Nucleic acid quality measuring apparatus

Abstract

To provide a nucleic acid quality measuring device capable of collectively measuring the quality of a plurality of extracted nucleic acids.SOLUTION: The nucleic acid quality measurement device 1 includes a container storage part 10 in which a plurality of nucleic acid containers for storing nucleic acids are arranged in a row in the x direction, a measurement part 30 provided above the container storage part 10, a base part 20 for supporting the measurement part 30 so as to be movable in the z direction, and a control part for controlling the operation of each part. The measurement unit 30 includes a light projection and light reception unit 32 that supplies ultraviolet light to one of the plurality of nucleic acid containers and receives the ultraviolet light transmitted through the one nucleic acid container, and an x-direction movement mechanism 33 that moves the light projection and light reception unit 32 in the x direction along the plurality of nucleic acid containers. The base 20 includes a z-direction movement mechanism 23 that moves the measurement unit 30 in the z-direction. The container storage part 10 is provided with a plurality of ultraviolet ray transmissive optical fibers 12 for guiding the ultraviolet ray transmitted through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers to the light projecting and receiving unit 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nucleic acid quality measurement device for measuring the quality of extracted nucleic acid. [Background technology]

[0002] The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which has become widespread with the development of genetic engineering, is used to detect viruses and other pathogens. A sample (saliva, nasopharyngeal swab, etc.) is collected using a commercially available collection kit, nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) is extracted from the sample, the nucleic acid is amplified using PCR, and a genetic test is performed based on the amplified nucleic acid.

[0003] Nucleic acid extraction from multiple samples can be performed in parallel without manual intervention using nucleic acid extraction devices such as the magLEAD from Precision System Science Co., Ltd. However, such nucleic acid extraction devices do not have the functionality to check whether the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is appropriate. If the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is inappropriate (if the nucleic acid is not sufficiently extracted), performing a PCR reaction will result in failure to amplify the nucleic acid, resulting in a waste of time and reagents. Furthermore, if the extracted nucleic acid is to be stored at low temperature for a long period of time, it is necessary to check in advance whether the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is appropriate.

[0004] Typically, the quality of extracted nucleic acids is manually confirmed using a spectrophotometer as follows: First, the extracted nucleic acid solution is dispensed into a quartz cell of the spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer is used to measure the absorbance at 260 nm (A ) of the extracted nucleic acid solution, which is derived from the nucleic acid bases. 260 ) and the absorbance at 280 nm (A ) derived from the side chains of aromatic amino acids in proteins. 280 ) and then measure the ratio of the two, A 260 / A 280 Calculate A 260 / A 280 If the value is between 1.8 and 2.0, the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is judged to be appropriate.

[0005] The device of Patent Document 1 is described as measuring the absorbance in a solution containing protein or nucleic acid by irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light as it passes through a quartz flow cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special table number 2009-517641 (WO2007 / 062800) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a relatively large amount of extracted nucleic acid solution because it uses a flow cell. Furthermore, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and nucleic acid extraction devices such as magLEAD are not equipped with a function for simultaneously checking the quality of multiple extracted nucleic acids obtained from multiple samples in parallel.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid quality measurement device that can simultaneously measure the quality of multiple extracted nucleic acids. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Each embodiment of the present invention is configured as follows. (Example 1) A nucleic acid quality measurement device for measuring the quality of nucleic acids extracted from each of a plurality of samples, comprising: a container storage section in which a plurality of nucleic acid containers for storing the nucleic acids are arranged in a row in a first horizontal direction; a measuring unit provided above the container storage unit; a base that supports the measuring unit or the container storage unit so that the measuring unit or the container storage unit can move in a vertical direction; a vertical movement mechanism that moves the measurement unit or the container storage unit in a vertical direction; a control unit that controls the operation of each unit, the measurement unit includes a light projecting and receiving unit that sequentially irradiates ultraviolet light into the nucleic acid containers and receives the ultraviolet light that has passed through the nucleic acid containers, and a lateral movement mechanism that sequentially moves the light projecting and receiving unit along the nucleic acid containers in the first lateral direction, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the container storage unit includes a propagation path changing unit for changing the propagation path of ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers and guiding the ultraviolet light to the light projecting and receiving unit.

