System and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids

摘要

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

主权项

1. A system for processing and detecting nucleic acids in cooperation with a cartridge comprising a heating region defined at a first surface, and a magnet housing region defined at a second surface in thermal communication with the first surface, the system comprising:
a capture plate configured to facilitate combination of a set of magnetic beads with a biological sample, thus producing a magnetic bead-sample; and a molecular diagnostic module, configured to process the magnetic bead-sample from the capture plate and separate nucleic acids from the set of magnetic beads, comprising:
a cartridge platform configured to receive the cartridge and comprising a magnet receiving slot aligned with the second surface during operation,a heater configured to transmit heat to the heating region at the first surface during operation, anda magnet coupled to a magnet heating element that heats the magnet during operation with the magnet proximal the second surface, the magnet configured to pass through the magnet receiving slot into the magnet housing region during operation, thereby facilitating separation of a nucleic acid volume from the magnetic bead-sample and heating of the magnetic bead-sample in cooperation with the heater.