Multi-Sample Particle Analyzer and Method for High Throughput Screening

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for analyzing a plurality of samples comprising obtaining with an autosampler a plurality of samples from a first plate having a plurality of sample wells wherein the autosampler has a plurality of probes for sampling a set of samples and wherein each probe of the plurality of probes is in communication with a separate flow cytometer via a separate conduit. The plurality of samples comprising particles is moved into a fluid flow stream for each separate conduit. Adjacent ones of the plurality of samples are separated from each other in the fluid flow stream by a separation gas, thereby forming a gas-separated fluid flow stream. The gas-separated fluid flow stream is independently guided to and through each separate flow cytometer.

1 . A method for analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:
 obtaining with an autoampler a plurality of samples from a first plate having a plurality of sample wells wherein the autosampler comprises a plurality of probes for sampling the plurality of samples and wherein each probe of the plurality of probes is in communication with a separate flow cytometer via a separate conduit;   moving the plurality of samples comprising particles into a fluid flow stream for each separate conduit;   separating adjacent ones of the plurality of samples from each other in the fluid flow stream by a separation gas, thereby forming a gas-separated fluid flow stream;   independently guiding the gas-separated fluid flow stream to and through each separate flow cytometer;   operating each separate flow cytometer to focus the gas-separated fluid flow stream and to selectively analyze the particles in each of the plurality of samples as the gas-separated fluid flow stream passes through each separate flow cytometer.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first plate is positioned on a platform that is moveable in the xyz direction to bring the samples to the probes. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of moving the plurality of samples are moved by a fluid moving device located before or after each separate flow cytometer. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluid moving device is a multihead peristaltic pump. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of moving is selected from moving with gravity, moving with suction, moving with pumping or moving with pushing. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the separate conduit is tubing. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the probes are positionable to the samples on the first plate. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the probes of the plurality of probes is positionable to a sample on a second plate. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of moving the plurality of fluid samples streams is at a rate that is independently controlled. 
   
   
       10 . A method for analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:
 obtaining with an autoampler a plurality of samples from a first plate having a plurality of sample wells wherein the autosampler comprises a plurality of probes for sampling a set of samples and wherein each probe of the plurality of probes is in communication with a multi-channel flow cytometer via a separate conduit attached to each of the probes of the plurality of probes;   moving the plurality of samples comprising particles into a fluid flow stream for each separate conduit;   separating adjacent ones of the plurality of samples from each other in the fluid flow stream by a separation gas, thereby forming a gas-separated fluid flow stream;   independently guiding the gas-separated fluid flow stream to and through the multi-channel flow cytometer;   operating the multi-channel flow cytometer to focus the gas-separated fluid flow stream and to selectively analyze the particles in each of the plurality of samples as the gas-separated fluid flow stream passes through the multi-channel flow cytometer.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first plate is positioned on a platform that is moveable in the xyz direction to bring the samples to the probes. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of moving the plurality of samples is with a fluid moving device located before or after the multi-channel flow cytometer. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fluid moving device is a multihead peristaltic pump. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of moving is selected from moving with gravity, moving with suction, moving with pumping or moving with pushing. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the separate conduit is tubing. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first plate is positioned on a platform that is moveable in the xyz direction to bring the samples to the probes. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of probes are positionable and move to the samples on the first plate. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the probes of the plurality of probes is positionable and moves to a plurality of samples located on a second plate. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of moving the plurality of fluid samples streams is at a rate that is independently controlled. 
   
   
       20 . A flow cytometry apparatus comprising:
 an autosampler comprising a plurality of probes with each probe suitable for inserting a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a separate fluid flow stream;   a plurality of flow cytometers in communication with the plurality of probes of the autosampler via a separate conduit connecting a probe of the plurality of probes with a separate flow cytometer of the plurality of flow cytometers; and   moving the plurality of samples in each separate fluid flow streams through each separate conduit to a selected flow cytometer of the plurality of flow cytometers, the plurality of probes introducing aliquots of a separation fluid between successive ones of the plurality of samples in each of the separate fluid flow stream to configure each of the separate fluid flow streams as a gas-separated fluid flow stream, each of the plurality of flow cytometers focusing the gas-separated fluid flow stream delivered by the separate conduit and selectively analyzing the particles in each of the plurality of samples as the gas-separated fluid flow stream passes through each separate cytometer of the plurality of cytometers.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the plurality of probes are positioned on an arm. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the plurality of probes are positionable relative to the plate. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the arm is fixed relative to the position of the plate. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the probes are independently positionable relative to each other. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a fluid movement device. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the fluid movement device is a pump. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the fluid movement device is positioned before or after a flow cytometer. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the step of moving is selected from pumping, pushing, suctioning or moving with gravity. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the fluid movement device comprises a plurality of fluid movement devices each associated with the separate conduit. 
   
   
       31 . A flow cytometry apparatus comprising:
 an autosampler comprising a plurality of probes for inserting a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a plurality of fluid flow streams;   a multi-channel flow cytometer in communication with the plurality of probes of the autosampler via a plurality of separate conduits connected to one each of the probes of the plurality of probes wherein each of the separate conduits of the plurality moves a separate fluid flow stream of the plurality of fluid flow streams; and   moving the plurality of samples in each of the separate fluid flow streams moving in each separate conduit to the multi-channel flow cytometer, the autosampler introducing aliquots of a separation fluid between successive ones of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream to configure the fluid flow stream as a gas-separated fluid flow stream, the multi-channel flow cytometer focusing the gas-separated fluid flow stream delivered by the conduit from the autosampler and selectively analyzing the particles in each of the plurality of samples as the gas-separated fluid flow stream passes through the multi-channel flow cytometer.   
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of probes are positioned on an arm. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of probes are positionable relative to the plurality of respective source wells. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the arm is fixed relative to the plurality of respective source wells. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the probes are independently positionable relative to each other and the plurality of respective source wells. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 31  further comprising a fluid movement device. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the fluid movement device is a pump. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the pump is positioned before or after the multi-channel flow cytometer. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  is a peristaltic pump.