Spinning vessel systems and methods for mixing, suspending particulates, aliquoting, washing magnetic beads, and concentrating analytes

Abstract

Provided herein are apparatuses and systems for mixing liquids and suspensions that include vessels with structures that improve mixing while not contacting liquid delivery components. The apparatuses and systems can include a motor drive that allows speed and directional control of rotation of the vessel. The apparatuses and systems can include one or more magnets for separating magnetic beads in a suspension. Also provided are methods using said apparatuses and systems for mixing and separation processes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for magnetic bead attraction and liquid mixing comprising:
 at least one substantially cylindrical vessel with a center and a radius comprising a vessel opening, a vessel base exterior, an interior vessel wall, and an exterior vessel wall, the vessel further comprising:
 a magnet positioned adjacent to the exterior vessel wall; 
 a drive base operably connected to the vessel base exterior; 
 a motor operatively connected to the drive base, wherein the motor rotates the vessel along the vessel’s center; and, 
 a motor controller with speed and rotational direction control. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet generates a magnetic field sufficient to cause magnetic beads in the liquid to adhere to the interior vessel wall. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet generates a magnetic field greater than 30 megagauss-oersteds. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a plurality of side fins, the side fins comprising a side fin width and a side fin height, wherein the side fin width does not extend into a region closer than 1.5 mm to the center of the vessel;. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the vessel comprises a height and the side fin height is less than 20% of the vessel height. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the side fin width is at least 1 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein none of the side fins contact pipettors when the vessel is rotated. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel height is about 5 cm to about 150 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel base exterior comprises one or more engagement tabs and the drive base comprises one or more engagement slots. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel base exterior comprises one or more engagement slots and the drive base comprises one or more engagement tabs. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises direct drive or indirect drive. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises plastic or metal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises Polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acetal homopolymer), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Ultra-High Molecular Weight polyethylene, High Density Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyvinylidene Difluoride, silicone, modified Polyphenylene Oxide, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, Polyphenylene Sulfide, Polyether Ether Ketone, Perfluoroalkoxy, Polyetherimide, Polyamide-Imide, polyamide, polylactic acid (PLA), photo epoxy resin, or photo polymer resin. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising at least four vessels. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor controller comprises a computer control system. 
     
     
         17 . A method for separating or washing magnetic beads in a liquid or suspension comprising:
 (a) mixing a liquid or suspension comprising magnetic beads in the vessel of the system of  claim 1  by rotating the vessel in a clockwise direction for a first period of time, pausing the rotation for a second period of time, rotating the vessel in a counterclockwise direction for a third period of time, and pausing the rotation for a fourth period of time;   (b) optionally repeating step (a) a plurality of times;   (c) applying a magnetic field sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the magnetic beads to adhere to an interior vessel wall;   (d) removing a volume of the liquid or suspension from the vessel;   (e) optionally adding a second liquid or suspension to the vessel;   (f) optionally discontinuing the application of the magnetic field; and,   (g) optionally repeating steps (a) through (f).   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second liquid or suspension is a wash solution. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second liquid or suspension is an elution solution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the elution solution is an acid elution buffer, an alkaline elution buffer, Tris-EDTA elution buffer, deionized water elution buffer or a salt elution buffer.