Electrophoretic Collection Device for Nucleic Acid Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid analysis methods, particularly gel electrophoresis, face challenges in accurately size-fractionating and purifying nucleic acid samples due to the presence of foreign substances, which can lead to reduced data quality and increased analysis time, especially when dealing with large sample volumes and samples containing multiple foreign substances with similar sizes to the target substance.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid collection device and pretreatment device utilizing electrophoresis with an electrophoresis tank, light source, detector, and dispensing mechanism, where the electrophoresis gel has an injection hole and a collection hole, allowing for transverse illumination of the collection hole with excitation light to accurately separate and collect target nucleic acid samples while removing foreign substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gel electrophoresis with excision method is used for size fractionation, then separation ability is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical excision method with an automated system combining electrophoresis, optical detection (light source and detector), and computer-controlled dispensing. The system automatically detects nucleic acid bands via fluorescence and collects target fragments through controlled dispensing, eliminating manual gel cutting while maintaining separation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the device automatically performs detection, analysis, and collection without requiring operator intervention for band identification or gel excision. The computer-controlled system autonomously manages the entire process from electrophoresis to sample collection.
2Ease of operation
If simple collection hole method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but separation precision deteriorates when foreign substances have similar size to target substance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple visual inspection with an automated optical detection system using light sources and detectors that measure fluorescence intensity. This enables precise identification of target nucleic acid bands even when foreign substances have similar sizes, maintaining separation precision while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through optical detection during electrophoresis. The detector continuously monitors fluorescence intensity, and the computer-controlled system uses this feedback to accurately identify when target nucleic acid reaches the collection hole, ensuring precise separation even for similarly-sized fragments.
3Measurement precision
If manual excision method is used, then separation accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual excision with automated electrophoresis coupled with optical detection and computer-controlled dispensing. The system automatically collects purified nucleic acid samples without manual intervention, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining separation accuracy through precise detection and controlled collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation where electrophoresis, detection, and sample collection occur in an integrated automated workflow. The computer-controlled dispensing mechanism continuously monitors and collects target nucleic acid as it reaches the collection hole, eliminating idle time between separation and collection steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-purity separation and collection of nucleic acid samples with a target size distribution, reducing the risk of foreign substance contamination and improving the reliability of sequencing data by efficiently distinguishing and removing smaller DNA fragments with adapter sequences or dimers.
Implementation Method 1
electrophoresis method is generally used in a size fractionation
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to emit excitation light onto the nucleic acid sample separated by the electrophoresis; a detector configured to detect excited light
Data Source
AI summary
Preprocessing samples for nucleic acid analysis requires a means for effectively and accurately size-fractionating and dividing a nucleic acid sample in order to remove foreign substances that will negatively impact analysis performance. The present invention provides an electrophoretic collection device characterized by comprising: a collection hole for collection of a nucleic acid sample that has undergone electrophoretic separation; a light source 6 that radiates excitation light onto the nucleic acid sample; a detector 7 that detects light that has been emitted from the sample due to the radiated light; and a dispensing mechanism 9, 10, 11 that collects a nucleic acid sample solution within the collection hole, wherein the light source, detector, and dispensing mechanism can access the collection hole from respectively different directions.