Methods and Apparatus for Transplantation of Nucleic Acid Molecules

摘要

In exemplary implementations, transplantation of nucleic acids into cells occurs in microfluidic chambers. The nucleic acids may be large nucleic acid molecules with more than 100 kbp. In some cases, the microfluidic chambers have only one orifice that opens to a flow channel. In some cases, flow through a microfluidic chamber temporarily ceases due to closing one or more valves. Transplantation occurs during a period in which the contents of the chambers are shielded from shear forces. Diffusion, centrifugation, suction from a vacuum channel, or dead-end loading may be used to move cells or buffers into the chambers.

主权项

1. A method comprising, in combination:
(a) moving one or more lysis agents into a microfluidic chamber to trigger lysis of one or more donor sources, which lysis occurs inside the chamber; (b) moving the lysis agents out of the chamber; (c) moving one or more recipient cells into the chamber; and (d) moving one or more transplantation agents into the chamber to trigger transplantation of nucleic acids into the recipient cells, which nucleic acids were, prior to the lysis, in the donor sources, and which transplantation occurs inside the chamber; wherein, at all times during the method, the chamber has one or fewer cell portals.