Controlling dna concentration for str analysis
AssigneeIntegenX Inc.
InventorsMattias Vangbo, David King
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Performing sample quantitation and sample amplification may be performed in a sample cartridge or sample cartridges. Sample quantitation using qPCR may be performed during STR PCR on the sample. Samples need not be normalized prior to performing STR PCR. In certain embodiments, qPCR and STR PCR are performed on the same cartridge, optionally at the same time (or in real-time, or overlapping in time) and optionally using some or all of the same PCR apparatus. In other embodiments, qPCR and STR PCR are performed on different cartridges. Quantitation of the STR PCR sample may be performed without substantially delaying the STR PCR process.
Claims31
A method of preparing a DNA-containing sample for an assay, the method comprising:
- in one or more cartridges, receiving an input sample comprising DNA;
- directing a first portion of DNA from the input sample to a first PCR chamber of a first cartridge;
- directing a second portion of DNA from the input sample to a second PCR chamber of the first cartridge or of a second cartridge;
- initiating a quantitative PCR (“qPCR”) assay on the first portion in the first PCR chamber;
- before completing the qPCR assay in the first PCR chamber, initiating Short Tandem Repeat (“STR”) PCR on the second portion in the second PCR chamber;
- detecting an output signal from the first PCR chamber, which output signal provides information about DNA concentration in the first portion of DNA from the input sample;
- and
- completing the STR PCR by conducting a predetermined number of amplification cycles on the second portion in the second PCR chamber, wherein the predetermined number of amplification cycles is based on the output signal from the first PCR chamber.
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A system for preparing a sample for an assay, the system comprising:
- (a) an interface for receiving and operating on one or more cartridges;
- (b) logic for causing the following operations to be performed in the one or more cartridges:
- receiving an input sample comprising DNA;
- directing a first portion of DNA from the input sample to a first PCR chamber of a first cartridge;
- directing a second portion of DNA from the input sample to a second PCR chamber of the first cartridge or of a second cartridge;
- initiating a quantitative PCR (“qPCR”) on the first portion of DNA from the input sample in the first PCR chamber;
- before completing the qPCR in the first PCR chamber, initiating Short Tandem Repeat (“STR”) PCR on the second portion of DNA from the input sample in the second PCR chamber;
- detecting an output signal from the first PCR chamber, which output signal provides information about DNA concentration in the first portion of DNA from the input sample;
- and
- completing the STR PCR by conducting a predetermined number of amplification cycles on the second portion in the second PCR chamber, wherein the predetermined number of amplification cycles is based on the output signal from the first PCR chamber.
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A system for preparing a sample for an assay, the system comprising:
- (a) an interface for receiving and operating on one or more cartridges;
- (b) logic for causing the following operations to be performed in the one or more cartridges:
- receiving an input sample comprising DNA;
- directing a first portion of DNA from the input sample to a first PCR chamber of the one or more cartridges;
- directing a second portion of DNA from the input sample to a second PCR chamber of the one or more cartridges;
- initiating a quantitative PCR (“qPCR”) on the first portion of DNA from the input sample in the first PCR chamber;
- initiating a Short Tandem Repeat (“STR”) PCR on the second portion of DNA from the input sample in the second PCR chamber;
- detecting an output signal from the first PCR chamber, which output signal provides information about DNA concentration in the first portion of DNA from the input sample;
- and
- completing the STR PCR by conducting a predetermined number of amplification cycles on the second portion in the second PCR chamber, wherein the predetermined number of amplification cycles is based on the output signal from the first PCR chamber.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.