR techniques and systems (minimum 2 hours). Finally, as shown in the Examples, the PCR methods and devices amplify significantly more DNA compared to conventional PCR techniques and systems. Accordingly, the PCR methods and devices provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to perform PCR when compared to conventional PCR techniques and systems.
34 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for amplifying at least one sample of nucleic acid, comprising:
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a circuit including at least one conductor through which a current is passed to induce a magnetic field; a container support adapted to support at least one container of the nucleic acid sample, wherein at least a portion of the container and the sample are positioned within the magnetic field, and wherein the device includes no heating element that the sample is exposed to other than the magnetic-field-inducing circuit; and a control unit adapted to control the current and the induced magnetic field, wherein the nucleic acid sample is amplified in response to being subjected to the magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic-field-inducing circuit is adapted and operated so that the current is a mini-current and the nucleic-acid amplification is thermal-free. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19)
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9. A device for amplifying at least one sample of nucleic acid, comprising:
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a circuit including at least one conductor through which a mini-current is passed to induce a magnetic field; at least one tube having a working portion through which the nucleic acid sample flows for continuous processing of the sample; a tube support adapted to support the tube working portion, and the nucleic acid sample carried therein, within the magnetic field; and a control unit adapted to control the mini-current and the induced magnetic field, wherein the nucleic acid sample is amplified in response to being subjected to the magnetic field, wherein the conductor of the magnetic-field-inducing circuit and the tube working portion are positioned to provide a uniform exposure of the nucleic acid sample in the tube working portion to the magnetic field, wherein the device includes no heating element that the sample is exposed to other than the magnetic-field-inducing circuit, and wherein the magnetic-field-inducing circuit is adapted so that the nucleic-acid amplification is thermal-free. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification