Apparatus and method for sample purification analysis

Abstract

A method for utilizing a filtration device for removing interferants from a test sample containing a mixture of a composition of interest and interferants in an automated apparatus is disclosed. The filtration device includes a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of pores sized to retain the composition of interest while allowing smaller diameter interferants to pass through the membrane.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for purification of a proteinaceous material from a mixture of the proteinaceous material and interferants comprising: 
 a) supplying a first end of a hollow fiber filter with a mixture of a proteinaceous material having a molecular weight between approximately 50,000 and 1,000,000 and interferants having a molecular weight that is less than 50% of the molecular weight of the proteinaceous material to a first end of a hollow fiber filter;    b) applying a pressure force to a lumen of the hollow fiber filter to cause the interferants in the mixture to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter;    c) adding buffer or other fluid which does not react with the proteinaceous material to further cause the interferants to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter; and    d) recovering the proteinaceous material from a second end of the hollow fiber filter, said second end being disposed at an opposite end of the hollow fiber filter from the first end.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said proteinaceous material is selected from the group consisting of antibodies, activated antibodies, fluorescent labels, activated fluorescent labels, and conjugated antibody fluorescent label.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said interferants have a molecular weight that is less than 10% of the molecular weight of the proteinaceous material.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure force used to cause the interferants in the mixture to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter is a positive pressure force.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow fiber filter has a molecular weight cut off of from about 1,000 to 50,000.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proteinaceous material recovered from the second end of the hollow fiber filter is at a concentration greater than 40%.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proteinaceous material recovered from the second end of the hollow fiber filter is at a concentration greater than 60%.  
     
     
         8 . A method for purification of a biological macromolecule from a mixture of the biological macromolecule and interferants comprising: 
 a) supplying a first end of a hollow fiber filter with a mixture of a biological macromolecule having a molecular weight between approximately 20,000 and 2,000,000 and interferants having a molecular weight that is less than 50% of the molecular weight of the biological macromolecule to a first end of a hollow fiber filter;    b) applying a pressure force to a lumen of the hollow fiber filter to cause the interferants in the mixture to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter;    c) adding buffer or other fluid which does not react with the biological macromolecule to further cause the interferants to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter; and    d) recovering the biological macromolecule from a second end of the hollow fiber filter, said second end being disposed at an opposite end of the hollow fiber filter from the first end.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biological macromolecule is selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids and complex carbohydrates.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said interferants have a molecular weight that is less than 10% of the molecular weight of the biological macromolecule.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure force used to cause the interferants in the mixture to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber filter is a positive pressure force.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow fiber filter has a molecular weight cut off of from about 3,000 to 5,000.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological macromolecule recovered from the second end of the hollow fiber filter is at a concentration greater than 20%.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proteinaceous material recovered from the second end of the hollow fiber filter is at a concentration greater than 30%.