A biomechatronic fluid-sample-handling system for DNA processing

Abstract

An automated biomechatronic small fluid sample preparation system for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) processing has been developed in the Genomation Laboratory of the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. The system automates steps necessary to prepare DNA for sequencing, using sample volumes ten times smaller than the current state-of-the-art manual and automated instrumentation. This will significantly reduce the time and cost of DNA sequencing and will help the Human Genome Project meet its goal of determining all three billion bases of human DNA sequence by the year 2005. The biomechatronic system comprising electromagnetic actuators, piezoceramic actuators, pneumatic pumps, linear mechanisms, thermal controllers, optical sensors, electronics, computer control, and software is described in detail. Successful experimental results, including restriction enzyme digests and polymerase chain reactions (PCR's) performed with this novel system, are presented.

Automation for Genomics, Part One: Preparation for Sequencing

“…With the recent trend toward miniaturization of processes in genome analysis, more systems are being developed that can handle submicroliter fluid volumes (e.g. Meldrum 1997 andMeldrum et al 2000).…”

Automated microfluidics for genomics

“…The initial concepts and proof-of-concept for this system were presented in [4] and the first generation ACAPELLA-1K processor was presented in [6]. The ACAPELLA-5K processor presented here, capable of processing 5,000 samples in 8 hours, has been built and is undergoing initial testing.…”

“…Applications of the technology include minimal residual disease quantification and sample preparation for DNA. Preliminary work on the ACAPELLA is presented in [4] [5]. This paper presents the current development on the ACAPELLA core processor and the thermal cycling module.…”

“…For a review of genome automation, see [2][3]. For an introduction to DNA sequencing and the automation of it, see [4].…”

“…For a review of genome automation, see [2][3]. For an introduction to DNA sequencing and the automation of it, see [4].In the Genomation Laboratory at the Univ. of Washington (http://rcs.ee.washington.edu/GNL/genomation.html) and with Orca Photonic Systems, Inc. (Redmond, WA), an automated submicroliter fluid sample preparation system called ACAPELLA is being developed.…”