AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR ISOLATING, AMPLIFYING AND DETECTING A TARGET NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCE

摘要

A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter (522), extractor (516), assay reader (502), and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA) (524). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.