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  Mesoscale polynucleotide amplification device and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070190641Title: Mesoscale polynucleotide amplification device and method Abstract: Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide polymerization reaction. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system, which extends from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system includes a polynucleotide polymerization reaction chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port which is provided with reagents required for polymerization and amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. In one embodiment the devices may be utilized to implement a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the reaction chamber (PCR chamber). The PCR chamber is provided with the sample polynucleotide, polymerase, nucleoside triphosphates, primers and other reagents required for the polymerase chain reaction, and the device is provided with means for thermally controlling the temperature of the contents of the reaction chamber at a temperature controlled to dehybridize double stranded polynucleotide, to anneal the primers, and to polymerize and amplify the polynucleotide. (end of abstract) Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventors: Peter G. Wilding, Larry J. Kricka USPTO Applicaton #: 20070190641 - Class: 435288500 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Molecular Biology And Microbiology, Apparatus, Including Measuring Or Testing, Including A Dish, Plate, Slide, Or Tray, Including Multiple Compartments (e.g., Wells, Etc.), Including Means For Fluid Passage Between Compartments (e.g., Between Wells, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070190641. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is being filed contemporaneously with the following related copending applications: USSN MESOSCALE POLYNUCLEOTIDE AMPLIFICATION ANALYSIS [Attorney Docket No. UPA001 (8261/2)], Mesoscale Detection Structures; USSN [Attorney Docket No. UPA002 (8261/3)], Analysis Based on Flow Restriction; USSN [Attorney Docket No. UPA003 (8261/4)], Cell Handling in Mesoscale Analytical Devices; and U.S. Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No. UPA005 (8261/6)], Mesoscale Sperm Handling Devices, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for conducting analyses. More particularly, the invention relates to the design and construction of small, typically single-use, modules capable of analyses involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR). [0003] In recent decades the art has developed a very large number of protocols, test kits, and cartridges for conducting analyses on biological samples for various diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Immunoassays, agglutination assays, and analyses based on polymerase chain reaction, various ligand-receptor interactions, and differential migration of species in a complex sample all have been used to determine the presence or concentration of various biological compounds or contaminants, or the presence of particular cell types. [0004] Recently, small, disposable devices have been developed for handling biological samples and for conducting certain clinical tests. Shoji et al. reported the use of a miniature blood gas analyzer fabricated on a silicon wafer. Shoji et al., Sensors and Actuators, 15:101-107 (1988). Sato et al. reported a cell fusion technique using micromechanical silicon devices. Sato et al., Sensors and Actuators, A21-A23:948-953 (1990). Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp. (USA) has manufactured a microprocessor-controlled laser photometer for detecting blood clotting. [0005] Micromachining technology originated in the microelectronics industry. Angell et al., Scientific American, 248:44-55 (1983). Micromachining technology has enabled the manufacture of microengineered devices having structural elements with minimal dimensions ranging from tens of microns (the dimensions of biological cells) to nanometers (the dimensions of some biological macromolecules). This scale is referred to herein as "mesoscale". Most experiments involving mesoscale structures have involved studies of micromechanics, i.e., mechanical motion and flow properties. The potential capability of mesoscale structures has not been exploited fully in the life sciences. [0006] Brunette (Exper. Cell Res., 167:203-217 (1986) and 164:11-26 (1986)) studied the behavior of fibroblasts and epithelial cells in grooves in silicon, titanium-coated polymers and the like. McCartney et al. (Cancer Res., 41:3046-3051 (1981)) examined the behavior of tumor cells in grooved plastic substrates. LaCelle (Blood Cells, 12:179-189 (1986)) studied leukocyte and erythrocyte flow in microcapillaries to gain insight into microcirculation. Hung and Weissman reported a study of fluid dynamics in micromachined channels, but did not produce data associated with an analytic device. Hung et al., Med. and Biol. Engineering, 9:237-245 (1971); and Weissman et al., Am. Inst. Chem. Eng. J., 17:25-30 (1971). Columbus et al. utilized a sandwich composed of two orthogonally orientated v-grooved embossed sheets in the control of capillary flow of biological fluids to discrete