Solid gel amplification method and apparatus for platform molecular diagnostics
AssigneeThe Governors of the University of Alberta
InventorDamikka Manage
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Abstract
The present invention provides for a novel system and method for amplification and detection of nucleic acids within a miniaturized device wherein sample administration occurs via capillary forces through a channel created by drying a hydrogel containing all components needed for a cell-free, enzymatic, nucleic-acid amplification system other than the template nucleic acid or precursor thereto, and wherein an aqueous sample is provided to the desiccated hydrogel, and the hydrogel is rehydrated, through capillary forces.
Claims27
A cassette for performing interrogations for the presence of a nucleic acid within an aqueous sample comprising
- a pan containing within it solid wax with at least one trench on its surface;
- a multiplicity of capillaries with two opposing apertures;
- wherein
- said capillaries contain a desiccated hydrogel containing all components needed for a cell-free nucleic acid amplification other than the template nucleic acid,
- within the capillaries there exists a path described by the inner diameter of said capillary and said desiccated hydrogel which allows atmospheric communication between opposing apertures and through said capillaries,
- said capillaries are within said trench with the longitudinal axis of said capillary parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trench,
- said trench resists the motion of said capillaries through friction between the inner longitudinal surface of said trench and the longitudinal surface of said capillaries with at least one end of said capillary is capable of receiving an aqueous sample,
- said wax is optically transparent to at least two wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation wherein said at least two wavelengths are capable of differentiation by an optical detector, and
- said pan is capable of containing the wax when in a molten state.
A system for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid within an aqueous sample comprising
- a pan containing within it solid wax with at least one trench on its surface;
- a multiplicity of capillaries with two opposing apertures;
- means for controlling temperature in thermal communication with said pan;
- illumination source;
- and
- optical detector,
- wherein
- The amplification of a nucleic acid is detected through an increase in an optical signal received by said optical detector resulting from the interaction of an illumination wavelength provided by said illumination source,
- said capillaries contain a desiccated hydrogel containing all components needed for a cell-free nucleic acid amplification other than the template nucleic acid,
- within the capillaries there exists a path described by the inner diameter of said capillary and said desiccated hydrogel which allows atmospheric communication between opposing apertures and through said capillaries;
- said capillaries are within said trench with the longitudinal axis of said capillary parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trench,
- said trench resists the motion of said capillaries through friction between the inner longitudinal surface of said trench and the outer longitudinal surface of said capillaries with at least one end of said capillary is capable of receiving an aqueous sample,
- said wax is optically transparent to at least two wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation provided by said illumination source wherein said at least two wavelengths are capable of differentiation by an optical detector, and
- said pan is capable of containing the wax when in a molten state.
A cassette for performing interrogations for the presence of a nucleic acid within an aqueous sample comprising
- a pan containing within it solid wax with at least one trench on its surface;
- a multiplicity of capillaries with two opposing apertures;
- wherein
- said capillaries contain a desiccated hydrogel containing all components needed for a cell-free nucleic acid amplification other than the template nucleic acid,
- within the capillaries there exists a path described by the inner diameter of said capillary and said desiccated hydrogel which allows atmospheric communication between opposing apertures and through said capillaries;
- said capillaries are within said trench with the longitudinal axis of said capillary parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trench, and
- said trench resists the motion of said capillaries through friction between the inner longitudinal surface of said trench and the longitudinal surface of said capillaries with at least one end of said capillary is capable of receiving an aqueous sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.