[0010] (Example 2) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The nuclear quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing unit is at least one ultraviolet reflector. (Example 3) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the second aspect, The ultraviolet reflector comprises a first ultraviolet reflector that reflects ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the ultraviolet light, and a second ultraviolet reflector that reflects ultraviolet light reflected by the first ultraviolet reflector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the ultraviolet light. (Example 4) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing unit is one or more optical fibers that are ultraviolet-transparent.

[0011] (Example 5) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the measuring unit includes one or more light projecting nozzles that supply ultraviolet light to the plurality of nucleic acid containers, and one or more light receiving nozzles that receive the ultraviolet light from the propagation path changing unit. (Example 6) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 5, A nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein one of the plurality of light projecting nozzles and one set of the plurality of light receiving nozzles are arranged side by side in the second horizontal direction. (Example 7) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 5, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the plurality of light projecting nozzles and the plurality of light receiving nozzles are each arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction.

[0012] (Example 8) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 4, The nucleic acid quality measurement device, wherein the one or more optical fibers are each arranged in a U-shape. (Example 9) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing units are arranged in a line in the first horizontal direction or are arranged extending in the first horizontal direction. (Example 10) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, A nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein at least some of the plurality of nucleic acid containers are made of an ultraviolet-transmitting material.

[0013] (Example 11) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The nucleic acid quality measurement device includes a plurality of lids that seal the plurality of nucleic acid containers, respectively. (Example 12) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 11, A nucleic acid quality measurement device, wherein at least some of the plurality of lids are formed from an ultraviolet light transmitting material. (Example 13) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to the first aspect, The control unit uses the lateral movement mechanism to move the light emitting / receiving unit in the first lateral direction, thereby irradiating ultraviolet light onto each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers and measuring the ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers, in a nucleic acid quality measurement device.

[0014] (Example 14) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 13, The control unit measures the absorbance A of wavelengths including 260 nm using the light emitting and receiving unit. 260and absorbance A at wavelengths including 280 nm 280 Nucleic acid quality measurement device that measures (Example 15) In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Example 14, The control unit detects the absorbance A 260 and absorbance A 280 A nucleic acid quality measurement device that calculates the ratio of (Example 16) A nucleic acid extraction apparatus for extracting nucleic acid from each of the plurality of samples, the nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising the nucleic acid quality measurement apparatus according to the first aspect. (Example 17) In the nucleic acid extraction device according to Example 16, The nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The nucleic acid quality measurement device of the present invention can measure the quality of a plurality of extracted nucleic acids in a batch in sequence. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view showing a nucleic acid quality measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the nucleic acid quality measurement device of FIG. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are a top view and a front view, respectively, showing the nucleic acid quality measurement device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of a measuring unit relative to the container storage unit of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lid and a nucleic acid container used in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 6] 2A and 2B are a top view and a front view, respectively, showing a nucleic acid extraction device equipped with the nucleic acid quality measurement device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the nucleic acid extraction device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a top view showing a nucleic acid quality measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the nucleic acid quality measurement device of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the nucleic acid quality measurement device of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a yz-direction cross-sectional view showing the measurement arrangement of the measurement unit and the container storage unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a container storage unit and a propagation path changing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a container storage unit and a propagation path changing unit in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is an exploded side view showing the container storage section and the propagation path changing section of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a nucleic acid container and a lid used in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 16] 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the nucleic acid container of FIG. 15 with a lid attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Each embodiment of the nucleic acid quality measurement device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate. In each drawing, the relative size and / or location of each part is accurately illustrated, in principle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In each embodiment of the present invention, the specimen is a biologically relevant substance, and preferably, a body fluid collected from a living body or any soluble tissue can be used. The x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction in each embodiment correspond to the first horizontal direction, second horizontal direction, and vertical direction in the claims, respectively.

[0018] (First embodiment) [Basic configuration of nucleic acid quality measurement device 1] The basic configuration of a nucleic acid quality measurement device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the nucleic acid quality measurement device 1 comprises a container storage unit 10 (cassette rack) that stores a plurality of measurement cassettes, a base 20 disposed diagonally above the container storage unit 10, a measurement unit 30 supported above the container storage unit 10 so as to be movable in the z direction relative to the base 20, and a control unit (computer) 50 that controls the operation of each unit. As shown in Fig. 2, the cassette rack 10 and base 20 are supported in appropriate positions by a support 40 indicated by a dashed line.