ion-selective electrodes in an experimental multi-channel test device. Columbus et al., Clin. Chem., 33:1531-1537 (1987). Masuda et al. and Washizu et al. have reported the use of a fluid flow chamber for the manipulation of cells (e.g. cell fusion). Masuda et al., Proceedings IEEE/IAS Meeting, pp. 1549-1553 (1987); and Washizu et al., Proceedings IEEE/IAS Meeting pp. 1735-1740 (1988). The art has not fully explored the potential of using mesoscale devices for the analyses of biological fluids. [0007] Methodologies for using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). to amplify a segment of DNA are well established. (See e.g., Maniatis et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, pp. 14.1-14.35.) A PCR amplification reaction can be performed on a DNA template using a thermostable DNA polymerase, e.g., Taq DNA polymerase (Chien et al. J. Bacteriol.:127:1550 (1976)), nucleoside triphosphates, and two oligonucleotides with different sequences, complementary to sequences that lie on opposite strands of the template DNA and which flank the segment of DNA that is to be amplified ("primers"). The reaction components are cycled between a higher temperature (e.g., 94.degree. C.) for dehybridizing ("melting") double stranded template DNA, followed by a lower temperature (e.g., 65.degree. C.) for annealing and polymerization. A continual reaction cycle between dehybridization, annealing and polymerization temperatures provides exponential amplification of the template DNA. For example, up to 1 .mu.g of target DNA up to 2 kb in length can be obtained from 30-35 cycles of amplification with only 10.sup.-6 .mu.g of starting DNA. Machines for performing automated PCR chain reactions using a thermal cycler are available (Perkin Elmer Corp.) [0008] PCR amplification has been applied to the diagnosis of genetic disorders (Engelke et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 85:544 (1988), the detection of nucleic acid sequences of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples (Ou et al., Science, 239:295 (1988)), the genetic identification of forensic samples, e.g., sperm (Li et al., Nature, 335:414 (1988)), the analysis of mutations in activated oncogenes (Farr et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 85:1629 (1988)) and in many aspects of molecular cloning (Oste, BioTechniques, 6:162 (1988)). PCR assays can be used in a wide range of applications such as the generation of specific sequences of cloned double-stranded DNA for use as probes, the generation of probes specific for uncloned genes by selective amplification of particular segments of cDNA, the generation of libraries of cDNA from small amounts of mRNA, the generation of large amounts of DNA for sequencing, and the analysis of mutations. There is a need for convenient rapid systems for PCR analyses, which could be used clinically in a wide range of potential applications in clinical tests such as tests for paternity, and genetic and infectious diseases. [0009] An object of the invention is to provide analytical systems with optimal reaction environments that can analyze microvolumes of sample, detect very low concentrations of a polynucleotide, and produce analytical results rapidly. Another object is to provide easily mass produced, disposable, small (e.g., less than 1 cc in volume) devices having mesoscale functional elements capable of rapid, automated PCR analyses of a preselected cell or cell-free sample, in a range of applications. It is a further object of the invention to provide a family of such devices that individually can be used to implement a range of rapid clinical tests, e.g., tests for viral or bacterial infection, tests for cell culture contaminants, or tests for the presence of recombinant DNA or a gene in a cell, and the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The invention provides a family of small, mass produced, typically one-use devices for conducting a polynucleotide polymerization reaction to enable the rapid amplification of a polynucleotide in a sample. In one embodiment, the device comprises a solid substrate, on the order of a few millimeters thick and approximately 0.2 to 2.0 centimeters square, that is microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system. The flow system of the device includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port, and a polynucleotide polymerization reaction chamber in fluid communication with the flow channel polynucleotide. The term "mesoscale" is used herein to define chambers and flow passages having a cross-sectional dimension on the order of 0.1 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m, with preferred reaction chamber widths on the order of 2.0 to 500 .mu.m, more preferably 3-100 .mu.m. For many applications, channels of 5-50 .mu.m widths will be useful. Chambers in the substrate wherein amplification takes place may have somewhat larger dimensions, e.g., 1-5 mm. Preferred reaction chamber and channel depths are on the order of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m, typically 2-50 .mu.m. The flow channels in the devices, leading to the reaction chambers, have preferred widths on the order of 2.0 to 200 .mu.m and depths on the order of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m. [0011] In