Systems and methods for real-time PCR
First Claim
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1. A real-time DNA amplification and analysis method, comprising:
- creating a script, wherein the script contains configuration information;
preparing a microfluidic device having a microfluidic channel having a PCR zone and a DNAmelting zone;
reading the script to obtain the configuration information;
positioning a well plate relative to the device, the well plate having a buffer well containing a buffer solution and sample well containing a sample solution containing a DNA sample;
activating a pump, wherein the pump is configured to create a pressure differential that causes the sample solution to flow through the channel, wherein the sample flows through the PCR zone prior to flowing through the DNA melting zone;
while the sample is flowing through the channel;
cycling the temperature of the sample according to configuration information included in the script as the sample flows through the PCR zone to amplify the DNA sample;
illuminating the sample with a first excitation source as the sample flows through the PCR zone and using a first image detector to obtain more than one image of the sample;
processing the images;
determining whether another PCR cycle is needed, and if so, causing additional temperature cycling to occur; and
melting the amplified DNA, illuminating the sample with a second excitation source as the sample flows through the DNA melting zone and using a second image detector to obtain more than one image of the sample, and wherein the first and second excitation sources are of different types.
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.
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16 Claims
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1. A real-time DNA amplification and analysis method, comprising:
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creating a script, wherein the script contains configuration information; preparing a microfluidic device having a microfluidic channel having a PCR zone and a DNA melting zone; reading the script to obtain the configuration information; positioning a well plate relative to the device, the well plate having a buffer well containing a buffer solution and sample well containing a sample solution containing a DNA sample; activating a pump, wherein the pump is configured to create a pressure differential that causes the sample solution to flow through the channel, wherein the sample flows through the PCR zone prior to flowing through the DNA melting zone; while the sample is flowing through the channel; cycling the temperature of the sample according to configuration information included in the script as the sample flows through the PCR zone to amplify the DNA sample; illuminating the sample with a first excitation source as the sample flows through the PCR zone and using a first image detector to obtain more than one image of the sample; processing the images; determining whether another PCR cycle is needed, and if so, causing additional temperature cycling to occur; and melting the amplified DNA, illuminating the sample with a second excitation source as the sample flows through the DNA melting zone and using a second image detector to obtain more than one image of the sample, and wherein the first and second excitation sources are of different types. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification