Nucleic acid analysis device

Abstract

Provided is a nucleic acid analysis device that can eliminate an increase in reagent consumption caused by a branched flow path configuration and that can accommodate a plurality of substrates having different flow path numbers. In the nucleic acid analysis device of the present invention, a first substrate includes: an inlet portion connected to the aforementioned introduction path; a first outlet portion connected to the aforementioned first discharge path; a second outlet portion connected to the aforementioned second discharge path; a first flow path that guides the aforementioned reagent from the aforementioned inlet portion to the aforementioned first outlet portion; a second flow path that guides the aforementioned reagent from the aforementioned inlet portion to the aforementioned second outlet portion; and a branch portion that branches from the aforementioned inlet portion to the aforementioned first flow path and the aforementioned second flow path, the aforementioned first flow path and the aforementioned second flow path being connected to each other only at the aforementioned branch portion (see FIG. 1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a nucleic acid analysis device. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a device for analyzing a base sequence of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a nucleic acid analysis device is known. The nucleic acid analysis device is a device that denatures DNA fragments to be single strands, uses them as a model, elongates each of nucleic acids to which a fluorescent label is given by one base, sequentially captures fluorescent images, and thereby analyzes a base sequence of DNA. In performing the analysis, a substrate provided with flow paths in a part or the whole of a transparent material is prepared, and colonies of a plurality of denatured single-stranded cloned DNA fragments are fixed in reaction fields provided in the flow paths of the substrate. For the plurality of colonies of DNA fragments, in order to be able to identify four kinds of nucleotides (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine) that constitute DNA, reagents that fluorescently label each base of DNA, reagents that clean the flow paths, and the like are alternately supplied. By capturing fluorescent images of the colonies of DNA fragments in a process of recovering to double strands, the DNA base sequence can be sequentially analyzed.

[0003] In the analysis of the DNA base sequence in the nucleic acid analysis device, first, for the colonies of a plurality of DNA fragments fixed in the reaction fields provided in the flow paths of the substrate, a reagent required for each reaction process is selected from a plurality of reagents and supplied to the flow paths of the substrate, and thereby each base of the colonies of DNA fragments in the flow paths is fluorescently modified. The colonies of DNA fragments after the fluorescent modification are further observed. Through the above process, the base sequence is analyzed.

[0004] In such a nucleic acid analysis device, in order to improve throughput, it is considered to provide the flow paths provided on the substrate as a plurality of flow paths to increase the area of the reaction fields. With respect to the nucleic acid analysis device using a substrate having a plurality of flow paths, it is reported in Patent Literature 1.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: US8241573B2 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] In Patent Literature 1, a structure of a nucleic acid analysis device that supplies reagents to a substrate having a plurality of flow paths is described. However, in the nucleic acid analysis device of Patent Literature 1, in order to introduce reagents to a plurality of flow paths, a branched flow path structure for connecting each reagent to the plurality of substrate flow paths is required, and not only the substrate flow paths but also the branched flow paths need to be replaced with reagents, and thus the amount of reagents consumed increases.

[0010] Also, in the case where different sizes of substrates are used in order to cope with a variety of throughputs (for example, a substrate having half the number of flow paths is used in order to achieve nucleic acid analysis at half the throughput), in the branched flow path configuration, branched flow paths that are not connected to the substrate are generated. The branched flow path portions that are not connected to the substrate become dead volume, and the residual reagent, bubbles, and the like cannot be replaced with reagent, and thus become a major cause of contamination. Therefore, it is not desirable to use different sizes of substrates.

[0011] The present application was achieved in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a nucleic acid analysis device that can eliminate an increase in reagent consumption amount caused by a branched flow path configuration, and can mount a variety of substrates having different numbers of flow paths.