one embodiment, the devices may be utilized to implement a polymerization chain reaction (PCR) in the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may be provided with reagents for PCR including a sample polynucleotide, polymerase, nucleoside triphosphates, a first primer hybridizable with the sample polynucleotide, and a second primer hybridizable with a sequence that is complementary to the sample polynucleotide, wherein the first and second primers define the termini of the polymerized polynucleotide product. The device also may include means for thermally cycling the contents of the PCR chamber, such that, in each cycle, the temperature is controlled to 1) dehybridize ("melt") double stranded polynucleotide, 2) anneal the primers to single stranded polynucleotide, and 3) synthesize amplified polynucleotide between the primers. In one embodiment, the PCR chamber may comprise one section which is thermally cycled sequentially to the required temperatures for PCR. Alternatively, the PCR chamber may comprise two or more sections, set at the different temperatures required for dehybridization, annealing and polymerization, in which case the device further comprises means for cycling the contents of the chamber between the sections to implement the PCR, e.g., a pump or other means as disclosed herein. The device may further include means for detecting the amplified polynucleotide. The devices may be used to implement a variety of automated, sensitive and rapid polynucletide analyses, including analyses for the presence of polynucleotides in cells or in solution, or for analyses for a virus or cell types using the presence of a particular polynucleotide as a marker. [0012] Generally, as disclosed herein, the solid substrate comprises a chip, containing the mesoscale flow system and the reaction chamber(s). The mesoscale flow channels and reaction chambers may be designed and fabricated from silicon and other solid substrates using established micromachining methods. The mesoscale flow systems in the devices may be constructed by microfabricating flow channels and one or more reaction chambers into the surface of the substrate, and then adhering a cover, e.g., a transparent glass cover, over the surface. The devices analyze microvolumes (<10 .mu.L) of a sample, introduced into the flow system through an inlet port defined, e.g., by a hole communicating through the substrate or the cover. The volume of the mesoscale flow system typically will be <5 .mu.L, and the volume of individual channels, chambers, or other functional elements are often less than 1 .mu.L, e.g., in the nanoliter or even picoliter range. Polynucleotides present in very low concentrations, (e.g. nanogram quantities) can be rapidly amplified (<10 minutes) and detected. After a polynucleotide polymerization assay is complete, the devices may be discarded. [0013] The chips typically will be used with an appliance which contains a nesting site for holding the chip, and which mates one or more input ports on the chip with one or more flow lines in the appliance. After a biological fluid sample suspected. to contain a particular polynucleotide is applied to the inlet port of the substrate, the chip is placed in the appliance and a pump, e.g., in the appliance, is actuated to force the sample through the flow system. Alternatively, a sample may be injected into the chip by the appliance. Reagents required for the assay, such as a polymerase, may be added to the polynucleotide sample prior to injection into the chip. Alternatively, reagents necessary to complete the assay can be injected into the reaction chamber from a separate inlet port, e.g., by the appliance. Fluid samples and reagents may also enter the mesoscale flow system by capillary action. [0014] In one embodiment, the devices may be utilized to perform a PCR assay, and the temperature of one or more section(s) in the reaction chamber can be regulated by, e.g., providing one or more electrical resistance heaters in the substrate near the reaction chamber, or by using a pulsed laser or other source of electromagnetic energy directed to the reaction chamber. The appliance may include electrical contacts in the nesting region which mate with contacts integrated into the structure of the chip, e.g., to power electrical resistance heating of the reaction chamber. A cooling element may also be provided in the appliance to assist in the thermal regulation of the reaction chamber. The appliance may be provided with conventional circuitry sensors in communication with sensors in the device for thermally regulating the PCR temperature cycles required for the dehybridization and polymerization reactions. [0015] The amplified polynucleotide produced by the polynucleotide amplification reaction in the mesoscale reaction chamber can be collected through a port in the substrate and detected, e.g., by gel electrophoresis or any other method. Alternatively, a mesoscale detection region may be microfabricated in the substrate, in fluid communication with the reaction chamber in the device, as a part of the mesoscale flow system. The detection region may include a labeled binding moiety, such as a labeled polynucleotide or antibody probe, capable of detectably binding with the amplified polynucleotide. The presence of