[0019] [Base 20] The base 20 is composed of a support plate 21 and a z-direction movement mechanism 23 that moves the measurement unit 30 in the z direction. While the z-direction movement mechanism 23 is illustrated as a lead screw mechanism, it is not limited to this. The z-direction movement mechanism 23 can also be, for example, a linear actuator or a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The z-direction movement mechanism 23 in this embodiment is composed of a motor 23a, a lead screw shaft 23b connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 23a and extending in the vertical direction, a moving block 23c that moves in the vertical direction as the lead screw shaft 23b rotates, and at least one base rail 23d fixed to the support plate 21 and extending in the z direction. A y-direction protruding end 23e of the moving block 23b is integrated with the housing 31 of the measurement unit 30 via a z-direction slot (not shown) formed in the support plate 21.

[0020] [Container storage section 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the container storage unit 10 (cassette rack) includes an upper stage 11, a plurality of optical fibers 12 (propagation path changing units) arranged below the upper stage 11, and a plurality of cassette storage units 11c formed on the upper stage 11 for arranging a plurality of measurement cassettes 13 (FIG. 4) in the container storage unit 10. The plurality of optical fibers 12 are UV-transparent and may preferably be optical fibers made of quartz glass. Each of the plurality of optical fibers 12 is U-shaped. The plurality of optical fibers 12 and the plurality of cassette storage units 11c are each arranged in a line in the x direction. Each measurement cassette 13 includes a lid 15 (plug tube) and a nucleic acid container 14 (measurement tube). The nucleic acid container 14 may preferably be integrated with the measurement cassette 13.

[0021] As shown in the yz-plane cross section of Figure 4, the container housing 10 includes a nucleic acid container recess 11a and a light projector nozzle recess 11b. A first end 12a of an optical fiber 12 is disposed in the bottom hole of the nucleic acid container recess 11a, and a second end 12b of the optical fiber 12 is disposed in the bottom hole of the light projector nozzle recess 11b. Each of the multiple measurement cassettes 13 includes a lid storage section 13a for storing a lid 15. Each of the multiple measurement cassettes 13 is fixed to the container housing 10.

[0022] In the first embodiment, an optical fiber 12 is provided for each measurement cassette 13 in the container housing unit 10, but this is not limiting. For example, one optical fiber 12 may be provided in the container housing unit 10, and an optical fiber x-direction movement mechanism that can move the single optical fiber 12 in the x-direction may be provided. The optical fiber x-direction movement mechanism may be the same as the x-direction movement mechanism 33 of the light emitting and receiving unit 32, for example. The control unit can move the single optical fiber 12 using the optical fiber x-direction movement mechanism so as to be linked to the movement of the light emitting and receiving unit 32 by the x-direction movement mechanism 33. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of ultraviolet-transmitting material, such as relatively expensive quartz glass, used.

[0023] [Measurement part 30] The measurement section 30 is composed of a housing 31, a light emitting / receiving unit 32, and an x-direction movement mechanism 33 that moves the light emitting / receiving unit 32 in the x-direction. A protruding end 23e of a moving block 23c is fixed to the surface of the housing 31 facing the support plate 21. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more sliders 31a that slide in the z-direction relative to one or more base rails 23d are fixed to the surface of the housing 31 facing the support plate 21.

[0024] The x-direction movement mechanism 33 of the measurement unit 30 can be, for example, a lead screw mechanism, but is not limited to this. The x-direction movement mechanism 33 can also be, for example, a linear actuator or a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The x-direction movement mechanism 33 of the first embodiment is composed of a motor 33a, a lead screw shaft 33b connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 33a and extending in the x-direction, a moving block 33c that moves in the x-direction by rotation of the lead screw shaft 33b, and one or more rails 33d fixed to the upper surface of the bottom of the housing 31 and extending in the x-direction.

[0025] The light emitting and receiving unit 32 is connected to a moving block 33c. The light emitting and receiving unit 32 and the moving block 33c move together in the x direction. The light emitting and receiving unit 32 and / or the moving block 33c include one or more sliders 33e that slide along one or more rails 33d.

