Magnetic Separation

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for magnetically separating paramagnetic beads for biomolecule isolation and processing are disclosed.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method comprising:
 drawing a liquid into a liquid conduit defining a flow axis; and   moving at least two magnets associated with the liquid conduit and spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the flow axis from a first position in which the magnets are separated from the associated liquid conduit in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis to a second position in which the magnets are juxtaposed to the associated liquid conduit.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein liquid conduit comprises a capillary tube. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the liquid is drawn into the liquid conduit by capillary action. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid is drawn into the liquid conduit by aspiration. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the method the method further comprises flowing liquid in the liquid conduit past the magnets in the first position. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid comprises magnetic beads. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the magnetic beads comprise target biomolecules bound thereto. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the target biomolecules comprise DNA. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the method is performed in a system comprising:
 a plurality of liquid conduits, each liquid conduit defining a flow axis;   for each liquid conduit, at least two magnets associated with the liquid conduit, the at least two magnets spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the flow axis defined by the associated liquid conduit; and   at least one actuator associated with the magnets, the at least one actuator being capable of causing each magnet to assume either a first position in which the magnet is separated from the associated liquid conduit in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis defined by the associated liquid conduit, or a second position in which the magnet is juxtaposed to the associated liquid conduit.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the system further comprises at least one pump operably connected to the plurality of liquid conduits such that activation of the at least one pump can create either a negative or a positive pressure within at least one of the plurality of liquid conduits. 
     
     
         33 . A method of magnetically separating target biomolecules from a sample, the method comprising:
 drawing a sample comprising magnetic beads having target molecules bound thereto into a liquid conduit defining a flow axis;   moving at least two magnets associated with the liquid conduit and spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the flow axis from a first position in which the magnets are separated from the associated liquid conduit in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis to a second position in which the magnets are juxtaposed to the associated liquid conduit to immobilize the magnetic beads in the liquid conduit; and   flowing a wash solution past the immobilized magnetic beads to separate the target molecules from the sample.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein liquid conduit comprises a capillary tube. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the sample is drawn into the liquid conduit by capillary action. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the sample is drawn into the liquid conduit by aspiration. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the target biomolecules comprise DNA. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the method further comprises eluting the target biomolecules from the immobilized magnetic beads. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the method further comprises moving the at least two magnets from the second position to the first position to release the magnetic beads. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the sample comprises a CLC comprising the magnetic beads. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the method is performed in a system comprising:
 a plurality of liquid conduits, each liquid conduit defining a flow axis;   for each liquid conduit, at least two magnets associated with the liquid conduit, the at least two magnets spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the flow axis defined by the associated liquid conduit; and   at least one actuator associated with the magnets, the at least one actuator being capable of causing each magnet to assume either a first position in which the magnet is separated from the associated liquid conduit in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis defined by the associated liquid conduit, or a second position in which the magnet is juxtaposed to the associated liquid conduit.   
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the system further comprises at least one pump operably connected to the plurality of liquid conduits such that activation of the at least one pump can create either a negative or a positive pressure within at least one of the plurality of liquid conduits.