Barriers for facilitating biological reactions

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for performing biological reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of lipophilic, water immiscible, or hydrophobic barriers in sample separation, purification, modification, and analysis processes.

1 . A device for facilitating extraction of a biological sample, the biological sample including non-desired material and a biological molecule of interest bound to a solid phase, the device comprising:
 a first chamber for receiving the biological sample therein;   a region for receiving a lipophilic material therein;   a second chamber for receiving a reagent therein; and   a transport mechanism moveable between a first position adjacent the first chamber and a second position adjacent the second chamber;   
       wherein the mechanism urges the molecule of interest bound solid phase from the first chamber, through the region and into the second chamber. 
     
     
         2 . The device of claim wherein the lipophilic material is an oil, the oil preventing the non-desired material from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a first channel having an input in communication with the first chamber and an output in communication with the region. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a second channel having an input in communication with the region and an output in communication with the second chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plate having an upper surface, the upper surface including:
 a first hydrophilic portion communicating with the biological sample; 
 a second hydrophilic portion communicating with the reagent; and 
 a hydrophobic portion communicating with the lipophilic material. 
 
     
     
         6 . A device for facilitating extraction of a biological molecule of interest from a biological sample, the biological sample including non-desired material and the biological molecule of interest bound to a solid phase, the device comprising:
 a first chamber for receiving the biological sample therein;   a second chamber for receiving a reagent therein;   a pathway interconnecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and   a transport mechanism movable between a first position adjacent the first chamber and a second position adjacent the second chamber; wherein the transport mechanism urges the molecule of interest bound solid phase from the first chamber, through the pathway and into the second chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a lipophilic material disposed in the pathway, the lipophilic material preventing the non-desired material from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the pathway includes a region for housing the lipophilic material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the pathway is at least partially defined by a first channel having an input in communication with the first chamber and an output communicating with the region. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the pathway is further defined by a second channel having an input in communication with the region and an output communicating with the second chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a plate having an upper surface, the upper surface including:
 a first hydrophilic portion communicating with the biological sample; 
 a second hydrophilic portion communicating with the reagent; and 
 a hydrophobic portion partially defining the pathway. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method for facilitating extraction of a fraction from a biological sample, the biological sample including non-desired material and a biological molecule of interest bound to a solid phase, the method comprising the steps of:
 depositing the biological sample in a first chamber; and   drawing the biological molecule bound phase substrate from the first chamber, through an intermediate region and into the second chamber with a force.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the intermediate region includes a lipophilic material preventing the non-desired material from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the lipophilic material is an oil.