[0026] 4, the light-emitting / receiving unit 32 is composed of an ultraviolet light source 32c (ultraviolet lamp) that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the light-emitting nozzle 32a, a filter 32d that filters the ultraviolet light received by the light-receiving nozzle 32b, and an ultraviolet light-receiving element 32e (silicon photodiode) that measures the ultraviolet light that has passed through the filter 32d. The transmission wavelength of the filter 32d can be switched between a first wavelength that includes at least 260 nm and a second wavelength that includes 280 nm. The first wavelength and the second wavelength do not overlap.

[0027] The light-projecting nozzle 32a and the light-receiving nozzle 32b each preferably include a quartz glass optical fiber (ultraviolet-transparent optical fiber) extending in the z direction. The light-projecting nozzle 32a may include a quartz rod lens instead of an optical fiber. A set of one light-projecting nozzle 32a and one light-receiving nozzle 32b is arranged side by side in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the multiple light-projecting nozzles 32a are arranged in a line in the x direction. Similar to the multiple light-projecting nozzles 32a, the multiple light-receiving nozzles 32b are also arranged in a line in the x direction. The multiple light-projecting nozzles 32a and the multiple light-receiving nozzles 32b are each fixed to the bottom of the housing 31. Note that the set of one light-projecting nozzle 32a and one light-receiving nozzle 32b may be movable together with the light-projecting and receiving unit 32. In this case, there is no need to provide multiple light-projecting nozzles 32a and multiple light-receiving nozzles 32b.

[0028] [Nucleic acid container 15 and lid 14] The nucleic acid container 15 and lid 14 for containing extracted nucleic acid are shown in Figures 5, 15, and 16. The nucleic acid container 15 and lid 14 can be used in the first and second embodiments. The nucleic acid container 14 is composed of an upper container portion 14-1 that contains the middle lid portion 15-3 of the lid 15, and a lower container portion 14-2 that contains the lower lid portion 15-1 of the lid 15 and the extracted nucleic acid solution. The upper container portion 14-1 is preferably cylindrical. The lower container portion 14-2 is formed with a smaller diameter than the upper container portion 14-1. The lower container portion 14-2 preferably protrudes downward in a conical shape relative to the upper container portion 14-1.

[0029] A flat container-side transmitting portion 14-2a that transmits ultraviolet light is formed at the lower end of the container lower portion 14-2. The container lower portion 14-2 is preferably tapered. At least the container-side transmitting portion 14-2a of the container lower portion 14-2 is formed from a UV-transmitting material. The UV-transmitting material can be made of, for example, a UV-transmitting acrylic resin. The container-side transmitting portion 14-2a of the nucleic acid container 14 faces the lid-side transmitting portion 15-2a of the lid 15 and the first end 12a of the optical fiber 12.

[0030] The lid 15 is composed of a cylindrical upper lid portion 15-1, a cylindrical middle lid portion 15-3 housed in the container upper portion 14-1, and a lower lid portion 15-2 connected to the annular inclined surface of the middle lid portion 15-3. The lower lid portion 15-2 protrudes downward in a conical shape relative to the upper lid portion 15-1. The lower lid portion 15-2 is formed with a smaller diameter than the upper lid portion 15-1 and the middle lid portion 15-3. The lid 15 (upper lid portion 15-1 and lower lid portion 15-2) houses the lower portions of the light-projecting nozzles 32a and 32A1.

[0031] A flat lid-side transmitting portion 15-2a that transmits ultraviolet light is formed at the lower end of the lid lower portion 15-2. The lid lower portion 15-2 is preferably tapered. At least the lid-side transmitting portion 15-2a of the lid lower portion 15-2 is formed from an ultraviolet-transmitting material. The ultraviolet-transmitting material can be made of, for example, an acrylic resin that transmits ultraviolet light. The outer surface of the conical lid lower portion 15-2 is in close contact with the inner surface of the conical container lower portion 14-2, forming a space S (FIG. 16) that contains the extracted nucleic acid solution between the lid-side transmitting portion 15-2a and the container-side transmitting portion 14-2a.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nucleic acid quality measurement device 1 of the first embodiment can be connected to a nucleic acid extraction device 2 that extracts nucleic acids from multiple samples in parallel. This allows continuous operations from nucleic acid extraction to quality measurement of the extracted nucleic acids. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the nucleic acid extraction device 2 is equipped with multiple dispensing nozzles 2a lined up in the x direction. The multiple dispensing nozzles 2a are equipped with an x-direction movement mechanism, a y-direction movement mechanism, and an aspirating / discharging mechanism. The x-direction movement mechanism and / or the y-direction movement mechanism can be, for example, a feed screw mechanism, a linear actuator, or a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The aspirating / discharging mechanism can be, for example, a linear actuator.

