Biological Analysis Systems, Devices, and Methods

Abstract

A device for performing biological sample reactions may include a plurality of flow cells configured to be mounted to a common microscope translation stage, wherein each flow cell is configured to receive at least one sample holder containing biological sample. Each flow cell also may be configured to be selectively placed in an open position for positioning the at least one sample holder into the flow cell and a closed position for reacting biological sample contained in the at least one sample holder. The plurality of flow cells may be configured to be selectively placed in the open position and the closed position independently of each other.

1 . A device for performing biological sample reactions, the device comprising:
 a plurality of flow cells configured to be removably mounted relative to a microscope translation stage;   wherein each of the plurality of flow cells is configured to receive a sample holder containing at least one biological sample,   wherein each of the plurality of flow cells is further configured to receive fluid when mounted relative to the microscope translation stage to enable a biochemical reaction of the at least one biological sample.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame mounted to the microscope translation stage, wherein the plurality of flow cells are configured to be removably mounted to the frame. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal system configured to control a temperature of the at least one biological sample received by the plurality of flow cells. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal system comprises at least one forced air cooling component. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal system comprises at least one thermoelectric component. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flow cells is configured to be mounted relative to a benchtop fixture to receive the sample holder. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flow cell is configured to receive a substrate comprising an array of microparticles comprising nucleic acids. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to perform nucleic acid sequencing. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the sample holders received by the plurality of flow cells is configured to be imaged when the plurality of flow cells are mounted relative to the microscope translation stage. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flow cells are configured to permit a biochemical reaction of sample to occur in at least one of the plurality of plurality of flow cells with a substrate comprising an array of microparticles comprising nucleic acid templates. 
   
   
       11 . A method for performing biological analysis, the method comprising: respectively providing a plurality of flow cells with a sample holder containing at least one sample for biological analysis;
 mounting each of the plurality of flow cells relative to a microscope translation stage; and   performing a biochemical reaction in each of the plurality of flow cells while the plurality of flow cells are mounted relative to the microscope translation stage,   wherein the respectively providing the plurality of flow cells with a sample holder occurs prior to the mounting of the plurality of flow cells relative to the microscope translation stage.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the respectively providing the plurality of flow cells with a sample holder occurs while the plurality of flow cells are mounted relative to a benchtop fixture. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the respectively providing the plurality of flow cells with a sample holder comprises respectively providing each of the flow cells while analysis of a reacted sample occurs in at least one other of the plurality of flow cells. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising imaging the sample holder received by the plurality of flow cells. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the performing the biochemical reaction comprises sequencing nucleic acids. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising performing a biochemical reaction in at least one of the plurality of flow cells while analyzing a reaction of the sample that has occurred in at least one other of the plurality of flow cells while the plurality of flow cells are mounted relative to the microscope translation stage. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising controlling a temperature of the at least one sample. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein controlling the temperature comprises forcing air proximate the plurality of flow cells. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein controlling the temperature comprises controlling the temperature via a thermoelectric component.