Device For And Method Of Extracting A Fraction From A Biological Sample

A device for quantifying a level of a fraction in a biological sample, the fraction being bound to solid phase substrate to define a fraction-bound solid phase substrate, the device comprising:

• an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein;
• a labeling zone for receiving a labeling buffer therein, the labeling buffer including a label that binds to the fraction-bound solid phase substrate to provide a labeled fraction-bound solid phase substrate;
• and
• a reaction zone for receiving a reagent therein, the reagent reacting in response to the label;
• a force field movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the reaction zone;
• wherein:
• the force urges the fraction-bound solid phase substrate from the input zone, through the labeling zone and into the reaction zone;
• and
• the reaction of the reagent with the label of the labeled fraction-bound solid phase substrate allows for the quantifying of the level of fraction in the biological sample.

A device for facilitating extraction of a fraction from a biological sample, the biological sample including a fraction, non-desired material and a solid phase substrate, the device comprising:

• an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein, the fraction binding to the the solid phase substrate to form a fraction-bound solid phase substrate;
• a phase-gate zone communicating with the input zone and receiving an isolation buffer therein;
• an elution zone communicating with the phase-gate zone and receiving a reagent therein, the reagent extracting the fraction from the fraction-bound solid phase substrate;
• a wash zone having an input communicating with the elution zone and an output communicating with the input zone, the wash zone receiving a wash buffer therein for regenerating the solid phase substrate;
• and
• a force movable between a first position adjacent the input zone, a second position adjacent the phase-gate zone, a third position adjacent the elution zone, and a fourth position adjacent the wash zone;
• wherein the force sequentially moves:
• from the first position to the second position so as to urge the fraction-bound solid phase substrate from the input zone to the phase-gate zone;
• from the second position to the third position so as to urge the fraction-bound solid phase substrate from the phase-gate zone to the elution zone wherein the fraction is extracted from the fraction-bound solid phase substrate such that solid phase substrate remains;
• from the third position to the fourth position so as to urge the solid phase substrate from the elution zone to the wash zone wherein the solid phase substrate is regenerated;
• and
• from the fourth position to the first position so as to urge the solid phase substrate from the wash zone to the input zone wherein the solid phase substrate is free to bind with an additional fraction.

A platform for isolating biomolecules from a cell cultures, the platform comprising:

• a channel having an input and an output, the channel adapted for receiving a cell culture therein;
• a solid phase substrate in the channel, a biomolecule binding to the solid phase substrate to form a biomolecule-bound solid phase substrate;
• a phase-gate zone having an input communicating with the channel, the phase-gate zone receiving an isolation buffer therein;
• an output zone for receiving a reagent therein;
• and
• a force movable between a first position adjacent the channel and a second position adjacent the output zone;
• wherein the force urges the biomolecule-bound solid phase substrate from the channel, through the phase-gate zone and into the output zone.

A method of isolating biomolecules from cell cultures, the method comprising the steps of

• flowing a media into a first channel;
• allowing a first cell culture to form in the first channel;
• flowing a solid phase substrate into the first channel, a biomolecule from the first cell culture binding to the solid phase substrate to form a biomolecule-bound solid phase substrate;
• drawing the biomolecule-bound solid phase substrate through an isolation buffer and into an output zone, the output zone having a reagent therein.

A device for facilitating extraction of a fraction from a biological sample, the biological sample including non-desired material and a fraction-bound solid phase substrate, the device comprising:

• an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein;
• a phase-gate zone communicating with the input zone, the phase-gate zone receiving an isolation buffer therein;
• an output zone communicating with the phase-gate zone, the output zone receiving a reagent therein;
• and
• a force movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the output zone;
• wherein the force urges the fraction-bound solid phase substrate from the input zone, through the phase-gate zone and into the output zone.