Method of preparing nucleic acids for detection

US7396677B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NANOSPHERE, INC. · US

Inventors

• Tim Patno · Chicago, US
• Jennifer Hollenstein · Grayslake, US
• Christian Kronshage · Round Lake, US
• Christopher Khoury · Columbus, US
• Mark Weber · Algonquin, US
• Tom Westberg · Gurnee, US
• William H. Cork · Lake Bluff, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2003
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N35/1097
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for preparing a test sample for detecting a predetermined target nucleic acid. The method includes the steps of providing a test probe comprising an oligonucleotide attached to a nanoparticle and providing a hybridization unit containing the test sample and the test probe, wherein said hybridization unit further includes a target sample substrate and a distribution manifold coupled to a first side of the substrate. The method further includes the steps of clamping a processing fluids manifold to the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit, denaturing the test sample and preparing the test sample for detecting the predetermined target nucleic acid by pumping a plurality of processing fluids between the processing fluids source manifold and distribution manifold to hybridize the test probe and predetermined target nucleic acid to the target sample substrate, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify a detectable parameter of the hybridized sample.