Diagnostic and sample preparation devices and methods

摘要

Contemplated methods and devices are drawn to preparation and analysis of analytes from biological samples. In a preferred embodiment the analytes are nucleic acids that are both released from biological compartment present in the sample and fragmented through the use of a voltage potential applied to a pair of electrodes. The nucleic acids thus prepared are subsequently characterized.

主权项

1. A method of analyzing a biological sample, the method comprising:
transferring the biological sample to an extraction zone, wherein the extraction zone comprises a pair of electrodes; selecting a first electrical signal to apply to the pair of electrodes; and applying the first electrical signal to the pair of electrodes, such that a plurality of nucleic acids are released from the biological sample and fragmented within the extraction zone to produce a plurality of fragmented nucleic acids, wherein selecting the first electrical signal comprises selecting, based on a desired average length in bases of the plurality of fragmented nucleic acids, at least one of a magnitude of a voltage applied to the pair of electrodes, a duration of a voltage pulse applied to the pair of electrodes and a frequency at which a voltage pulse is applied to the pair of electrodes.