Nucleic Acid Isolation Using Non-Chaotropic Bonding Chemistry

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for nucleic acid isolation are time-consuming, hazardous due to chemicals like phenol and chloroform, and inefficient for large-scale preparations, particularly requiring complex centrifugation steps and high chaotropic salt concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A mini spin column with a specialized membrane allowing rapid percolation and sufficient bonding/filter capacity, using non-chaotropic bonding chemistry with aliphatic alcohols like ethanol for DNA binding, and a column combination with an extender tube for larger volumes, reducing the need for centrifugation and increasing DNA yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phenol/chloroform extraction is used for nucleic acid isolation, then DNA can be effectively separated from proteins, but the process becomes hazardous to health and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful phenol/chloroform chemicals from the nucleic acid isolation process, replacing them with a safer alternative system using glass powder carriers and chaotropic salts that achieve the same DNA separation function without health hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the isolation system by replacing organic solvents (phenol/chloroform) with aqueous chaotropic salt solutions, fundamentally altering the chemical environment while maintaining effective DNA separation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional centrifugation steps are used for nucleic acid isolation, then DNA can be separated from the aqueous phase, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires complex apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a chemical-biological system where DNA binds to glass powder carriers in solution, allowing separation through filtration or decantation instead of requiring complex centrifugation apparatus and extended time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If chaotropic buffers are used for bonding nucleic acids to solid phase, then DNA isolation can be achieved, but additional mechanical homogenisation methods are required for tissue samples

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cell lysis function and DNA bonding function into a single integrated system where glass powder carriers serve both as mechanical disruption elements and as binding surfaces for DNA, eliminating the need for separate homogenization steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If high concentrations of chaotropic salts are used for DNA bonding, then nucleic acid isolation can be achieved, but the process becomes inefficient for large-scale preparations

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using glass powder carriers with specific surface properties that enable DNA binding at lower chaotropic salt concentrations, optimizing the local interaction environment at the carrier-DNA interface to improve overall process efficiency for large-scale preparations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 preparation time, eliminates complex centrifugation steps, and achieves high DNA concentrations with minimal elution and dead volumes, enabling efficient large-scale nucleic acid isolation.

Implementation Method 1

The membrane allows a rapid percolation of the lysate/alcohol mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPercolation:

Implementation Method 2

bonding of the DNA to glass particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

combines the dissolving of the agarose containing the DNA band to be isolated in a saturated solution of a chaotropic salt (NaJ) with a subsequent bonding of the DNA to glass particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChaotropic salt effect:

Implementation Method 4

The nucleic acids can then subsequently be obtained from the aqueous phase by means of dialysis or ethanol precipitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8685742B2Apparatus and method for the more efficient isolation of nucleic acids

Publication Date: 2014.04.01

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the more efficient cleaning of nucleic acids, and to a kit for carrying out this method.