Deaggregation Device for Emulsion PCR Sample Clumping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aggregated biological samples in emulsion PCR systems lead to issues such as clogging of fluidic lines, inhibited reaction with reagents, ineffective washing, and reduced accuracy in downstream analysis due to clumping, which results in loss of valuable samples and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A deaggregation device, such as a valve manifold or channel, is used to process aggregated samples, optimizing dimensions and flow rates to declump samples before, during, or after nucleic acid amplification procedures, thereby preventing sample damage and ensuring efficient separation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If emulsion PCR amplification is performed on encapsulated nucleic acid samples, then large numbers of DNA copies can be generated simultaneously, but sample aggregation and clumping occur which cause clogging of fluidic lines and reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary deaggregation by passing the microsphere suspension through a valve manifold or channel before the amplification and analysis steps. This preliminary action breaks up aggregates and clumps formed during emulsion PCR, preventing clogging of fluidic lines and ensuring smooth flow through the system, thereby maintaining high throughput without sacrificing reliability
2Device complexity
If aggregated samples are used in downstream analysis, then processing can be simplified, but reaction with reagents is inhibited and washing becomes ineffective leading to loss of valuable samples
Solution Approach 1:
The valve manifold or channel performs a preliminary deaggregation step that disperses clustered microspheres into individual units before downstream processing. This ensures that each microsphere is accessible to reagents for effective hybridization and reaction, and allows washing steps to effectively reach and remove unbound materials from all surfaces, preventing loss of valuable samples while maintaining straightforward processing
3Ease of operation
If samples are processed without deaggregation, then the system is simpler to operate, but clumping reduces accuracy in downstream analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a preliminary deaggregation step through the valve manifold or channel that automatically disperses aggregates before analysis. This maintains ease of operation as the deaggregation occurs automatically as part of the standard protocol, while simultaneously improving measurement precision by ensuring that individual microspheres are properly separated and accessible for accurate hybridization, washing, and detection in downstream analysis steps
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for processing a biological sample are provided herein. For example, the system can be configured to deaggregate/declump a sample before, during, and/or after sample preparation and/or sample analysis. For example, the system can include a deaggregation device/system in communication with, for example, a nucleic acid amplification process (e.g., an ePCR system). Various embodiments of the deaggregation device are provided herein. For example, in some embodiments, the deaggregation device can include a valve, a valve manifold, a conduit, a channel, or some combinations thereof.