# US 5,707,506 A · Channel plate for DNA sequencing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,506 A - Document ID: US5707506A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/643,820 - Filed: 1996-05-06 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1994-10-28 - Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute - Inventors: Richard J. Douthart; Shannon L. Crowell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707506A ## CPC - G01N 27/44704: {Details; Accessories} - G01N 27/4473: {by electric means} - 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 This invention is a channel plate that facilitates data compaction in DNA sequencing. The channel plate has a length, a width and a thickness, and further has a plurality of channels that are parallel. Each channel has a depth partially through the thickness of the channel plate. Additionally an interface edge permits electrical communication across an interface through a buffer to a deposition membrane surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A channel plate for electrophoresis sequencing of a DNA sample, said channel plate having (a) a length, a width and a thickness, and further having, (b) a plurality of channels that are parallel placed upon an upper surface of the channel plate, each channel having a depth partially through the thickness and filled with a gel, wherein the improvement comprises: (c) said channel plate is made from electrically non-conductive, non-cellulosic material, and (d) a temperature control plate attached to a lower surface wherein a temperature of the channel plate is controlled. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The channel plate as recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature control plate contains at least one baffle chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The channel plate in claim 1, wherein the channel plate is vertically oriented. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The channel plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the channel plate is horizontally oriented. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The channel plate as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrically non-conductive, non-cellulosic material is a glass ceramic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The channel plate as recited in claim 5, wherein said glass ceramic is a machinable glass ceramic. ### Claim 7 A method of preparing a DNA sample for electrophoretic separation, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a glass ceramic channel plate having a length, width and thickness, further having a plurality of parallel channels formed partially through the thickness and each channel having a first end at a position distant from a first edge, each of the channels extending therefrom to an interface edge; (b) filling the channels with a gel; (c) placing a cover plate over the channels thereby covering the channels and confining the gel within the channels; (d) inserting a comb into the channels; (e) permitting the gel to polymerize with the comb in place; (f) withdrawing the comb after polymerization of the gel and leaving, sample wells; and (g) filling the sample wells with DNA sample. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said comb is inserted at the first end of the channels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said comb is inserted at a top edge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of: degassing the gel prior to filling the channels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising attaching a temperature control plate to a lower surface of said channel plate and controlling a temperature of said channel plate. ### Claim 12 A channel plate for electrophoresis sequencing of a DNA sample, said channel plate having (a) a length, a width and a thickness, and further having, (b) a plurality of channels that are parallel placed upon an upper surface of the channel plate, each channel having a depth partially through the thickness and filled with a gel, wherein the improvement comprises: (c) said channel plate is made from a glass ceramic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The channel plate in claim 12, further comprising a cover plate for containing the gel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The channel plate as recited in claim 13 wherein said cover plate is made from glass. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The channel plate as recited in claim 13, further comprising a temperature control plate attached to a lower surface wherein a temperature of the channel plate is controlled by a fluid flow through the temperature control plate. ### Claim 16 A method of preparing a DNA sample for electrophoretic separation, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an electrically non-conducting, non-cellulosic channel plate having a length, width and thickness, further having a plurality of parallel channels formed partially through the thickness and each channel having a first end at a position distant from a first edge, each of the channels extending therefrom to an interface edge; (b) filling the channels with a gel; (c) placing a cover plate over the channels thereby covering the channels and confining the gel within the channels; (d) inserting a comb into the channels; (e) permitting the gel to polymerize with the comb in place; (f) withdrawing the comb after polymerization of the gel and leaving the sample wells; (g) filling the sample wells with DNA sample; and (h) attaching a temperature control plate to a lower surface of said channel plate for controlling a temperature of said channel plate during the electrophoretic separation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said non-electrically conducting, non-cellulosic channel plate is glass ceramic. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein said glass ceramic is machinable glass ceramic.