Binding method and apparatus for sorting objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of sorting objects including, providing a sample having wanted objects and unwanted objects; coating a surface of a sample holder with an antibody; placing an eluted sample on the sample holder; binding an antigen in the wanted objects with the antibody on the surface of the sample holder to sort the objects into wanted objects and unwanted objects; separating the wanted objects; and performing PCR-based STR analysis on the wanted objects. In one embodiment, holographic optical trapping is used to further sort the wanted objects. In other embodiments, the wanted objects are sperm and the antibody is a human sperm specific antibody, and the PCR is single cell PCR-based STR analysis. In still other embodiments, the binding is direct or indirect, ligands are used to bind to object-specific organomolecules, and protein A or protein G are used to bind the antibody.

1 . An apparatus for sorting objects comprising:
 a sample holder coated with an antibody, said sample holder containing a sample of wanted objects and unwanted objects, said wanted objects containing an antigen;   wherein said antibody coated on said sample holder binds with said antigen on said wanted objects;   a chip, including a microfluidics chip, on which said wanted objects are sorted; an apparatus for performing PCR-based STR analysis on said wanted objects and/or said unwanted objects.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a holographic optical trapping apparatus which optically traps and sorts said wanted objects from said unwanted objects in said sample.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wanted objects are cells, including sperm cells, and said unwanted objects are contaminants. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said PCR apparatus performs one of bulk PCR on multiple sorted objects of a same type, or single cell PCR-based STR analysis; and   wherein said apparatus for performing said PCR is automated and multiplexed.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sample holder and a substrate on which said apparatus performs said PCR-based STR analysis, are a single chip. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ligands disposed on said sample holder;   wherein cell surface receptors on a surface of said wanted objects bind with said ligands.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ligands disposed on said sample holder;   wherein said ligands are bound to object-specific organomolecules; and   wherein said ligand bound object uses said antibody against said ligand.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sample holder is a bead coated with said antibody to bind one of directly or indirectly to said wanted objects. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sample holder is coated with one of Protein A or Protein G. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said antibody further comprises a primary antibody and a secondary antibody;
 wherein said primary antibody is bound to said antigen; and   wherein said primary antibody is bound to a secondary antibody;   wherein said bead is coated with one of Protein A or Protein G and   wherein said bead recognizes and captures said wanted objects bound to said primary antibody.