SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

• US 20180155780A1
• Filed: 10/05/2017
• Published: 06/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sequencing Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GenapSys, Inc.
• Inventors: Esfandyarpour, Hesaam, Rategh, Hamid, Barmi, Meysam R., Parizi, Kosar B,, Kaviani, Kambiz
• Granted Patent: US 10,570,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6874 involving nucleic acid arrays, e.g. sequencing by hybridisation
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/116 electrical properties of nucleic acids, e.g. impedance, conductivity or resistance
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/143 Magnetism, e.g. magnetic label
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/149 Particles, e.g. beads
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/607 being a sensor, e.g. electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/327 Biochemical electrodes , e.g. electrical or mechanical details for in vitro measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4062 Electrical connectors associated therewith
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/745 for detecting magnetic beads used in biochemical assays concerning the assays G01N33/54326; sensors therefor G01R33/1269; automatic analysers therefor G01N35/0098
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes

Abstract

Provided herein are devices and methods suitable for sequencing, amplifying, analyzing, and performing sample preparation procedures for nucleic acids and other biomolecules.

Claims

1-77. -77. (canceled)

78. A method for detecting at least a portion of a biological molecule, comprising:

(a) providing an array of sensors, wherein a sensor of said array of sensors comprises a transmitter electrode and a receiver electrode, which transmitter electrode or receiver electrode is coupled to at least another sensor of said array of sensors;

(b) directing a solution containing or suspected of containing said biological molecule to said array of sensors under conditions sufficient to bring said biological molecule to said sensor;

(c) using said transmitter electrode and said receiver electrode to measure one or more signals that are indicative of a change in impedance in an electrical flow path comprising said at least said portion of said biological molecule; and

(d) using said one or more signals to detect said at least said portion of said biological molecule.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said electrical flow path comprises a double layer comprising said at least said portion of said biological molecule.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein in (c), said at least said portion of said biological molecule is in said double layer.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein subsequent to (b), said biological molecule interacts with another biological molecule adjacent to said sensor.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said another biological molecule is an aptamer, and wherein said biological molecule interacting with said aptamer generates said one or more signals.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein said another biological molecule is coupled to a support, and wherein said support is in said electrical flow path.

84. The method of claim 78, wherein in (c), said sensor and said at least another sensor share said transmitter electrode or said receiver electrode.

85. The method of claim 78, wherein said sensor and said at least another sensor are individually addressable.

86. The method of claim 78, further comprising directing a plurality of particles to said array of sensors, wherein a particle of said plurality of particles is coupled to said biological molecule or another biological molecule configured to interact with said biological molecule, and wherein in (c), said particle is associated with said electrical flow path.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said particle is electrically coupled to a double layer comprising said at least said portion of said biological molecule or said another biological molecule.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein said transmitter electrode and said receiver electrode are electrically isolated in the absence of said particle positioned adjacent thereto.

89. The method of claim 86, wherein said one or more signals are indicative of a change in impedance across (i) said particle or (ii) a fluid environment comprising said particle.

90. The method of claim 86, further comprising using a magnetic field to position said particle within said electrical flow path.

91. The method of claim 86, further comprising using an electric field to position said particle within said electrical flow path.

92. The method of claim 86, further comprising binding said biological molecule to an aptamer coupled to a catalytic unit, wherein binding of said biological molecule to said aptamer releases said catalytic unit into said solution, and wherein, upon release of said catalytic unit, said catalytic unit interacts with a nucleic acid molecule coupled to said particle.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is hybridized to a primer, and wherein said catalytic unit is a polymerase that extends said primer.

94. The method of claim 78, wherein said biological molecule is a protein.

95. The method of claim 78, wherein said biological molecule is a nucleic acid.

96. The method of claim 78, wherein said electrical flow path is between said transmitter electrode and said receiver electrode.

97. The method of claim 78, wherein said electrical flow path comprises said biological molecule.