[0033] [Operation of nucleic acid quality measurement device 1] The control unit uses a plurality of dispensing nozzles 2a to dispense the nucleic acid solution extracted by the nucleic acid extraction device 2 into a plurality of nucleic acid containers 14. The amount of nucleic acid solution to be dispensed can be preferably 3 to 15 μl, more preferably 10±2 μl.

[0034] Next, the control unit 50 moves the multiple dispensing nozzles 2a from top to bottom toward the multiple lids 15 stored in the multiple lid storage units 13a, and attaches the multiple lids 15 to the multiple dispensing nozzles 2a. The control unit moves the multiple dispensing nozzles 2a with the multiple lids 15 attached to them to the multiple nucleic acid containers 14, and seals the multiple nucleic acid containers 14 with the multiple lids 15. The nucleic acid containers 14 are fixed to or integrated with the measurement cassette 13 in advance.

[0035] A plurality of elastic protrusions 15a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each of the lids 15. When the plurality of lids 15 are used to seal the plurality of nucleic acid containers 14, the elastic protrusions 15a of each lid fit into the plurality of holes (not shown) in the respective nucleic acid container recesses 11a, thereby fixing each lid 15 to the respective container-receiving section 10. With the plurality of lids 15 fixed to the container-receiving section 10, the control section moves the plurality of dispensing nozzles 2a upward, thereby separating the plurality of lids 13 from the plurality of dispensing nozzles 2a.

[0036] Next, the control unit 50 uses the z-direction movement mechanism 23 to lower the measurement unit 30 from the movement arrangement in Fig. 4(a) to the measurement arrangement in Fig. 4(b). In the measurement arrangement in Fig. 4(b), the light-projecting nozzle 32a is connected to the lid 14 that seals the nucleic acid container 14, and the light-receiving nozzle 32b is connected to the light-projecting nozzle recess 11b.

[0037] In the measurement arrangement of FIG. 4(b), the control unit 50 generates ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 32c. The ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the extracted nucleic acid solution in the nucleic acid container 14 via the lid-side transmission unit 15-2a. The ultraviolet light irradiated onto the extracted nucleic acid solution in the nucleic acid container 14 passes through the container-side transmission unit 14-2a, the optical fiber 12, the light-receiving nozzle 32b, and the filter 32d, and is measured by the ultraviolet light-receiving element 32e. During this measurement, the control unit 50 switches the wavelengths transmitted through the filter 32d to measure the absorbance (A) of the first wavelength, which includes 260 nm, originating from the nucleic acid bases. 260 ) and the absorbance at the first wavelength (A ) including 280 nm, which is derived from the side chains of aromatic amino acids in proteins. 280 ) and the control unit measures A 260 / A280 Calculate and A 260 / A 280 Preferably, the control unit displays the calculated A 260 / A 280 A value of 1.8 to 2.0 indicates that the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is adequate.

[0038] (Second embodiment) [Basic configuration of nucleic acid quality measurement device 1A] The basic configuration of a nucleic acid quality measuring device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The nucleic acid quality measuring device 1A comprises a container accommodating unit 10A that accommodates a plurality of nucleic acid containers 14 in the x direction, a measuring unit 30A disposed above the container accommodating unit 10A, and a control unit 50A that controls each unit. The control unit 50A is installed on a lower support 60. An upper support plate (base) 31A is supported on the lower support plate 60 by a plurality of first support columns 61 extending from the lower support plate 60 in the z direction. The measuring unit 30A is provided on the upper support plate 31A so as to be movable in the x direction. The container accommodating unit 10A is supported so as to be movable in the z direction by a plurality of second support columns 11A3 extending downward from the upper support plate 31A.

