Uronic Acid Polysaccharide Composition for Automated Nucleic Acid Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid extraction methods are lengthy and not easily amenable to automation, requiring extensive sample processing and often include components that inhibit polymerase activity, making them unsuitable for rapid and accurate molecular diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an aqueous composition containing polysaccharides with uronic acid units to isolate nucleic acids by precipitation or concentration on a solid support, utilizing agents like modified pectins and carrageenan for efficient nucleic acid isolation compatible with automated detection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional nucleic acid extraction methods are used, then nucleic acids can be isolated, but the process is lengthy and not easily amenable to automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using polysaccharides with uronic acid units instead of conventional reagents. This parameter change enables rapid nucleic acid isolation while maintaining compatibility with automated systems, resolving the contradiction between speed and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of nucleic acid isolation from complex conventional methods by using a simplified aqueous polysaccharide composition. This extraction of the core function enables automation while maintaining isolation effectiveness, addressing the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
2Reliability
If conventional extraction reagents are used, then nucleic acids can be isolated, but components inhibit polymerase activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of polysaccharide interference into a benefit by selecting specific polysaccharides with uronic acid units that do not inhibit polymerase activity. This transforms the challenge of reagent compatibility into an advantage, ensuring both reliable nucleic acid isolation and subsequent amplification
Solution Approach 2:
The polysaccharide acts as an intermediary that facilitates nucleic acid isolation without transferring harmful properties to the isolated product. The specific structure of polysaccharides with uronic acid units mediates the isolation process while remaining compatible with downstream polymerase-based detection methods
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive sample processing is performed, then nucleic acid quality is improved, but the method is not compatible with automated detection
Solution Approach 1:
The polysaccharide composition performs multiple functions in a self-service manner: it facilitates nucleic acid isolation, ensures quality preparation, and remains compatible with automated detection without requiring additional processing steps. This self-service capability enables both high quality and automatability simultaneously
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
Facilitates rapid and efficient isolation of nucleic acids from various samples, compatible with automated systems, without inhibiting subsequent detection, allowing for high-quality nucleic acid analysis and detection methods such as PCR.
Implementation Method 1
concentrating the nucleic acid on a solid support thereby isolating the nucleic acid
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and compositions for isolation of nucleic acids from biological samples are provided.