System and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids

Abstract

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for processing nucleic acid content of a sample in cooperation with a cartridge comprising a heating region defined at a first surface, and a magnet housing region defined by a second surface in thermal communication with the first surface, the system comprising:
 a molecular diagnostic module comprising:
 a cartridge platform comprising a magnet receiving slot and operable to receive the cartridge and align the second surface of the cartridge with the magnet receiving slot, 
 a heater operable to transmit heat to the heating region of the cartridge at the first surface, and 
 a magnet coupled to a magnet heating element that heats the magnet, the magnet operable to pass through the magnet receiving slot into the magnet housing region, thereby facilitating separation of a nucleic acid volume from the sample and heating the sample in cooperation with the heater.