Device for controlling thermal convection velocity of biochemical reaction and method for the same
Inventors
Su, Chen • TENG, Ping-Hua • Jeng, Chien-Chung
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9505004-B2
Publication Date
2016-11-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure is related to a device for controlling thermal convection velocity of a biochemical reaction. The thermal convection velocity controlling device includes a base body for disposing a tube which is movable, wherein the tube is filled with a buffer of the biochemical reaction; a heating source located at a bottom of the tube or at a side of the tube to heat the buffer; and a flow rate adjusting apparatus for controlling a thermal convection flow direction of the buffer in the tube, whereby the flow rate adjusting apparatus changes a flow velocity and a flow time of the buffer. The present disclosure is also related to a method for controlling thermal convection velocity of a biochemical reaction using the device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a thermal convection velocity controlling method for applying to a device for controlling thermal convection velocity of a biochemical reaction, including performing a convective polymerase chain reaction in a tube by filling a buffer of a biochemical reaction in the tube. The tube is disposed to be movable on a base body, and the convective polymerase chain reaction is performed by heating a bottom of the tube or an end side of the tube by a heating source.
The method decreases a temperature of a top of the tube by outside air and generates a thermal convection circulation in the buffer. A thermal convection circulation period is controlled to be equal to or longer than a single nucleic-acid amplification period needed in the buffer, and the control is effected by adjusting the tube at a tilt angle.
The tube is adjusted at a tilt angle using a flow rate adjusting apparatus, thereby controlling a flow direction of the buffer in accordance with a single nucleic acid amplification period needed in the buffer. By controlling the flow direction, the method changes a flow velocity and a flow time of the buffer, thereby completing denaturation, annealing, and extension in the convective polymerase chain reaction.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on generating thermal convection circulation in a buffer of a biochemical reaction by heating the tube bottom or side and decreasing the tube top temperature by outside air, and on adjusting a movable tube tilt in accordance with a single nucleic acid amplification period to control buffer flow direction, flow velocity, and flow time for completing denaturation, annealing, and extension.
Generating thermal convection circulation by heating and outside-air cooling
Heating a bottom of the tube or an end side of the tube by a heating source; and decreasing a temperature of a top of the tube by outside air and generating a thermal convection circulation in the buffer.
Controlling buffer flow direction, flow velocity, and flow time via tube tilt matched to a single nucleic acid amplification period
Adjusting the tube at a tilt angle using a flow rate adjusting apparatus, thus controlling a flow direction of the buffer in accordance with a single nucleic acid amplification period needed in the buffer, and therefore changing a flow velocity and a flow time of the buffer.
Completing denaturation, annealing, and extension in accordance with the controlled convection period
Controlling the flow direction, flow velocity, and flow time of the buffer thereby completing denaturation, annealing, and extension.
Tilt adjustment using a tilting load-bearing device connected to the base body
Adjusting the tube at a tilt angle using a flow rate adjusting apparatus, which is a tilting load-bearing device connected to the base body.
Tilt adjustment using a base body and a connecting rod with sliding from an upper position to a lower position
Adjusting the tube at a tilt angle by sliding the second end of the connecting rod along the support structure from an upper position to a lower position.
Flow rate adjusting apparatus as a bearing base that holds the tube and adjusts tube angle relative to the base body
Adjusting the tube at a tilt angle using a flow rate adjusting apparatus, characterized in that the flow rate adjusting apparatus is a bearing base which is placed on the base body and for holding the tube, and the bearing base adjusts a tube angle on the base body.
Collectively, the independent claims cover a convective polymerase chain reaction in which thermal convection circulation is generated by heating the tube bottom or side and cooling the tube top by outside air, and the tube is tilted using specified flow-rate adjusting apparatus arrangements to control buffer flow direction and thereby change flow velocity and flow time in accordance with a single nucleic acid amplification period, completing denaturation, annealing, and extension.
Stated Advantages
Improves amplification efficiency by controlling thermal convection velocity such that a single thermal convection circulation period is equal to or longer than a single nucleic-acid amplification period.
Documented Applications
Performing a convective polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a nucleic-acid amplification process, including completion of denaturation, annealing, and extension.
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