Hydrogel Column Nucleic Acid Extraction Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid extraction methods face challenges in achieving high-purity extraction efficiently, with existing column-based methods being complex and time-consuming, and requiring skill-dependent phenol extraction or filter selection based on cell type.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid extracting apparatus using a hydrogel column with an agarose gel supporting member, including an injection groove and pressure-reducing holes, facilitates easy and efficient extraction by allowing nucleic acid to pass through while retaining impurities, and can be applied to various biological samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a column-based method with silica or fiberglass is used for nucleic acid extraction, then the extraction process becomes simpler compared to phenol extraction, but the operation complexity and time consumption increase due to the need to completely eliminate chaotropic reagents or ethanol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic chaotropic reagents and ethanol from the extraction process by using a hydrogel column that selectively binds nucleic acids without requiring these harsh chemicals. The hydrogel column allows nucleic acid recovery while eliminating the need to completely eliminate contaminating substances, thus simplifying the overall operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel column acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates nucleic acid extraction without requiring direct contact with chaotropic reagents or ethanol. The hydrogel matrix serves as a mediator that binds nucleic acids through hydrophilic interactions, allowing purification while avoiding the harmful effects of traditional reagents.
2Reliability
If phenol extraction method is used to refine nucleic acid, then high-purity nucleic acid can be obtained, but the extraction process takes a long time and greatly depends on worker skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical and skill-dependent phenol extraction process with a hydrogel column-based system that uses hydrophilic interactions and physical binding mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual operations and time-consuming phenol processing, achieving high purity extraction through a simplified, more rapid process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using a hydrogel column with specific hydrophilic properties instead of phenol. This parameter change allows nucleic acid purification through hydrophilic interactions, significantly reducing extraction time and eliminating the skill dependency inherent in phenol extraction methods.
3Quantity of substance
If chaotropic reagents or ethanol are used to dissolve cells and refine nucleic acid, then nucleic acid concentration is improved, but the need to completely eliminate these substances adds complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of chaotropic reagents and ethanol into a beneficial process by using a hydrogel column that selectively binds nucleic acids. Instead of requiring complete elimination of these substances, the hydrogel column allows their controlled use followed by easy removal, transforming a complex elimination process into a simple purification step.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel column serves as an intermediary that facilitates the transition from high-concentration nucleic acid extraction to pure nucleic acid recovery. It mediates between the need for chaotropic reagents/ethanol to dissolve cells and the need to eliminate them completely, providing a controlled environment for extraction followed by simple removal.
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
The apparatus enables stable and efficient nucleic acid extraction with improved recovery efficiency and purity, suitable for applications in DNA chip tests and point-of-care testing, reducing damage to nucleic acid and simplifying the extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogel column with an agarose gel supporting member, including an injection groove and pressure-reducing holes, facilitates easy and efficient extraction by allowing nucleic acid to pass through while retaining impurities
Implementation Method 2
The fiberglass or silica film has a low-combination ratio with a cell metabolic material, and therefore relatively highly-concentrated nucleic acid can be obtained
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid extracting apparatus, and the nucleic acid extracting apparatus can include a pipe-shaped tube having an open outlet at one side thereof, and a hydrogel supporting member that is provided inside the tube and filters impurities excluding an extraction target material.