Preparing biological samples for analysis

摘要

Methods and devices for preparing a biological sample for analysis are described. The biological sample from an organism has at least macromolecule having a primary structure that naturally degrades after the sample is removed from the organism. The method includes causing the biological sample to adopt a shape to permit rapid and uniform heating. The shaped sample is then rapidly and uniformly heated, thereby altering a secondary structure of the macromolecule while preserving its primary structure.

主权项

1. An apparatus for preparing a biological sample, the apparatus comprising;
a retaining member; a sample chamber; one or more heating elements; a transfer element; a sealing element; and a vacuum pump, wherein
the retaining member comprises the sample chamber;the sample chamber is configured to comprise a biological sample;the one or more heating elements are in communication with the retaining member such that heat can be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation to a biological sample when present in the sample chamber of the retaining member;the transfer element is fixably positioned adjacent to or on the retaining member and movable toward and away from the sample chamber such that the transfer element can introduce a biological sample into the sample chamber and the transfer element can remove a biological sample from the sample chamber;the sealing element configured to create a seal around the retaining member when the biological sample is heated; andthe retaining member and the sealing element together form a cavity that is in communication with the pump.