Dendrimer-based DNA extraction methods and biochips

Abstract

The present invention provides a dendrimer-based biochip, wherein a flow channel through which a solution containing biopolymer molecules is flowed is formed in the substrate of the biochip, a plurality of dendrimer molecules one end of each of which is bound to the walls of the flow channel are formed thereon, and probe biopolymer or antibody molecules are bound to the tips of the dendrimer molecules so that, if the probe biopolymer molecules are bound, then target biopolymer molecules can be captured by means of a complementary combination and, if the antibody molecules are bound, then protein can be extracted by means of antigen-antibody reaction, whereby biopolymers can be retrieved in a highly efficient manner.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 928,183, filed Aug. 30, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and a biochip for efficiently retrieving (or alternatively referred to as “extracting”) biopolymers such as DNA, RNA and protein from affected cells, for example, by producing dendrimer molecules in the flow channel of the biochip's preprocessing area. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] The prior art is explained hereinafter by taking DNA as an example of a biopolymer. The target DNA used for DNA chips is retrieved by means of preprocessing. [0006] Methods of retrieving DNA from affected cells or the like dissolved in blood serum, lymphocyte-clastic solution or lysis buffer solution, for example, are roughly classified into two types: the centrifugal separation method and the magnetic bead method. [0007] Since the centrifugal separation method involves the use of large-...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to solve problems in biopolymer retrieval by using dendrimers' ability to achieve high densities. The invention provides a method for efficiently retrieving biopolymers and a dendrimer-based biochip without mechanical moving parts. The biochip can be easily miniaturized.

Problems solved by technology

However, while apparatus using the magnetic bead method is smaller and more convenient than those using the centrifugal separation method, the magnetic bead method has difficulty in binding probes to the surfaces of magnetic beads at an appropriate density.

Thus, the efficiency of DNA retrieval is currently at issue.

In addition, it is cumbersome to collect magnetic beads with a magnet and then retrieve DNA from the surfaces of the beads.

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