[0012] Solution for solving the problems

[0013] In the nucleic acid analysis device of the present application, the first substrate has: an inlet portion connected to the above-described introduction path; a first outlet portion connected to the above-described first discharge path; a second outlet portion connected to the above-described second discharge path; a first flow path that guides the above-described reagent from the above-described inlet portion to the above-described first outlet portion; a second flow path that guides the above-described reagent from the above-described inlet portion to the above-described second outlet portion; and a branching portion that branches from the above-described inlet portion to the above-described first flow path and the above-described second flow path, and the above-described first flow path and the above-described second flow path are connected to each other only at the above-described branching portion.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the nucleic acid analysis device of the present application, a branching point of a flow path is provided in a substrate, and thus it is possible to minimize the number of introduction flow paths and eliminate an increase in reagent consumption amount that occurs with an increase in the number of flow paths of a substrate. Also, the number of inlet portions of a substrate does not change regardless of the number of flow paths on the substrate, and thus it is possible to mount a variety of substrates having different numbers of flow paths in the same device structure without generating dead volume. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A configuration diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 1 is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 A configuration diagram when the substrate 107 is mounted in the nucleic acid analysis device 100 is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 A configuration diagram when a substrate 301 having a different size from the substrate 107 is mounted in the nucleic acid analysis device 100 is shown.

[0019] Figure 4A structural diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 2 is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 A structural diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 3 is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 A structural diagram of the block 501 is shown.

[0022] Figure 7 A structural diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 4 is shown.

[0023] Figure 8 A diagram showing a case where the substrate 301 is used is shown.

[0024] Figure 9 A structural diagram of the substrate 107 and 301 used in the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 5 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Embodiment 1

[0026] Figure 1 A structural diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 1 of the present application is shown. The nucleic acid analysis device 100 is provided with a substrate 107, an introduction flow path 108, discharge flow paths 109 and 110, reagent suction mechanisms 111 and 112, control sections 113 and 114, a photographing mechanism 115, a reagent container 116, and a reagent selection mechanism 117. The substrate 107 is detachable with respect to a device main body. The other sections are provided on the device main body side.

[0027] The substrate 107 is provided with at least two flow paths 101 and 102, at least one inlet section 103, at least two outlet sections 104 and 105, and at least one flow path branching point 106. The flow paths 101 and 102 are used to fix colonies of DNA fragments and analyze their base sequences. Each reagent is introduced from the inlet section 103 to the substrate 107. The reagents are discharged from the outlet sections 104 and 105. The flow path branching point 106 is a site where each flow path branches (a confluence point of each flow path). The flow path 101 connects between the inlet section 103 and the outlet section 104, and the flow path 102 connects between the inlet section 103 and the outlet section 105.

[0028] The introduction flow path 108 is connected to the inlet portion 103. The reagent is introduced to the substrate 107 via the introduction flow path 108 and the inlet portion 103. The discharge flow path 109 is connected to the outlet portion 104, and the discharge flow path 110 is connected to the outlet portion 105. The reagent suction mechanism 111 suctions the reagent flowing in the discharge flow path 109, and the reagent suction mechanism 112 suctions the reagent flowing in the discharge flow path 110. The control portion 113 controls the reagent suction mechanism 111, and the control portion 114 controls the reagent suction mechanism 112. The imaging mechanism 115 images a fluorescent image of the colony of the DNA fragment. The reagent containers 116 store respective reagents. The reagent selection mechanism 117 selectively connects to any one of the respective reagent containers 116, thereby selecting the reagent to be introduced to the substrate 107.

[0029] In Figure 1 In the above, the inlet portion 103 and the introduction flow path 108 of the substrate 107 each have one, but the number thereof can be two or more as long as the number is smaller than that of the outlet portions 104 and 105. Figure 1 In the above, the outlet portions 104 and 105 and the discharge flow paths 109 and 110 each have two, but the number thereof can be three or more.

[0030] Figure 2 A configuration diagram when the substrate 107 is mounted on the nucleic acid analysis device 100 is shown. The reagent selection mechanism 117 selects the reagent required in each reaction process. Next, the reagent suction mechanisms 111 and 112 suction the reagent. The amount of the reagent flowing into the flow path 101 is controlled by the control portion 113, and the amount of the reagent flowing into the flow path 102 is controlled by the control portion 114. By independently controlling the reagent suction amount of each reagent suction mechanism like this, it is possible to introduce a desired reagent amount to each flow path.

