Systems, methods, and devices for automated nucleic acid and protein isolation

Inventors

VLASSOV, Alexandre • BARTA, Timothy • INSLEE, Justin • GENTERT, Ethan • Smith, Robert • THIELE, Sara • ADAMS, Carolyn • KRUGER, Kraig • Schneider, Robert • Lukianow, Wade • GRECO, Jay • Jones, Jason • CERRONE, David • Ghosh, Sumonto • VAJDA, Brian • BASTA, Andrew • Evans, Allan • Crowley, Christopher • Setterquist, Robert • Cox, Anne • MAYERNICK, Mark

Assignees

Life Technologies Corp • Tensentric Inc

Abstract

Purifying target biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins, from a biological source is a time intensive process and is typically performed by a skilled technician or scientist owing to the highly technical nature of the work. Systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein enable the automated bioprocessing and purification of target biomolecules from a biological source. For example, an instrument and disposable cartridge are provided for automatedly isolating and purifying nucleic acids (such as plasmid DNA from a bacterial culture) or for isolating protein from any biological sample. Such an exemplary instrument and cartridge can work in concert to timely release, mix, and move the target biomolecule and various reagents and buffers through a target biomolecule purification process, resulting in a purified target biomolecule with less manual oversight than traditional approaches.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an instrument for automated purification of a target biomolecule from a biological sample using a purification cartridge and integrated bioprocessing assemblies. The cartridge includes an input reservoir for receiving the biological sample, a first bioprocessing assembly in fluid communication with a lysis buffer reservoir to generate a lysate comprising the target biomolecule, and a second bioprocessing assembly that includes a target-biomolecule-binding filter configured to retain the target biomolecule.

The cartridge also includes a receptacle for receiving an output container to collect the target biomolecule from the second bioprocessing assembly. The instrument further includes a casing with an internal compartment and a position sensor for determining that the purification cartridge has been fully inserted. A pump assembly disposed in the internal compartment provides pumping action through peristaltic motion.

A clamp mechanism moves between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position the clamp mechanism fluidically seals the purification cartridge by exerting a first external layer and a second external layer toward one another. The described system also uses sensor data and process states to select a purification protocol from a protocol library and iteratively update the selected purification protocol using newly acquired sensor data.

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claim coverage centers on an instrument for automated purification of a target biomolecule from a biological sample. Four inventive features are identified: cartridge-based lysate generation and target binding, full insertion detection, peristaltic pumping, and clamp-based fluidic sealing.

Across the independent claim, the coverage centers on automating target biomolecule purification by integrating cartridge-based lysate generation and target capture via a binding filter, while using internal-compartment insertion sensing, an internal peristaltic pump, and a clamp mechanism that fluidically seals the cartridge by compressing opposing external layers.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications