Automated Plasmid Purification Mixing Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated methods for plasmid purification often result in genomic DNA shearing, contaminating the final product and rendering it unusable for pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
An automated method involving a back-and-forth liquid flow in a mixing chamber is used to gently mix cells with a lysis buffering agent, minimizing the risk of genomic DNA shearing. This method includes forming a liquid mixture of cells and the chemical agent, and then mixing it using a back-and-forth liquid flow in the mixing chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated mixing methods (stream mixing, paddle mixing) are used to achieve efficient mixing, then productivity is improved, but genomic DNA shearing occurs causing product contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mixing systems (paddles, stream mixers) with a chemical-based mixing approach using a mixing chamber where reagents are combined through controlled fluid dynamics rather than mechanical agitation. This substitution eliminates the mechanical shear forces that cause genomic DNA shearing while maintaining effective mixing through the interaction of chemical reagents in a contained chamber environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mixing parameters from high-shear mechanical forces to gentle fluid flow conditions within a mixing chamber. By controlling flow rates, chamber geometry, and reagent composition, the system achieves effective mixing without the high shear velocities that cause DNA shearing in traditional automated mixing systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual mixing with gentle inversion is used to minimize genomic shearing, then genomic DNA integrity is preserved, but the process duration increases limiting productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber system performs mixing automatically through controlled fluid flow without requiring manual intervention or extended gentle inversion procedures. The chamber geometry and flow dynamics enable self-mixing of reagents, achieving effective combination quickly and automatically, thus preserving genomic DNA integrity while maintaining high productivity through automation.
3Productivity
If turbulent mixing in tubes or chambers is used for automated mixing, then mixing efficiency is improved, but shear forces cause genomic DNA shearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different mixing conditions to different stages of the process: gentle mixing conditions are maintained in the mixing chamber where genomic DNA is present, while more vigorous mixing can be applied in subsequent stages after DNA shearing risk is eliminated. This localized application of mixing intensity preserves DNA integrity during critical phases while maintaining overall mixing efficiency.
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 method effectively reduces the risk of genomic DNA shearing, resulting in high-quality plasmid purification that is scalable and integratable into a fully automated process.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the liquid mixture by providing a back-and-forth liquid flow in the mixing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an automated method for chemical treatment of cells in a mixing chamber, wherein the automatable method comprises providing cells, providing a chemical agent for treating cells, forming a liquid mixture comprising the cells and the chemical agent, and mixing the liquid mixture by providing a back-and-forth liquid flow in the mixing chamber. An automated process for purifying macromolecules, such as plasmids, and an automated system comprising a workstation configured for purifying such macromolecules are also provided.