[0031] As described above, in the substrate having a plurality of flow paths, the flow path branching point 106 is provided on the substrate, and it is possible to minimize the number of the introduction flow paths 108. Therefore, even if the branching flow path configuration is provided, it is not necessary to replace the branching flow path on the device side with the reagent as in the related art, and thus it is possible to reduce the consumption of the reagent.

[0032] Figure 3 A configuration diagram when the substrate 301 having a size different from that of the substrate 107 is mounted on the nucleic acid analysis device 100 is shown. The substrate 301 has one flow path 302, one inlet portion 303, and one outlet portion 304. The inlet portion 303 is connected to the introduction flow path 108, and the outlet portion 304 is connected to the discharge flow path 109. The flow path 302 connects the inlet portion 303 and the outlet portion 304. The reagent is introduced to the flow path 302 of the substrate 301 via the reagent selection mechanism 117, the inlet portion 303, and the outlet portion 304 by the reagent suction mechanism 111.

[0033] As Figure 3As shown, even if the substrate 301 of different size is mounted, no unwanted dead volume is generated between the reagent container 116 and the inlet portion 303, and thus no contamination of reagent or bubbles remaining in the branch flow path portion not connected to the substrate 301 (unused) as in the prior art is generated.

[0034] <Embodiment 1: Summary>

[0035] In the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of the present embodiment 1, the substrate 107 is provided with the flow path branch point 106, and each flow path on the substrate 107 branches from the flow path branch point 106. In other words, the flow path branch point 106 is disposed on the substrate 107 side. Thus, the number of the introduction flow paths 108 provided on the device side is minimized (if the inlet portion 103 is one, the introduction flow path 108 is also one). Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the branch flow path on the device side with reagent as in the prior art, and thus reagent consumption can be suppressed.

[0036] In the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of the present embodiment 1, even if the substrate 107 is replaced with the substrate 301, no branch flow path not connected to the substrate 301 is generated, and thus no unwanted dead volume is generated between the reagent container 116 and the inlet portion 303. Therefore, contamination of reagent or bubbles remaining in the branch flow path portion not connected to the substrate 301 (unused) as in the prior art can be suppressed.

[0037] <Embodiment 2>

[0038] Figure 4 A configuration diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of the present embodiment 2 is shown. The description of the portions having the same function as the configuration shown in Figure 4 Figure 1 In the present embodiment 2, the discharge flow path 109 is connected to the reagent suction mechanism 403 via the first electromagnetic valve 401, and the discharge flow path 110 is connected to the reagent suction mechanism 403 via the second electromagnetic valve 402. The other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment 1.

[0039] In the present embodiment 2, the control portion 404 is configured to: (a) control the reagent suction mechanism 403 via the control portion 404 of the reagent suction mechanism in a state where the first electromagnetic valve 401 is opened and the second electromagnetic valve 402 is closed, if it is intended to introduce a desired amount of reagent into the flow path 101; and (b) control the reagent suction mechanism 403 in a state where the second electromagnetic valve 402 is opened and the first electromagnetic valve 401 is closed, if it is intended to introduce a desired amount of reagent into the flow path 102.

[0040] ​Specifically, in the case of using the substrate 107, the reagent is introduced after opening the first electromagnetic valve 401 and opening the second electromagnetic valve 402, and in the case of using the substrate 301, the reagent is introduced only by opening the first electromagnetic valve 401.

[0041] The nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 2 can reduce the number of reagent suction mechanisms and the number of control units compared to Embodiment 1. Thereby, the discharge flow path and the subsequent configuration can be simplified, in particular.

[0042] Figure 4 In Embodiment 2, two electromagnetic valves are provided in order to select the flow path of the discharged reagent, but one three-way electromagnetic valve can be used to select the flow path. The discharge flow path can also be selected by other appropriate mechanisms.

