Microfluidic DNA sample preparation method and device

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874265

Krulevitch, Peter A ^[1]; Miles, Robin R ^[2]; Wang, Xiao-Bo ^[3]; Mariella, Raymond P ^[2]; Gascoyne, Peter R. C. ^[4]; Balch, Joseph W ^[5]

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1. Pleasanton, CA
2. Danville, CA
3. San Diego, CA
4. Bellaire, TX
5. Livermore, CA

Manipulation of DNA molecules in solution has become an essential aspect of genetic analyses used for biomedical assays, the identification of hazardous bacterial agents, and in decoding the human genome. Currently, most of the steps involved in preparing a DNA sample for analysis are performed manually and are time, labor, and equipment intensive. These steps include extraction of the DNA from spores or cells, separation of the DNA from other particles and molecules in the solution (e.g. dust, smoke, cell/spore debris, and proteins), and separation of the DNA itself into strands of specific lengths. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a phenomenon whereby polarizable particles move in response to a gradient in electric field, can be used to manipulate and separate DNA in an automated fashion, considerably reducing the time and expense involved in DNA analyses, as well as allowing for the miniaturization of DNA analysis instruments. These applications include direct transport of DNA, trapping of DNA to allow for its separation from other particles or molecules in the solution, and the separation of DNA into strands of varying lengths.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: The Regents of the Universtiy of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6352838
• OSTI ID: 874265
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

microfluidic
dna
sample
preparation
method
device
manipulation
molecules
solution
essential
aspect
genetic
analyses
biomedical
assays
identification
hazardous
bacterial
agents
decoding
human
genome
currently
steps
involved
preparing
analysis
performed
manually
time
labor
equipment
intensive
extraction
spores
cells
separation
particles
dust
smoke
cellspore
debris
proteins
strands
specific
lengths
dielectrophoresis
dep
phenomenon
polarizable
move
response
gradient
electric
field
manipulate
separate
automated
fashion
considerably
reducing
expense
allowing
miniaturization
instruments
applications
direct
transport
trapping
allow
varying
electric field
dna molecule
preparation method
/435/204/999/