Automated Nucleic Acid Processing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular diagnostic systems are labor-intensive, low throughput, and expensive, with methods being specific to certain sample matrices and nucleic acid types, making them inefficient for robust nucleic acid analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a capture plate with magnetic beads, a molecular diagnostic module with a microfluidic cartridge, heating and cooling subsystem, magnet, valve actuation, and optical subsystem, and an assay strip for processing and detecting nucleic acids, allowing for automated sample preparation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current molecular diagnostic methods are used, then nucleic acid detection can be performed, but the process is labor-intensive and low throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automated liquid handling robots and magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction that operate without manual intervention. The robotic system automatically performs pipetting, mixing, and sample processing steps, while magnetic beads self-assemble with target nucleic acids during the extraction process, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and significantly reducing labor intensity while increasing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated robotic systems. Liquid handling robots perform precise pipetting and transfer operations, while magnetic fields replace manual mixing and separation steps. The magnetic bead-based extraction system uses magnetic field manipulation instead of manual centrifugation or filtration, enabling high-throughput automated processing.
2Productivity
If current molecular diagnostic methods are used, then nucleic acid detection can be performed, but the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes reaction parameters including temperature cycling profiles, reagent concentrations, and incubation times to maximize amplification efficiency. The magnetic bead extraction protocol uses optimized magnetic field strength and duration to achieve complete nucleic acid recovery. These parameter optimizations reduce reagent consumption and improve yield, lowering the cost per sample while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic liquid handling system is designed to perform multiple functions including sample preparation, reagent dispensing, plate sealing, and waste removal. The magnetic bead extraction protocol can process various sample types (blood, saliva, tissue) and nucleic acid types (DNA, RNA) using the same basic methodology, reducing the need for multiple specialized protocols and reducing overall operational costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current molecular diagnostic methods are used, then detection can be performed, but the methods are specific to certain sample matrices and nucleic acid types
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic bead-based extraction system uses universal binding chemistry that works with diverse sample matrices including blood, saliva, urine, and tissue samples. The same bead protocol and magnetic separation methodology can extract both DNA and RNA, as well as different sizes and concentrations of nucleic acids. The robotic system is programmed with adaptable protocols that can be adjusted for different sample types without requiring fundamentally different equipment or methodologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates different sample types and nucleic acid targets by adjusting processing parameters such as lysis buffer composition, incubation temperature and time, magnetic field strength, and wash buffer conditions. These parameter modifications allow the same basic extraction platform to efficiently process diverse samples while maintaining high purity and yield, reducing the need for multiple specialized 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
The system enables efficient separation, amplification, and detection of nucleic acids, improving throughput and reducing labor and costs, while being applicable across various sample and nucleic acid types.
Implementation Method 1
a capture plate configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within a biological sample to a set of magnetic beads
Implementation Method 2
heating and cooling subsystem
Implementation Method 3
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common technique used to amplify nucleic acids
Implementation Method 4
optical subsystem
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.