[0043] <Embodiment 3>

[0044] Figure 5 A configuration diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 3 of the present application is shown. The description of the parts having the same function as the configuration shown in Figure 5 Figure 1 will be omitted. In Embodiment 3, the reagent introduction side is provided with a block 501, a first reagent selection electromagnetic valve 502, a second reagent selection electromagnetic valve 503, a third reagent selection electromagnetic valve 504, a first reagent container 505, a second reagent container 506, and a third reagent container 507. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0045] The block 501 has a plurality of branch flow paths connected to the inlet unit 103. In the case of connecting the first reagent container 505 to the substrate 107, in this state where the first reagent selection electromagnetic valve 502 is opened and the second reagent selection electromagnetic valve 503 and the third reagent selection electromagnetic valve 504 are closed, the reagent is sucked by the reagent suction mechanisms 111 and 112. The same applies in the case of connecting the second reagent container 506 and the third reagent container 507 to the substrate 107, and by opening the corresponding second reagent selection electromagnetic valve 503 or the third reagent selection electromagnetic valve 504, the desired reagent is selectively introduced to the substrate 107. The same applies in the case of using the substrate 301.

[0046] Figure 6 A configuration diagram of the block 501 is shown. Figure 6 The upper section is a perspective view, Figure 6 the middle section is a plan view / left side view / front view, Figure 6 and the lower section is an AA cross-sectional view. The block 501 has a flow outlet 602 connected to the flow path of the substrate and leading to the substrate, a first reagent flow inlet 603, a second reagent flow inlet 604, and a third reagent flow inlet 605.

[0047] ​Inside the block 501, the branched flow paths from the reagent inlets converge at the converging sites 606 to reach the flow outlet 602 to the substrate. Figure 6 The reagent inlets are provided in three places in this embodiment, but the number of reagents can be increased or decreased according to the reaction requirements, and the number of converging sites 606 can be increased or decreased accordingly.

[0048] <Embodiment 4>

[0049] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of the nucleic acid analysis device 100 of Embodiment 4 of the present application. In this Embodiment 4, the nucleic acid analysis device 100 has the grooves 701 and 702 on the worktable 705 on which the substrate is placed. The groove 701 is connected to the pump 703, which evacuates the groove 701. The groove 702 is connected to the pump 704, which evacuates the groove 702. The pumps 703 and 704 are controlled by the control units 113 and 114, respectively, for example. The other structures are the same as in Embodiments 1 to 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted in this Figure 7 Figure 8

[0050] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the case where the substrate 301 is used. The substrate 301 has a size and shape that covers the groove 701 but does not overlap the groove 702 when placed on the worktable 705. In the case where the substrate 301 is used, the substrate 301 is placed on the groove 701, and the pump 703 attracts the substrate 301 via the groove 701. Thus, the substrate 301 can be fixed to the worktable.

[0051] The substrate 107 has a size and shape that covers both the grooves 701 and 702 when placed on the worktable 705. In the case where the substrate 107 is used, the substrate 107 is placed on the grooves 701 and 702, and the pumps 703 and 704 attract the substrate 107 via the grooves 701 and 702, respectively. Thus, the substrate 107 can be fixed to the worktable.

[0052] As described in this Embodiment 4, the mechanism for fixing the substrate is divided into a plurality of (two in this Figure 7 embodiment) grooves 701 and 702, and which fixing mechanism to use is switched according to the size of the substrate, whereby various sizes of substrates can be used flexibly, and the substrates can be fixed reliably regardless of the size.

[0053] Figure 7 Two pumps 703 and 704 are shown in this embodiment, but one pump and a solenoid valve can be used to switch the attraction of either groove. Thus, the number of pumps is set for the sake of convenience, and as long as either groove can be switched according to the size of the substrate.

[0054] Figure 7 ​​In the above embodiment, the grooves 701 and 702 are provided on the workbench 705, but the positions of the grooves are not limited to this, as long as the grooves are covered by the substrate 107 or 301 when the substrate is mounted on the nucleic acid analysis device 100.

