# US 2018/0023112 A1 · High resolution systems, kits, apparatus, and methods using magnetic beads for high throughput microbiology applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023112 A1 - Document ID: US20180023112A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/633,764 - Filed: 2017-06-27 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-21 - Assignees: General Automation Lab Technologies Inc. - Applicants: General Automation Lab Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Alexander Hallock; Michael Sha - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023112A1 ## CPC - C12Q 1/24: Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms - B01L 3/502: {with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures} - B01L 3/5085: {for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates} - B01L 3/563: {Joints or fittings; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors} - C12M 23/12: {Well or multiwell plates (C12M25/04 takes precedence)} - C12M 23/24: {Gas permeable parts} - C12Q 1/6816: characterised by the detection means (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence) - C12Q 1/6853: using modified primers or templates - C12Q 1/689: for bacteria - G01N 1/40: Concentrating samples - B01L 3/0244: {using pins} - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B01L 2200/0647: Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B01L 2200/12: Specific details about manufacturing devices - B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering - B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes - B01L 2300/0636: Integrated biosensor, microarrays - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/0819: Microarrays; Biochips - B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates - B01L 2300/0893: having a very large number of wells, microfabricated wells - B01L 2300/165: Specific details about hydrophobic, oleophobic surfaces - B01L 2400/043: magnetic forces - G01N 2001/4038: {electric methods, e.g. electromigration, electrophoresis, ionisation} - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device to a second microfabricated device. At least one magnetic bead is loaded into at least one microwell of the first microfabricated device, where a plurality of cells are cultivated. The second microfabricated device is positioned such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells. A magnetic field is applied so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first microfabricated device into the at least one microwell of the second microfabricated device. In this manner, at least one cell from the plurality of cells in the at least one microwell of the first microfabricated device is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second microfabricated device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells to a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, the method comprising: loading at least one magnetic bead into at least one microwell of the first array of microwells; incubating the first microfabricated device to cultivate a plurality of cells in at least one microwell of the first array of microwells; positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device; and applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least one cell from the plurality of cells in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field comprises using a permanent magnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field comprises using an electromagnet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to incubating the first microfabricated device, preparing the first microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the first array of microwells includes at least one cell and at least one magnetic bead, wherein incubating the first microfabricated device comprises cultivating a plurality of cells in the at least one microwell of the first microfabricated device from the at least one cell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein preparing the first microfabricated device comprises: loading a magnetic bead solution including a solvent and at least one magnetic bead into the at least one microwell; and loading at least one cell into the at least one microwell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising: applying a magnet to the first microfabricated device so that the at least one magnetic bead is drawn to the inside of the at least one microwell; and allowing evaporation of the solvent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein preparing the first microfabricated device comprises: loading into the at least one microwell a sample solution including at least one magnetic bead and at least one cell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein preparing the first microfabricated device comprises: applying a membrane to seal the at least one microwell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second microfabricated devices comprises an upper surface, and wherein positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device comprises positioning the upper surface of the second microfabricated device opposing and apart from the upper surface of the first microfabricated device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second microfabricated devices comprises an upper surface, and wherein positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device comprises positioning the upper surface of the second microfabricated device opposing and in contact with the upper surface of the first microfabricated device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to applying the magnetic field, applying a liquid layer on the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid layer is an oil layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid layer is an aqueous layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surface density of the first array of microwells is at least 150 microwells per cm2, at least 250 microwells per cm2, at least 400 microwells per cm2, at least 500 microwells per cm2, at least 750 microwells per cm2, at least 1,000 microwells per cm2, at least 2,500 microwells per cm2, at least 5,000 microwells per cm2, at least 7,500 microwells per cm2, at least 10,000 microwells per cm2, at least 50,000 microwells per cm2, at least 100,000 microwells per cm2, or at least 160,000 per cm2. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device has a diameter of from about 5 μm to about 500 μm, from about 10 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 200 μm. ### Claim 16 A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells to a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, the method comprising: preparing the first microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the first array of microwells includes a material of interest and at least one magnetic bead; positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device; and applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least a portion of the material of interest in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the material of interest is a biological entity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the material of interest comprises a plurality of cells. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein preparing the first microfabricated device comprises: providing the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells with at least one cell and at least one magnetic bead; and prior to applying the magnetic field, incubating the first microfabricated device to grow a plurality of cells from the provided at least one cell in the at least one microwell of the first microfabricated device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein providing the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells with at least one cell and at least one magnetic bead comprises: loading a magnetic bead solution including a solvent and at least one magnetic bead into the at least one microwell; and loading at least one cell into the at least one microwell. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein providing the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells with at least one cell and at least one magnetic bead comprises: loading into the at least one microwell a sample solution including at least one magnetic bead and at least one cell. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the surface density of the first array of microwells is at least 150 microwells per cm2, at least 250 microwells per cm2, at least 400 microwells per cm2, at least 500 microwells per cm2, at least 750 microwells per cm2, at least 1,000 microwells per cm2, at least 2,500 microwells per cm2, at least 5,000 microwells per cm2, at least 7,500 microwells per cm2, at least 10,000 microwells per cm2, at least 50,000 microwells per cm2, at least 100,000 microwells per cm2, or at least 160,000 per cm2. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein each microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device has a diameter of from about 5 μm to about 500 μm, from about 10 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 200 μm. ### Claim 24 A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells, at least one microwell of which comprises at least one magnetic bead, to a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, the method comprising: providing a material of interest into the at least one microwell which comprises the at least one magnetic bead; positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device; and applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least a portion of the material of interest in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells. ### Claim 25 A method of transferring material from a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells, at least one microwell of which comprises at least one magnetic bead and a material of interest, to a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, the method comprising: positioning the second microfabricated device relative to the first microfabricated device such that the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device is aligned with at least one microwell of the second array of microwells of the second microfabricated device; applying a magnetic field so as to move the at least one magnetic bead contained in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells into the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells, whereby at least a portion of the material of interest in the at least one microwell of the first array of microwells is transferred to the at least one microwell of the second array of microwells. ### Claim 26 A kit comprising: a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells, at least one microwell of which comprises at least one magnetic bead. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, further comprising: a membrane suitable for applying on the first microfabricated device to seal the at least one microwell. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, further comprising: a second microfabricated device including a second array of microwells, wherein each microwell of the first array of microwells can be aligned with a microwell of the second array of microwells. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, wherein the membrane is one of gas-permeable, liquid-permeable, and impermeable. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, wherein the surface density of the first array of microwells is at least 150 microwells per cm2, at least 250 microwells per cm2, at least 400 microwells per cm2, at least 500 microwells per cm2, at least 750 microwells per cm2, at least 1,000 microwells per cm2, at least 2,500 microwells per cm2, at least 5,000 microwells per cm2, at least 7,500 microwells per cm2, at least 10,000 microwells per cm2, at least 50,000 microwells per cm2, at least 100,000 microwells per cm2, or at least 160,000 per cm2. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, wherein each microwell of the first array of microwells of the first microfabricated device has a diameter of from about 5 μm to about 500 μm, from about 10 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 200 μm. ### Claim 32 A kit comprising: a first microfabricated device including a first array of microwells; and a solution comprising a solvent and a plurality of magnetic beads. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The kit of claim 32, further comprising: a membrane suitable for applying on the first microfabricated device to seal at least one microwell of the first array of microwells. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The kit of claim 33, further comprising: a magnet.