Low volume filtration column devices and methods of filtering therewith

A filter column, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface, an inner surface and a longitudinal axis;
• a filter disposed within the passageway;
• the filter defining a perimeter;
• and
• a retainer disposed within the passageway above the filter;
• the retainer having an outer edge, an inner edge, and an upper surface that is beveled.

A filter column, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a filter disposed within the passageway, the filter having a perimeter;
• wherein at least a portion of the filter proximate to the perimeter is compressed relative to a portion of the filter that is inward from the perimeter.

A filter column, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having, an outer surface, an inner surface, and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a filter disposed within the passageway, the filter having a perimeter;
• wherein at least a portion of the filter has a greater density relative to another portion of the filter.

A filter column for isolating nucleic acids into solution of a preselected elution volume, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface;
• and
• at least one filter disposed within the passageway;
• the filter having a wetting capacity;
• wherein the wetting capacity of the filter is approximately equal to the elution volume.

A filter column for isolating nucleic acids into solution of a preselected elution volume, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface;
• and
• at least one filter disposed within the passageway;
• the filter having a wetting capacity;
• wherein the wetting capacity of the filter is less than the preselected elution volume.

A method for isolating nucleic acid material, comprising:

• providing a filter column;
• the filter column comprising:
• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface and an inner surface;
• at least one filter disposed within the passageway, the filter having a wetting capacity;
• providing a solution containing nucleic acid material;
• transferring the solution containing nucleic acid to the filter of the filter column;
• transferring solution from the filter column;
• adding elution buffer to the filter in an amount substantially equal to the wetting capacity of the filter;
• and
• eluting the nucleic acid from the filter column.

A filter column for isolating nucleic acids into solution of a preselected elution volume, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface;
• a filter disposed within the passageway;
• the filter having an shape that defines a volume;
• wherein the filter is configured such that the volume defined by the shape of the filter is substantially equal to the preselected elution volume.

A method for isolating a nucleic acid material, comprising:

• providing a filter column;
• the filter column comprising:
• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface and an inner surface;
• a filter disposed within the passageway, the filter having a shape that defines a volume;
• providing a solution containing nucleic acid material;
• transferring the solution containing nucleic acid to the filter;
• transferring the solution from the filter column;
• adding elution buffer to the filter column in an amount substantially equal to the volume defined by the shape of the filter;
• and
• eluting the nucleic acid from the filter column.

A method for isolating a nucleic acid material comprising:

• providing a filter column;
• the filter column comprising:
• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface and an inner surface;
• a filter disposed within the passageway;
• the filter having a wetting capacity;
• providing solution containing nucleic acid material in the filter column;
• locating the filter column in fluid communication with a first collection vessel;
• transferring the solution containing nucleic acid to the filter of the filter column;
• transferring the solution from the filter column at a first speed followed by a second speed wherein the first speed is slower than the second speed;
• adding elution buffer into the filter column;
• and
• eluting the nucleic acid material from the filter column.

A method for isolating a nucleic acid material comprising:

• providing a filter column;
• the filter column comprising:
• a body having a passageway extending therethrough, the body having an outer surface and an inner surface;
• a filter disposed within the passageway;
• providing solution containing nucleic acid material in the filter column;
• locating the filter column in fluid communication with a first collection vessel;
• transferring the solution containing nucleic acid to the filter of the filter column;
• transferring solution from the filter column;
• adding elution buffer into the filter column;
• and
• eluting the nucleic acid material from the filter column at a first speed followed by a second speed wherein the first speed is slower than the second speed.

A filter column, comprising:

• a body having a passageway extending therethrough;
• the body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface;
• the outer surface including at least two bearing surfaces for seating the filter column on collection vessels of at least two different sizes;
• and
• a filter disposed within the passageway;
• wherein the cross-sectional area of the passageway is substantially constant.