Apparatus and method for purification of nucleic acids by phase separation using laser and beads

Abstract

An apparatus and method for purification of nucleic acids of cells or viruses are provided. The nucleic acid purification apparatus includes: a cell lysis capillary having a sample inlet through which samples and magnetic beads are introduced; a vibrator attached to the capillary and mixing the samples and the magnetic beads in the capillary; a laser generator attached to the capillary and supplying a laser to the capillary; and a magnetic force generator attached to the capillary and fixing the magnetic beads to a capillary wall. According to the method and apparatus, PCR yield can be increased since PCR inhibitors can be readily removed by means of a phase separation in a capillary. The use of an electromagnet ensures the removal of the PCR inhibitors. In addition, since cell lysis and DNA purification process can be simultaneously performed, LOC steps can be reduced.

1 . A nucleic acid purification apparatus of cells or viruses comprising:
 a cell lysis capillary having a sample inlet through which samples and magnetic beads are introduced;   a vibrator attached to the capillary and mixing the samples and the magnetic beads in the capillary;   a laser generator attached to the capillary and supplying a laser to the capillary; and   a magnetic force generator attached to the capillary and fixing the magnetic beads to a capillary wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrator is selected from the group consisting of sonicators, vibrators using a magnetic field, vibrators using an electric field, mechanical vibrators and piezoelectric materials. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic force generator is located above a laser pathway and is an electromagnet which is turned on when the magnetic beads in the cell lysis capillary are boiled. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a DNA amplification chamber connected to the cell lysis capillary through a channel which is opened or closed by a valve. 
     
     
         5 . A method of continuously performing purification and amplification of nucleic acids, the method comprising:
 injecting a solution containing cells or viruses to a capillary-shaped container containing magnetic beads;   vibrating the magnetic beads;   irradiating a laser beam onto the magnetic beads to disrupt the cells or viruses and binding compounds in the resulting cell or virus lysate to the magnetic beads;   fixing the magnetic beads, to which the compounds in the cell or virus lysate are bound, to a capillary-shaped container wall by means of a magnetic force generator; and   obtaining a solution without the magnetic bead and transferring the resulting solution to a amplification chamber through a channel connecting the container and the amplification chamber to perform amplification.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the laser comprises a pulse laser or continuous wave (CW) laser. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pulse laser is 1 mJ/pulse or more and the CW laser has a power of 10 mW or more. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pulse laser is 32 mJ/pulse or more and the CW laser has a power of 10 W or more. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the laser beam is generated in a wavelength range of 400 nm or more. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the laser beam is generated in a wavelength range of from 750 nm to 1300 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the laser is generated in one or more wavelength ranges. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the size of the magnetic beads is from 50 nm to 1,000 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the size of the magnetic beads is 1-50 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the container has a ratio of diameter to length ranging from 1:2 to 1:50. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the container has a diameter ranging from 1 nm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of polymers, organic materials, silicon, glass and metals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic beads comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic Fe, Ni, Cr, and oxides thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic beads are polymers, organic materials, silicon or glass coated with a ferromagnetic metal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic beads have a negatively charged surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the solution is selected from the group consisting of saliva, urine, blood, serum and cell cultures.