Apparatus and methods for detecting nucleic acid in biological samples
AssigneeHai Kang Life Corporation Limited
InventorsCheung Hoi Yu, Lok Ting Lau, Ka Wai Wong
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Abstract
There are disclosed apparatus and methods for the field-assisted acceleration of biological processes involving charged entities, including in particular the detection of target DNA in a biological sample. A reaction cell is provided with a dielectric surface, and a field is generated by inducing charge-separation in the dielectric material by applying a potential to an electrode in contact with the dielectric material.
Claims14
Apparatus for detecting target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising a substrate formed with at least one reaction cell, wherein said reaction cell comprises a dielectric attachment layer formed of a dielectric material defining an attachment surface for the attachment of nucleic acid capture probes, and wherein a metal electrode is provided in direct contact with said dielectric attachment layer, wherein said dielectric attachment layer is over 50 nm thick such that applying an electrical potential to said metal electrode causes a charge separation in said dielectric attachment layer without generating a flow of electric current or causing transfer of electrons between said layer and a sample in said reaction cell.
Apparatus for detecting target biological material in a sample, comprising a substrate formed with at least one reaction cell, wherein said reaction cell comprises a surface formed of a dielectric material, wherein a metal electrode is provided in direct contact with said dielectric material, and wherein said dielectric material is over 50 nm thick such that applying an electrical potential to said metal electrode can cause a charge separation in said dielectric material without generating a flow of electric current or causing transfer of electrons between said electrode and a sample in contact with said dielectric material.
A method of forming an array of reaction cells for performing biological analysis, comprising the steps of patterning metal electrodes on an insulating substrate, depositing regions of dielectric material on said metal electrodes, and forming a rim around the edges of upper surfaces of said regions of dielectric material so as to define said reaction cells, wherein said dielectric material is over 50 nm thick such that applying an electrical potential to said metal electrodes can cause a charge separation in said dielectric material without generating a flow of electric current or causing transfer of electrons between said electrodes and a sample in said reaction cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.