Automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence

• US 20060003373A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Horner, Glenn A., Smith, Robert J., Burns, Ralph E., Schneider, Robert E., Ammann, Kelly G., Hansberry, Ernest V., Nieglos, Donald J., Kling, John E., Jakub, Cheryl A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,524,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/10 with receptacles rotated about two different axes, e.g. receptacles having planetary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/30 Mixing the contents of individual packages or containers, e.g. by rotating tins or bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/322 of two or more containers supported for simultaneous mixing, e.g. for bottles in crates
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/40354 arranged for planetary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/5255 by moving sample containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/282 with associated accumulation indicator, e.g. Hall sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/288 disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/30 Combinations with other devices, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/26 for use in medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6813 Hybridisation assays
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6832 Enhancement of hybridisation reaction
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6834 Enzymatic or biochemical coupling of nucleic acids to a solid phase
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2537/10 the purpose or use of
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00356 Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0437 : Cleaning cuvettes or reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0455 : Coaxial carousels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 : using disposable tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 : involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 : having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 : Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1105 : Delaminating process responsive to feed or shape at delamination
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1906 : Delaminating means responsive to feed or shape at delamination
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53657 : to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53683 : Spreading parts apart or separating them from face to face engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53843 : Tube, sleeve, or ferrule inserting or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 : Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 : with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 : with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 : with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.

Claims

1. A process for isolating and amplifying a target sequence contained within a target nucleic acid present in a sample, the process comprising the automated steps of:

a) in a first station, separating the target nucleic acid from other material present in the sample;

b) transporting a receptacle vessel containing the separated target nucleic acid of step a) to a second station;

c) in the second station, combining the separated target nucleic acid and reagents for amplifying the target sequence; and

d) amplifying the target sequence.

2. The process of claim 1 further comprising immobilizing the target nucleic acid on a solid support contacted with the sample prior to the separating step.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the solid support comprises a magnetically responsive particle.

4. The process of claim 3 further comprising subjecting the solid support to a magnetic field and aspirating the other material during the separating step.

5. The process of claim 4 further comprising washing the solid support one or more times with a wash solution after aspirating the other material during the separating step.

6. The process of claim 4, wherein the other material includes non-target nucleic acid.

7. The process of claim 2, wherein the target nucleic acid is hybridized to a capture probe prior to immobilizing the target nucleic acid on the solid support.

8. The process of claim 1 further comprising the automated step of exposing the target sequence or its complement to a probe under conditions and for a period of time sufficient to permit the probe to hybridize to the target sequence or its complement.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the probe includes a detectable label.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the label is a fluorescent dye or a chemiluminescent compound.

11. The process of claim 8 further comprising the automated step of detecting the presence or absence of the probe hybridized to the target sequence or its complement.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the receptacle vessel is included in a reaction receptacle comprising a plurality of receptacle vessels formed and an integral array.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein each of the receptacle vessels is a cylindrical tube having an open top end and a closed bottom end.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein steps a)-d) are performed in a stand-alone unit.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the first and second stations are contained within a housing of the stand-alone unit.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the first and second stations are located on a processing deck.

17. The process of claim 15, wherein the stand-alone unit is movable.