CELL DISRUPTION

摘要

A process for the disruption of a biological cell comprising freezing, boiling or perhaps alternately freezing and boiling the material containing the biological cell using a thermoelectric cell a base face whereof is contiguous with a heat sink/source held at a substantially constant temperature and a working face. Apparatus for carrying out the disruption process comprises a peltier cell a base face of which is flexibly attached to a heat sink arranged to be kept at a constant temperature of around 50°C and a working face of which is contiguous with a reaction vessel or a reaction vessel holder. Reversal of the voltage in the peltier cell enables the working face alternately to reach below freezing and above boiling temperatures, and/or with use of a resistive wire on the vessel holder for heating with the TEC used purely for cooling The peltier cell base face is constructed of materials which tend to inhibit disintegration of the peltier cell brought about by expansion and contraction under heat.