Hydrophobic Fluid Nucleic Acid Isolation Flow System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid isolation methods face challenges such as substantial losses during washing due to the use of ineffective washing liquids, energy-consuming heating, and time-consuming drying steps, which hinder efficient purification and increase costs and labor.
Innovation Solution
A new flow method and system using a hydrophobic fluid to pass through a nucleic acid binding bed in a conduit, where the hydrophobic fluid separates and effectively washes out residual washing fluids without eluting the nucleic acids, eliminating the need for drying and allowing for higher flow rates and faster processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water or aqueous solutions with low salt concentrations are used for washing, then washing is simple, but nucleic acid losses occur during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (organic constituent such as alcohol) into the washing liquid to prevent nucleic acid losses. This intermediary allows effective washing while maintaining nucleic acid binding to the bed, resolving the contradiction between washing simplicity and nucleic acid retention.
2Loss of substance
If organic constituents are used in washing liquids to reduce nucleic acid losses, then washing effectiveness improves, but energy-consuming heating and time-consuming drying are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the organic constituents from the washing liquid through a specific removal step before elution, eliminating the need for energy-consuming heating and time-consuming drying while still achieving effective washing and reduced nucleic acid losses.
3Productivity
If high flow rates are used, then processing speed increases, but complete penetration of eluting solution through the membrane is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a hydrophobic fluid to the membrane surface before elution to pre-condition the membrane, ensuring complete penetration of the eluting solution even at high flow rates. This preliminary action maintains both processing speed and elution completeness.
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
This approach significantly reduces nucleic acid losses, simplifies the procedure, and accelerates the purification process, enabling high-yield, enzymatically reactive nucleic acids with minimal labor and cost, achieving efficient nucleic acid isolation and purification in a shorter time.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic fluid immiscible with them, which washes out the residual preceding fluid, in particular the washing fluid, from the bed
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a field of biochemistry, and more precisely to a method of isolation, purification, and/or concentration of nucleic acids, in particular from biological samples, which is performed in flow within a conduit, and comprises steps of nucleic acid binding on a bed, bed washing and elution of the bound nucleic acids. The invention relates also to devices and systems for nucleic acid isolation according to this method.