Automated extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples
AssigneeUntap Ltd
InventorsNavid ASLANI, Jay BULLEN
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices useful for automated extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples. The present invention further provides processes for automated extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples, which can be carried out using devices of the invention.
Claims63
A device for automated extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples, comprising:
- i) a sample module comprising:
- a) a plurality of receptacles for receiving the plurality of samples, wherein each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises a matrix for nucleic acid binding,
- b) means for housing the plurality of receptacles,
- c) an extraction unit configured to extract the nucleic acid samples from any sample of the plurality of samples, and
- d) a regeneration unit configured to regenerate the matrix in any receptacle of the plurality of receptacles;
- and
- ii) a multi-channel pump module, comprising:
- e) a plurality of reservoirs for storing reagents for extraction of nucleic acid samples and a plurality of reservoirs for storing reagents for regeneration of the matrix, and
- f) at least one pump configured to deliver the plurality of samples, the reagents for extraction of nucleic acid samples and/or the reagents for regeneration of the matrix to and/or through the matrix of any receptacle of the plurality of receptacles;
- and wherein:
- the multi-channel pump module and the sample module are connected such that the reagents can be delivered to and/or through any matrix of the plurality of receptacles to enable the extraction of the nucleic acid samples from the plurality of samples and such that any matrix of the plurality of receptacles can be regenerated, and
- the means for housing the plurality of receptacles is configured such that any of the plurality of the receptacles can be positioned for delivery of the reagents from the extraction unit or the regeneration unit.
The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pump is a plurality of pumps.
The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a suction system comprising a suction pump, a waste reservoir for collection of waste liquid and a linear actuator, the linear actuator configured to dock the waste reservoir of the suction system to the sample receptacle, optionally using a funnel.
A process for automated, matrix-based extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples using a plurality of matrices for nucleic acid binding, the process comprising a nucleic acid extraction step and a matrix regeneration step, wherein the nucleic acid extraction step and the matrix regeneration step are performed in-parallel.
A device for automated extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples, comprising:
- i) a sample module comprising:
- a) a plurality of receptacles for receiving the plurality of samples, wherein each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises a matrix for nucleic acid binding,
- b) means for housing the plurality of receptacles, and
- c) an extraction unit configured to extract the nucleic acid samples from any sample of the plurality of samples;
- and
- ii) a multi-channel pump module, comprising:
- d) a plurality of reservoirs for storing reagents for extraction of nucleic acid samples, and
- e) a at least one pump configured to deliver the plurality of samples and/or the reagents for extraction of nucleic acid samples to and/or through the matrix of any receptacle of the plurality of receptacles;
- and wherein:
- the device comprises means for measuring the volume of analyte in any receptacle of the plurality of receptacles,
- the multi-channel pump module and the sample module are connected such that the reagents can be delivered to and/or through any matrix of the plurality of receptacles to enable the extraction of the nucleic acid samples from the plurality of samples, and
- the means for housing the plurality of receptacles is configured such that any of the plurality of the receptacles can be positioned for delivery of the reagents from the extraction unit.
A process for automated, matrix-based extraction of nucleic acid samples from a plurality of samples, comprising the steps of:
- i) receiving a sample of the plurality of samples in a receptacle of a plurality of receptacles,
- ii) binding a nucleic acid to a matrix,
- iii) washing the matrix to remove residual reagent, and
- iv) eluting the nucleic acid from the matrix;
- wherein a volume of sample used in the process and/or a volume of any reagent of a plurality of reagents used in the process are controlled using image processing;
- and
- wherein image processing is used to measure the volume of the sample and/or the volume of any reagent of a plurality of reagents received in the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.