[0039] [Container storage section 10A] The container accommodating unit 10A is composed of an upper stage 11A, a propagation path changing unit 12A fixed to the lower surface of the upper stage 11A, and a z-direction movement mechanism 11A4 that supports the container accommodating unit 10A so that it can move in the z direction. The upper stage 11A is equipped with a plurality of light-emitting side connectors 11A1 arranged in a row in the x direction and a plurality of light-receiving side connectors 11A2 arranged in a row in the x direction. The light-emitting side connector 11A1 accommodates a nucleic acid container 14. The light-receiving side connector 11A2 accommodates a light-receiving nozzle 32A2. The light-emitting side connector 11A1 and the light-receiving side connector 11A2 have paths for propagating ultraviolet light in the vertical direction.

[0040] The z-direction movement mechanism 11A4 in the second embodiment is, for example, at least one linear bushing 11A4 provided on at least one second support column 11A3. The z-direction movement mechanism 11A4 has a locking mechanism that locks the container holder 10A at any z-direction position. At least one second support column 11A3 is preferably integrated with the upper stage 11A. With the user manually unlocking the locking mechanism, the user can move the container holder 10A in the z direction. Instead of the second support column 11A3 and the linear bushing 11A4, a feed screw mechanism whose operation is controlled by the control unit 50A may be provided.

[0041] The propagation path changing unit 12A changes the propagation path (propagation direction) of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light-emitting connector 11A1 and guides the ultraviolet light to the light-receiving connector 11A2. As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the propagation path changing unit 12A is composed of a first ultraviolet light reflecting plate 12A1 extending in the z-direction, a second ultraviolet light reflecting plate 12A2, a plurality of partition walls 12A3 arranged at regular intervals in the x-direction, and a cover plate 12A4. The cover plate 12A4 covers the outer peripheries of the plurality of partition walls 12A3, the back surface of the first ultraviolet light reflecting plate 12A1, and the back surface of the second ultraviolet light reflecting plate 12A2.

[0042] The first ultraviolet reflector 12A1 is disposed at an angle below the plurality of light-emitter connectors 11A1, along with the plurality of light-emitter connectors 11A1 arranged in a row in the x direction. The reflective surface of the first ultraviolet reflector 12A1 can be disposed at an angle of preferably approximately 45 degrees. The second ultraviolet reflector 12A2 is disposed at an angle below the plurality of light-receiving connectors 11A2, along with the plurality of light-receiving connectors 11A2 arranged in a row in the x direction. The reflective surface of the second ultraviolet reflector 12A1 can be disposed at an angle of preferably approximately 45 degrees. The reflective surface of the first ultraviolet reflector 12A1 and the reflective surface of the second ultraviolet reflector 12A1 form an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0043] The first and second ultraviolet reflectors 12A1 and 12A2 are made of an ultraviolet reflector, preferably an aluminum plate, more preferably a mirror-finished aluminum plate or an anodized and mirror-finished aluminum plate.

[0044] The partition plate 12A3 is configured to adhere to the back surface of the stage 11A and the inner surface of the cover plate 12A4, and to optically separate one set of the light-emitting connector 11A1 and the light-receiving connector 11A2 adjacent in the y direction from the other set. The surface of the partition plate 12A3 and the inner surface of the cover plate 12A4 may preferably be painted black to prevent reflection of ultraviolet light.

[0045] [Measurement section 30A] The measurement section 30A is composed of a light-emitting / receiving unit 32A arranged movably in the x-direction on the upper support plate 31A, an x-direction movement mechanism 33A that moves the light-emitting / receiving unit 32A in the x-direction, and a plurality of light-emitting nozzles 32a and a plurality of light-receiving nozzles 32b provided on the upper support plate 31A.

