Research Tools
Device Uses Air Gap for Easier Fraction Isolation
WARF: P130107US01
Inventors: David Beebe, Scott Berry
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a device that requires no oil to extract and purify fractions of interest from a biological sample.
Overview
Isolating analytes from complex biological samples is one of the most crucial steps in many areas of biological research and clinical diagnostics. Paramagnetic particles (PMPs) or beads are important tools in this process. They can be used to bind a target of interest while background material and contaminants get washed away. More efficiently, the bound PMP/target can be magnetically moved from a background solution, through an immiscible phase, to separate the bead-bound analyte from the bulk sample solution.
With this technique, in contrast to other exclusion-based methods, the analyte-bound beads are moved through the interface without contact with a surface, allowing rapid and highly parallel isolations without loss due to friction along a surface. The device is highly amenable to well plate-based infrastructure, including liquid handling robots and multichannel pipettes.
With this technique, in contrast to other exclusion-based methods, the analyte-bound beads are moved through the interface without contact with a surface, allowing rapid and highly parallel isolations without loss due to friction along a surface. The device is highly amenable to well plate-based infrastructure, including liquid handling robots and multichannel pipettes.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed a new device for isolating desired fractions from a biological sample. The device is made of two plates separated by a gap. The first plate has droplets of bound sample/PMPs positioned on the surface. A second plate containing another reagent is positioned below. A magnet pulls the PMP/sample from the first plate, through the air gap, onto the second plate.
Applications
- Direct isolation of nucleic acids from a biological sample including DNA, RNA, proteins and cells from a variety of matrices
Key Benefits
- Does not require oil
- Reduces friction-based losses
- Device is straightforward to make and use.
- Empowers simple, efficient purification
- Increases throughput
- Useful in areas with limited access to technology
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Jeanine Burmania at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9846