Ionic Liquid Apparatus and Method for Biological Samples

Abstract

Apparatus and method for handling biological samples. Segments of ionic liquid can provide voltage across segments of immiscible liquid to concentrate or separate charged species in the biological samples. Reactants in biological samples can be contacted and reacted in segments of immiscible liquid.

1 . An apparatus for handling biological samples, comprising:
 a device for handling biological samples having an inlet in fluid communication with a first reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a second reservoir; and   a plurality of liquid segments formed in the device, the plurality of segments comprising an immiscible liquid segment between ionic liquid segments, wherein the immiscible liquid segment comprises the biological sample and the ionic liquid segment comprises a liquid salt.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a pressure is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a vacuum is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a voltage is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is adapted for at least one of PCR, ligase chain reaction, antibody binding reaction, oligonucleotide ligations assay, and hybridization assay. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is a protein sample. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said immiscible liquid segment comprises a separation polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said voltage is adapted to break said ionic liquid segment and contact said immiscible liquid segments, and wherein the immiscible liquid segment comprises the biological sample and the ionic liquid segment comprises a liquid salt. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said immiscible liquid segments comprise reactants. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said reactants are adapted for at least one of PCR, ligase chain reaction, antibody binding reaction, oligonucleotide ligations assay, and hybridization assay. 
     
     
         11 . A method for handling a biological sample comprising:
 providing a device for handling biological samples having an inlet in fluid communication with a first reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a second reservoir;   providing a plurality of liquid segments formed in the device, the plurality of segments comprising an immiscible liquid segment between ionic liquid segments, wherein the immiscible liquid segment comprises the biological sample and the ionic liquid segment comprises a liquid salt; and   providing a motive means for moving the liquid segments in the device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motive means is a pressure is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motive means is a vacuum is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motive means is a voltage is applied across said immiscible liquid segments. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said biological sample is adapted for at least one of PCR, ligase chain reaction, antibody binding reaction, oligonucleotide ligation assay, and hybridization assay. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claims 14 , wherein said voltage is adapted to break said ionic liquid segment and contact said immiscible liquid segments, and wherein the immiscible liquid segment comprises the biological sample and the ionic liquid segment comprises a liquid salt. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said immiscible liquid segments comprise reactants. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said reactants are adapted for at least one of PCR, ligase chain reaction, antibody binding reaction, oligonucleotide ligations assay, and hybridization assay.