[0046] The light-emitting / receiving unit 32A is composed of an ultraviolet light source 32A3 (ultraviolet lamp) that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the light-emitting nozzle 32A1, a filter 32A4 that filters the ultraviolet light received by the light-receiving nozzle 32A2, and an ultraviolet light-receiving element 32A5 (silicon photodiode) that measures the ultraviolet light that has passed through the filter 32A4. The transmission wavelength of the filter 32A4 can be switched between a first wavelength that includes at least 260 nm and a second wavelength that includes 280 nm. The housing 32A6 of the light-emitting / receiving unit 32A movably accommodates the ultraviolet light source 32A3, the filter 32A4, the ultraviolet light source 32A3, and the ultraviolet light-receiving element 32A5.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 11, the plurality of light-projecting nozzles 32a and the plurality of light-receiving nozzles 32b are provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the upper support plate 31A. As shown in Fig. 8, the plurality of light-projecting nozzles 32A1 and the plurality of light-receiving nozzles 32A2 are arranged in a line in the x direction. One light-projecting nozzle 32A1 and one light-receiving nozzle 32A2 are arranged in the y direction, and form a measurement set.

[0048] The x-direction moving mechanism 33A is composed of a motor (stepping motor) 33A1, a timing belt 33A2 driven by the motor 33A1, a moving plate 33A3 that moves in the x-direction together with the timing belt 33A2, a slider 33A4 attached to the moving plate 33A3, and a guide rail 33A5 that slides the slider 33A4 in the x-direction. The housing 32A6 of the measuring unit 32A is integrated with the moving plate 33A3, and therefore moves in the x-direction on the upper support plate 31A by the x-direction moving mechanism 33A.

[0049] The nucleic acid quality measurement device 1A of the second embodiment can be connected to the nucleic acid extraction device 2 shown in Figures 6 and 7, similar to the nucleic acid quality measurement device 1 of the second embodiment. This allows continuous operations from nucleic acid extraction to quality measurement of the extracted nucleic acid.

[0050] [Operation of nucleic acid quality measurement device 1A] A plurality of nucleic acid containers 14, in which extracted nucleic acid S has been dispensed and sealed with lids 15 (FIG. 16), are pre-arranged on the light-emitting connector 11A1 of the stage 11A as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a transfer arrangement in which the measurement unit 32A is movable in the x direction. In the transfer arrangement, the container storage unit 10A and the propagation path changing unit 12A are located below the measurement unit 32A and the upper support plate 31A.

[0051] When the user or control unit 50A uses the z-direction movement mechanism to raise the container accommodating unit 10A and the propagation path changing unit 12A, the container accommodating unit 10A is connected to the measurement unit 32A, resulting in the measurement arrangement shown in Figure 11. In the measurement arrangement, the light-projecting nozzle 32A1 is connected to the lid 15 that seals the nucleic acid container 14, and the light-receiving nozzle 32A2 is connected to the light-receiving connector 11A2. The nucleic acid container 14 is accommodated in the light-projecting connector 11A1.

[0052] In the measurement arrangement of FIG. 11, the control unit 50A generates ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 32A3. The ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the extracted nucleic acid solution in the nucleic acid container 14 through the lid-side transmission section 15-2a. The ultraviolet light irradiated onto the extracted nucleic acid solution in the nucleic acid container 14 passes through the container-side transmission section 14-2a and is guided downward to the first ultraviolet light reflector 12A1. The first ultraviolet light reflector 12A1 reflects the ultraviolet light in the second horizontal direction (y direction) and guides it to the second ultraviolet light reflector 12A2. The second ultraviolet light reflector 12A2 reflects the ultraviolet light upward and guides it to the filter 32A4 through the opening of the light-receiving connector 11A2 and the opening of the light-receiving nozzle 32A2. The ultraviolet light that passes through the filter 32A4 is measured by the ultraviolet light receiving element 32A5.

[0053] During this measurement, the control unit 50A switches the wavelengths transmitted through the filter 32A4 to measure the absorbance (A 260 ) and the absorbance at a second wavelength (A ) at 280 nm, which is derived from the side chains of aromatic amino acids in proteins. 280 The control unit 50A measures A 260 / A 280 Calculate and A 260 / A 280 Preferably, the control unit displays the calculated A 260 / A 280 A value of 1.8 to 2.0 indicates that the quality of the extracted nucleic acid is adequate.