polymerized polynucleotide product in the detection region can be detected, e.g., by optical detection of agglutination of the polymerized polynucleotide and the binding moiety through a glass cover over the detection region or through a translucent section of the substrate itself. [0016] A positive assay may also be indicated by detectable changes in sample fluid flow properties such as changes in pressure or electrical conductivity at different points in the flow system upon production of polymerized polynucleotide in the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, the device comprises a mesoscale flow system which includes a polynucleotide amplification reaction chamber, and a detection region is used in combination with an appliance which includes sensing equipment such as a spectrophotometer capable of reading a positive result through an optical window, e.g., disposed over the detection region. The appliance may also be designed to receive electrical signals indicative of a pressure reading, conductivity, or the like, sensed in the reaction chamber, the detection region, or some other region of the flow system. [0017] The substrate may comprise a plurality of detection/reaction chambers to enable the rapid parallel detection of polynucleotides in a mixture. The mesoscale flow system may include protrusions, or a section of reduced cross sectional area, to enable the lysis of cells in the microsample prior to delivery to the reaction chamber. Sharp edged pieces of silicon, trapped in the flow path, can also be used as a lysis means. The mesoscale flow system also may include a cell capture region comprising a binding moiety, e.g., immobilized on a wall of a flow channel, which binds a particular type of cell in a heterogeneous cell population at a low fluid flow rate, and at a greater flow rate, releases the cell type prior to delivery of the cells to a cell lysis region then to a reaction chamber. In this embodiment, intracellular DNA or RNA is isolated from a selected cell subpopulation and delivered to the mesoscale reaction chamber for polynucleotide analysis in one device. [0018] In another embodiment, magnetic beads may be provided within the mesoscale flow system, which can be moved along the flow system by an external magnetic field, e.g., in the appliance. In one embodiment, a polynucleotide probe may be immobilized on the magnetic beads enabling the beads to bind to amplified polynucleotide in the reaction chamber. Magnetic beads containing an immobilized polynucleotide probe may be, e.g., transported through the flow system to the reaction chamber at the end of an assay to bind to the polymerized polynucleotide product. The bound polynucleotide may then be transported on the magnetic beads to a detection or purification chamber in the flow system, or to a collection port. [0019] Some of the features and benefits of the devices are illustrated in Table 1. The devices can provide a rapid test for the detection of pathogenic bacteria or viruses, or for the presence of certain cell types, or the presence of a gene or a recombinant DNA sequence in a cell. The devices as disclosed herein are all characterized by a mesoscale flow system including a PCR chamber which is used to amplify a polynucleotide in a sample, which may be provided with polymerase and other reagents required for PCR. The device may be used to amplify a polynucleotide in a wide range of applications. At the conclusion of the assay the chip typically is discarded. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Feature Benefit Flexibility No limits to the number of chip designs or applications available. Reproducible Allows reliable, standardized, mass production of chips. Low Cost Allows competitive pricing with Production existing systems. Disposable nature for single-use processes. Small Size No bulky instrumentation required. Lends itself to portable units and systems designed for use in non- conventional lab environments. Minimal storage and shipping costs. Microscale Minimal sample and reagent volumes required. Reduces reagent costs, especially for more expensive, specialized test procedures. Allows simplified instrumentation schemes. Sterility Chips can be sterilized for use in microbiological assays and other procedures requiring clean environments. Sealed System Minimizes biohazards. Ensures process integrity. Multiple Circuit Can perform multiple processes or Capabilities analyses on a single chip. Allows panel assays. Multiple Expands capabilities for assay and Detector process monitoring to virtually any Capabilities system. Allows broad range of applications. Reuseable Chips Reduces per process cost to the user for certain applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of a device according to the invention that includes a solid substrate 14, on which is machined mesoscale flow channel 20 connected to inlet ports 16 and PCR reaction chamber 22, with a transparent cover 12 adhered to the surface of the substrate. Continue reading... Full patent description for Mesoscale polynucleotide amplification device and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Mesoscale polynucleotide amplification device and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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