Nucleic Acid Storage on Stabilized Solid Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage methods for processed biological samples, such as those described in WO2010091414, face issues with sample stability and the need for low temperatures, as well as the risk of liquid seal leaks, making them unsuitable for long-term, room-temperature storage of nucleic acids at a low cost and high reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device with a removable archive chamber using a dry absorbent solid substrate treated with nucleic acid stabilizing reagents, allowing for the stable and dry storage of extracted and amplified nucleic acids, which can be easily handled and stored for extended periods at room temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid seal is used to seal the archive chamber, then the archive chamber can be sealed, but leakage may occur and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the sealing material from liquid to solid. The solid sealing member is compressed to engage with the sealing surface, providing reliable sealing without the leakage risks associated with liquid seals. This parameter change (from liquid to solid state) resolves the contradiction by eliminating leakage while maintaining seal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the liquid seal mechanism with a solid mechanical sealing system. The solid sealing member, when compressed, creates a mechanical seal through contact pressure and engagement with the sealing surface, eliminating the need for liquid seals and their associated leakage problems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If low temperature storage is used, then sample stability is improved, but storage cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solid substrate provides inherent nucleic acid stabilization through its chemical composition and physical properties. The substrate itself acts as a stabilizing agent, allowing samples to be stored at room temperature without requiring external temperature control systems. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex refrigeration infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the storage temperature parameter from low temperature to room temperature by using a chemically treated solid substrate. The substrate treatment creates conditions that stabilize nucleic acids at higher temperatures, removing the requirement for temperature-controlled storage environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If dry storage on solid substrate is used, then storage simplicity and cost are reduced, but sample stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of a solid substrate treated with stabilizing reagents. This composite structure combines the simplicity of dry solid storage with the stability-providing chemical properties of the reagent treatment, achieving both ease of manufacture and sample stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid substrate is pre-treated with stabilizing reagents before sample storage. This preliminary action imparts stability properties to the substrate, ensuring that when the sample is deposited and dried, the nucleic acids are immediately protected without requiring additional stabilization steps during storage.
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 solution enables reliable, long-term storage of processed biological samples at room temperature, maintaining sample stability and reducing costs, while preventing degradation and leakage issues, making it suitable for forensic applications.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent solid substrate treated with at least one nucleic acid stabilising reagent
Implementation Method 2
treated with at least one nucleic acid stabilising reagent or reagent mix
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic device is disclosed for processing a biological sample in order to extract nucleic acids contained in said sample and for subsequently amplifying said extracted nucleic acids, said device including a processed sample storage archive area 10 comprising an absorbent solid substrate 14 treated with at least one nucleic acid stabilizing reagent or reagent mix, said substrate allowing the generally dry and stabilized storage of said extracted and/or amplified nucleic acids, for example for long term storage of biological samples recovered forensically.