[0054] The nucleic acid quality measuring device 1 of the first embodiment can also be provided with the container storage section 10A and ultraviolet reflector 12A (propagation path changing section) of the second embodiment instead of the container storage section 10 and optical fiber 12 (propagation path changing section). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Nucleic acid quality measurement device 2 Nucleic acid extraction device 2a Dispensing nozzle 10 Container storage section 11 Upper stage 12 Optical fiber (propagation path change section) 20 base 23 Z direction movement mechanism 30 Measuring part 32 Light emitting / receiving unit 32a Light projection nozzle 32b Light receiving nozzle 32c UV source 32e UV photodetector 33 x direction movement mechanism 40 Support 1A Nucleic acid quality measurement device 10A Container housing section 12A Propagation path change unit (ultraviolet reflector) 12A1 First UV reflector 12A2 Second UV reflector 30A measurement section 33A x direction movement mechanism

Claims

1. A nucleic acid quality measurement device for measuring the quality of nucleic acids extracted from each of a plurality of samples, comprising: a container storage section in which a plurality of nucleic acid containers for storing the nucleic acids are arranged in a row in a first horizontal direction; a measuring unit provided above the container storage unit; a base that supports the measuring unit or the container storage unit so that the measuring unit or the container storage unit can move in a vertical direction; a vertical movement mechanism that moves the measurement unit or the container storage unit in a vertical direction; a control unit that controls the operation of each unit, the measurement unit includes a light projecting and receiving unit that irradiates ultraviolet light into the nucleic acid containers and receives the ultraviolet light that has passed through the nucleic acid containers, and a lateral movement mechanism that moves the light projecting and receiving unit along the nucleic acid containers in the first lateral direction, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the container storage unit includes a propagation path changing unit for changing the propagation path of ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers and guiding the ultraviolet light to the light projecting and receiving unit.

2. In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Aspect 1, The nuclear quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing unit is at least one ultraviolet reflector.

3. In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Aspect 2, the ultraviolet reflector comprises a first ultraviolet reflector that reflects the ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the plurality of nucleic acid containers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the ultraviolet light, and a second ultraviolet reflector that reflects the ultraviolet light reflected by the first ultraviolet reflector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the ultraviolet light.

4. In the nucleic acid quality measurement device according to Aspect 1, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing unit is one or more optical fibers that are ultraviolet-transparent.

5. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 1, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the measurement unit includes one or more light projecting nozzles that supply ultraviolet light to the plurality of nucleic acid containers, and one or more light receiving nozzles that receive the ultraviolet light from the propagation path changing unit.

6. 6. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 5, A nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein one of the plurality of light projecting nozzles and one set of the plurality of light receiving nozzles are arranged side by side in the second horizontal direction.

7. 6. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 5, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the plurality of light projecting nozzles and the plurality of light receiving nozzles are each arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction.

8. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 4, The nucleic acid quality measurement device, wherein the one or more optical fibers are each arranged in a U-shape.

9. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 1, The nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein the propagation path changing units are arranged in a line in the first horizontal direction or are arranged extending in the first horizontal direction.

10. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 1, A nucleic acid quality measuring device, wherein at least some of the plurality of nucleic acid containers are made of an ultraviolet-transmitting material.

11. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 1, The nucleic acid quality measurement device includes a plurality of lids that seal the plurality of nucleic acid containers, respectively.

12. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 11, A nucleic acid quality measurement device, wherein at least some of the plurality of lids are formed from an ultraviolet light transmitting material.

13. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 1, The control unit uses the lateral movement mechanism to move the light emitter / receiver unit in the first lateral direction, thereby irradiating ultraviolet light onto each of the multiple nucleic acid containers and measuring the ultraviolet light that has passed through each of the multiple nucleic acid containers.

14. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 13, The control unit measures the absorbance A of wavelengths including 260 nm using the light emitting and receiving unit. ２６０ and absorbance A at wavelengths including 280 nm ２８０ Nucleic acid quality measurement device that measures

15. The nucleic acid quality measurement device according to claim 14, The control unit determines the absorbance A ２６０ and absorbance A ２８０ A nucleic acid quality measurement device that calculates the ratio of

16. A nucleic acid extraction apparatus for extracting nucleic acid from each of the plurality of specimens, the nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising the nucleic acid quality measurement apparatus according to claim 1 .

17. 17. The nucleic acid extraction device according to claim 16, The nucleic acid extraction apparatus includes a plurality of dispensing nozzles arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction.

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