Uses of a miniature device for separating and isolating biological objects and methods used

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum surface area of the bottom of each microcuvette is between 1 μm2 and 400 μm2.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix of reaction microcuvettes of the device is surmounted, at least in part, by one or more layers of isolating materials and/or by an attached grid made of biocompatible plastic, so as to form a matrix of microreservoirs.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microreservoirs are between 5 and 500 μm in length and/or in width.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one face of the first electrode integrated into the device constitutes the bottom of the microcuvettes.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second electrode is integrated into the device and in that it is located in a plane apart from the bottom of the microcuvettes.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reagent capable of attaching the biological object to be isolated is attached to at least one part of the reception zone of the reaction microcuvettes.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is equipped with a closing means.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the biological objects to be isolated are prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, viruses, liposomes and microalgae.

The use as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the biological objects are chosen from bacteria derived from a library of genomic sequences.

A method for separating and/or isolating biological objects for obtaining nucleic acid chips or protein chips or for detecting functional proteins, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps a) and b):

• a) bringing at least one miniature device for separating and/or isolating biological objects, comprising at least one first electrode integrated into the device and at least one second electrode integrated into or external to the device, consisting of a structure provided with a matrix of reaction microcuvettes, each microcuvette comprising a bottom devoid of holes and constituting a reception zone, the maximum surface area of said bottom of each microcuvette being defined so as to isolate a single biological object, said structure being connected to a feed circuit so as to create a potential difference between said first electrode and said second electrode, into contact with a homogenized solution of biological objects, so as to allow the attachment of said biological objects at the bottom of the microcuvettes, on the reception zones, at a rate of at most one biological object per microcuvette,
• b) removing the unattached biological objects so as to obtain a miniature device on which the biological objects to be isolated are immobilized.