[0055] <Embodiment 5>

[0056] Figure 9 Fig. 15 is a structural view of the substrate 107 and 301 used in the nucleic acid analysis device 100 according to Embodiment 5 of the present application. Each of the substrates can be housed in a housing 901. The housing 901 can be shared between the substrates 107 and 301, or separate housings of different sizes and materials can be provided for the substrates.

[0057] The housing 901 has a larger planar size than the substrate 301. Thus, if the substrate 301 is housed in the housing 901 and placed on the workbench 705, the unused side of the discharge flow path 110 can be blocked. If the discharge flow path 110 is left open for a long time (e.g., several hours to several days) in a state where the discharge flow path 110 is not used, dust and the like can clog the discharge flow path 110. By installing the housing 901, such clogging can be prevented even if the substrate 107 is replaced with the substrate 301.

[0058] <Variations of the Present Application>

[0059] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various variations. For example, the above-described embodiments are described in detail in order to easily understand the present application, and are not limited to necessarily having all the structures described. Also, a part of the structure of an embodiment can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, and the structure of another embodiment can be added to the structure of an embodiment. Also, with respect to a part of the structure of each embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement of another structure can be performed.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the range photographed by the photographing mechanism 115 is larger when the substrate 107 is used than when the substrate 301 is used. Thus, in a case where the substrate is moved within the photographing range of the photographing mechanism 115, the moving range is larger when the substrate 107 is used. For example, in a case where the substrate is placed on the workbench 705 and moved by the workbench 705, the moving range of the workbench 705 is larger when the substrate 107 is used. Alternatively, if the photographing mechanism 115 can scan the photographing range or photographing position, the photographing range is larger when the substrate 107 is used.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the control sections 113, 114, and 404 can be constituted by hardware such as a circuit device in which the functions thereof are installed, or can be constituted by executing software in which the functions thereof are installed by an arithmetic device.

[0062] Explanation of symbols

[0063] 100 - nucleic acid analysis device, 101 - flow path, 102 - flow path, 103 - inlet portion, 104 - outlet portion, 105 - outlet portion, 106 - flow path branch point, 107 - substrate, 108 - introduction flow path, 109 - discharge flow path, 110 - discharge flow path, 111 - reagent suction mechanism, 112 - reagent suction mechanism, 113 - control portion, 114 - control portion, 115 - imaging mechanism, 116 - reagent container, 117 - reagent selection mechanism, 301 - substrate, 302 - flow path, 303 - inlet portion, 304 - outlet portion, 401 - first electromagnetic valve, 402 - second electromagnetic valve, 403 - reagent suction mechanism, 404 - control portion, 501 - block, 502 - first reagent selection electromagnetic valve, 503 - second reagent selection electromagnetic valve, 504 - third reagent selection electromagnetic valve, 505 - first reagent container, 506 - second reagent container, 507 - third reagent container, 602 - flow outlet, 603 - first reagent flow inlet, 604 - second reagent flow inlet, 605 - third reagent flow inlet, 606 - confluence site, 701 - tank, 702 - tank, 703 - pump, 704 - pump, 705 - workbench, 901 - housing.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid analysis device, characterized by, Possessing: a first substrate having a reaction field for analyzing a nucleic acid; an introduction path that transports a reagent introduced to the first substrate; a first discharge path that transports the reagent discharged from the first substrate; a second discharge path that transports the reagent discharged from the first substrate; a reagent selection mechanism that selects the reagent introduced to the first substrate; and a suction mechanism that suctions the reagent from an upstream side of the first discharge path and the second discharge path, thereby introducing the reagent to the first substrate via the introduction path, the first substrate possesses: an inlet portion connected to the introduction path; a first outlet portion connected to the first discharge path; a second outlet portion connected to the second discharge path; a first flow path that guides the reagent from the inlet portion to the first outlet portion; a second flow path that guides the reagent from the inlet portion to the second outlet portion; and a branch portion that branches from the inlet portion to the first flow path and the second flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected to each other only at the branch portion, a path that transports the reagent between the introduction path and the reagent selection mechanism is not branched, thereby configured so that a branched flow path that is not connected to the first substrate is not generated between the introduction path and the reagent selection mechanism when the reagent is supplied to the first substrate, the nucleic acid analysis device is configured to be able to exchange the first substrate and a second substrate, the second substrate possesses: a third outlet portion connected to the first discharge path; and a third flow path that guides the reagent from the inlet portion to the third outlet portion, when the first substrate is used, the suction mechanism suctions the reagent via the first flow path, the first outlet portion, and the first discharge path, and suctions the reagent via the second flow path, the second outlet portion, and the second discharge path, when the second substrate is used, the suction mechanism suctions the reagent via the third flow path and the third outlet portion, and via either of the first discharge path and the second discharge path.

2. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid analysis device further possesses a connection flow path connected from a reagent container that stores the reagent to the introduction path, the connection flow path is not branched in a path from the reagent container to the introduction path.

3. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid analysis device further possesses: a first groove positioned below the first substrate when the first substrate is installed in the nucleic acid analysis device; and a first pump that suctions the first substrate via the first groove, the first pump suctions the first substrate via the first groove, thereby fixing the first substrate to the nucleic acid analysis device.

4. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid analysis device further possesses: a first groove positioned below the first substrate when the first substrate is installed in the nucleic acid analysis device; and a second groove which is positioned below the first substrate when the first substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device; a first pump which draws the first substrate through the first groove; and a second pump which draws the first substrate through the second groove, the first substrate has a shape and planar dimensions such that both the first groove and the second groove are covered by the first substrate when the first substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device, the second substrate has a shape and planar dimensions such that the first groove is covered by the second substrate and the second groove is not covered by the second substrate when the second substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device, the first pump and the second pump draw the first substrate through the first groove and the second groove, respectively, thereby fixing the first substrate to the nucleic acid analysis device, the first pump draws the second substrate through the first groove, thereby fixing the second substrate to the nucleic acid analysis device.

5. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate is housed in a housing, the housing has a shape and dimensions such that the second discharge path is blocked when the second substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device.

6. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid analysis device further comprises a photographing mechanism which photographs a sample flowing in the first substrate or the second substrate, the range photographed by the photographing mechanism when the first substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device is larger than the range photographed by the photographing mechanism when the second substrate is mounted to the nucleic acid analysis device.

7. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism has: a first suction portion which is connected to the first discharge path; and a second suction portion which is connected to the second discharge path, the first suction portion draws the reagent through the first discharge path, and the second suction portion draws the reagent through the second discharge path, thereby introducing the reagent to the first substrate, the first suction portion draws the reagent through the first discharge path, thereby introducing the reagent to the second substrate.

8. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism has: a suction portion which is connected to the first discharge path and the second discharge path; a first valve which cuts off or opens the first discharge path; and a second valve which cuts off or opens the second discharge path, the first valve opens the first discharge path and the second valve cuts off the second discharge path, and the suction portion draws the reagent, thereby introducing the reagent to the first flow path, the first valve cuts off the first discharge path and the second valve opens the second discharge path, and the suction portion draws the reagent, thereby introducing the reagent to the second flow path, either one of the first valve and the second valve is opened and the other is cut off, and the suction portion draws the reagent, thereby introducing the reagent to the third flow path. ​ 9. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the reagent selection mechanism has: a first branch path connected to a first reagent container that contains a first reagent; a second branch path connected to a second reagent container that contains a second reagent; a confluence point at which the first branch path and the second branch path are joined; and a flow path that connects the confluence point and the inlet portion.

10. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 9, wherein the reagent selection mechanism has: a third valve that opens or closes a flow path between the first branch path and the first reagent container; and a fourth valve that opens or closes a flow path between the second branch path and the second reagent container, the reagent selection mechanism selects the first reagent by opening the third valve and closing the fourth valve, the reagent selection mechanism selects the second reagent by closing the third valve and opening the fourth valve.

11. The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the number of paths that transport the reagent discharged from the first substrate is greater than the number of the introduction paths.

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