Capsule and tray systems for combined sample collection, archiving, purification, and PCR

A method for archiving at least one biological sample, said method comprising:

• providing a biological sample purification device, said device comprising a tubular body having a first end, a first end opening, a second end, and a second end opening, and
• a species-immobilizing filter within the tubular body between said first end opening and said second end opening;
• introducing a biological sample into the tubular body through at least one of the first end opening and the second end opening;
• sealing at least one of said first and second end openings with a sealing device, such that both end openings are sealed to form a sealed device, said sealing device having a surface adapted to seal at least one respective end opening of each of a plurality of said devices;
• and
• archiving the sealed device.

A method for separating at least one target analyte comprising a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment, from a biological sample, said method comprising:

• providing a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment sample purification device, said device comprising a tubular body having a first end, a first end opening, a second end, a second end opening, and a species-immobilizing filter within the tubular body;
• introducing a biological sample including a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment through an end opening of the tubular body;
• causing target analyte, if present in said sample, to be immobilized on or in said species-immobilizing filter;
• removing components of said biological sample other than said target analyte, from said species-immobilizing filter;
• and
• sealing at least one of said first and second end openings with a sealing device, such that both end openings are sealed to form a sealed device, said sealing device having a surface adapted to seal at least one respective end opening of each of a plurality of said purification devices.

A method of manipulating a biological sample comprising:

• collecting a biological sample in or on one or more of a plurality of species-immobilizing filters of a system, the system comprising
• an analytical system for manipulating biological samples, the analytical system comprising
• a plate having a first surface and a second surface that opposes said first surface, and a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole extending from said first surface to said second surface and defining a first end opening at said first surface and a second end opening at said second surface,
• a plurality of species-immobilizing filters, each disposed within a respective one of said through-holes, and
• a first sealing device having a surface adapted to individually seal each first end opening of said plurality of through-holes during the manipulation of biological samples, the first sealing device comprising a tray and the tray comprising a plurality of recesses;
• and
• then sealing the second end openings with a second sealing device adapted to seal each second end opening of said plurality of through-holes.

A method comprising:

• introducing a biological sample including a target analyte in a first through-hole of a system, the system comprising
• a plate having a first surface and a second surface that opposes said first surface, and a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole extending from said first surface to said second surface and defining a first end opening at said first surface and a second end opening at said second surface,
• a plurality of species-immobilizing filters, each disposed within a respective one of said through-holes,
• a first sealing device having a surface adapted to individually seal each first end opening of said plurality of through-holes during the manipulation of biological samples, the first sealing device comprising a tray and the tray comprising a plurality of recesses, and
• a second sealing device adapted to seal each second end opening of said plurality of through-holes, such that said target analyte is immobilized in or on the respective species-immobilizing filter within the first through-hole;
• introducing a solution into at least said first through-hole, said solution having sufficient components to enable a reaction of the target analyte;
• and
• subsequent to introducing said sample and said solution, sealing the first end openings and second end openings of said system to form a sealed system.

A method of archiving a biological sample, comprising:

• introducing a biological sample into one or more through-holes of a plurality of through-holes of a system, the system comprising
• a plate having a first surface and a second surface that opposes said first surface, and a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole extending from said first surface to said second surface and defining a first end opening at said first surface and a second end opening at said second surface,
• a plurality of species-immobilizing filters, each disposed within a respective one of said through-holes,
• a first sealing device having a surface adapted to individually seal each first end opening of said plurality of through-holes during the manipulation of biological samples, the first sealing device comprising a tray and the tray comprising a plurality of recesses, and
• a second sealing device adapted to seal each second end opening of said plurality of through-holes;
• sealing the first end openings and the second end openings of said system to form a sealed device;
• and
• archiving said sealed device.