Generic sample preparation

Abstract

The present invention relates to the sample preparation of nucleic acids for diagnostic purposes. More precisely, the invention provides a process for simultaneously isolating at least a first and a second target nucleic acid from a plurality of different types of fluid samples and optionally amplifying said isolated nucleic acids in a simultaneous manner.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for simultaneously isolating a plurality of different target nucleic acids from a plurality of different types of biological samples, wherein the plurality of different target nucleic acids is selected from a group consisting of bacteria, DNA viruses, and RNA viruses, the process comprising:
 (a) adding an identical lysis buffer to the biological samples in the vessels, wherein the number of vessels corresponds to the number of biological samples, wherein the lysis buffer comprises a chaotropic agent, a buffer substance, an alcohol, and a reducing agent, wherein the lysis buffer has a pH between 5.5 and 6.5; combining a solid support material with the biological samples for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to permit the target nucleic acids to be immobilized on the solid support material, wherein the period of time and conditions are identical for the plurality of biological samples;   (b) isolating the solid support material of step (a) from other material that may be present in the biological samples;   (c) washing the solid support material of step (b) with a wash buffer; and   (d) separating the target nucleic acids from the solid support material;   thereby simultaneously isolating the target nucleic acids from the plurality of biological samples.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising in step (d) adding an elution buffer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (d) is carried out at a temperature between 70° C. and 90° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the solid support material comprises nucleic acid binding particles. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the solid support material is magnetic glass particles. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step (a) is carried out at a temperature less than or equal to 50° C. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 (e) transferring the target nucleic acids and optionally the solid support material to a plurality of reaction vessels; and   (f) amplifying the target nucleic acids.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising in step (c), washing the solid support material one or more times with a wash buffer by aspirating and dispensing the suspension comprising wash buffer and the solid supporter material one or more times using a pipette. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the target nucleic acid is bacterial DNA. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the target nucleic acid is viral DNA. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the target nucleic acid is viral RNA. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the biological sample is a human body fluid. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the human body fluid is selected from a group consisting of: blood plasma, blood serum, whole blood, urine, sputum, sweat, swab, pipettable stool, and spinal fluid. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is blood plasma. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is blood serum. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is whole blood. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is urine. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is sputum. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is sweat. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is swab. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is pipettable stool. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human body fluid is spinal fluid.