Metal Mesh Nucleic Acid Extraction Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting DNA from soil microorganisms and atmospheric biological samples are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly due to the need for centrifugation and the limitations of using membrane or gelatin filters, which struggle with trapping and analyzing minor biological samples in fluids like air or liquids.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a metal mesh with aperture sizes tailored to trap biological samples, allowing for efficient filtration and extraction of nucleic acids using a solvent like phenol and chloroform that does not dissolve the mesh, enabling selective extraction and analysis of nucleic acids from trapped samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane filter or gelatin filter is used to trap biological samples, then filtration can be performed, but the biological sample cannot be efficiently collected or the filter is damaged by the extraction solvent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable metal mesh filter that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates the need to recover samples from durable filters and avoids contamination issues. The mesh is designed for one-time use where it traps biological samples, is extracted with solvent, and then disposed of, simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the filter from organic (membrane or gelatin) to inorganic (metal mesh). This parameter change makes the filter insoluble in the extraction solvent (phenol-chloroform), preventing filter damage and sample loss while maintaining filtration capability through appropriately sized apertures.
2Reliability
If centrifugation is used to extract DNA from soil microorganisms, then DNA can be separated, but the operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of separation by using a metal mesh filter that physically traps biological samples while allowing direct solvent extraction. This eliminates the need for centrifugation and other complex separation operations, reducing time and operational complexity while maintaining DNA extraction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a simple filtration system using metal mesh. Instead of using centrifugal force to separate DNA, the system uses physical filtration followed by direct solvent extraction, significantly reducing operational time and complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If large amount of air is filtered to collect sufficient biological samples, then sample quantity increases, but the collection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtration process into multiple stages using multiple metal mesh filters with different aperture sizes. This allows efficient trapping of biological samples at different size ranges, enabling sufficient sample collection without requiring excessive air filtration volume or complex single-stage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses metal mesh with controlled porosity (aperture size) to efficiently trap biological samples. The porous structure allows air to pass through while retaining target organisms, providing effective sample collection with simpler equipment compared to traditional filtration methods.
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 allows for the efficient trapping and extraction of nucleic acids from biological samples in fluids, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by facilitating precise filtration and reducing the need for cumbersome operations like centrifugation, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of DNA analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a biological sample existing in a fluid is trapped using metal mesh
Implementation Method 2
The metal mesh with the biological sample trapped thereon is immersed in a nucleic acid extractant. The nucleic acid extractant is a solvent for the nucleic acid but not for the coating structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a method for extracting nucleic acid. A biological sample existing in a fluid is trapped using metal mesh. The biological sample contains nucleic acid and a coating structure covering the nucleic acid. The metal mesh with the biological sample trapped thereon is immersed in a nucleic acid extractant. The nucleic acid extractant is a solvent for the nucleic acid but not for the coating structure.