Barriers for facilitating biological reactions

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for performing biological reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of lipophilic, water immiscible, or hydrophobic barriers in sample separation, purification, modification, and analysis processes.

1 . A method of processing a sample, comprising:
 providing a device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein each of said first and second chambers is configured to contain a solution; the device also comprising a substance that is immiscible with and disposed between the first and second chambers;   placing a sample into the device;   applying a force to a solid phase carrier in the device, the solid phase carrier capable of associating with an analyte in the sample; and   transferring, by relative movement of the applied force with respect to the device, the solid phase carrier and associated analyte into and through the substance, wherein the solutions in the first and second chambers remain stationary during said transferring.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein placing further comprises placing a solution into the first chamber, the second chamber, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing comprises placing a solution that comprises a reagent for sample preparation into the first chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing comprises placing a solution that comprises a reagent for sample analysis into the second chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing further comprises placing a solid phase carrier in a chamber of the device prior to placing the sample in the first chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the solid phase carrier is at least one magnetic particle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein applying a force comprises applying an external magnetic force. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing a device comprising a solid phase carrier disposed within the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solid phase carrier is at least one magnetic particle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying a force comprises applying an external magnetic force. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transferring comprises moving a sample transport component that generates the force. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transferring comprises transferring the solid phase carrier and associated analyte from the solution in the first chamber, thorough air, and into the substance. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing a device wherein the first and second chambers are within a plurality of chambers, and the first chamber is preceded by one or more chambers in the plurality of chambers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said placing comprises placing the sample in a chamber preceding the first chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a chamber preceding the first chamber comprises a lysis reagent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chamber comprising the lysis reagent comprises magnetic particles as the solid phase carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a second of the one or more chambers preceding the first chamber comprises a chamber filled with a wash solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second chamber comprises an elution solution. 
     
     
         19 . A device, comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein each of said first and second chambers contains a solution with a reagent;   a substance that is immiscible with and disposed between the solutions in said first and second chambers; and   a solid phase carrier that associates with a target analyte and that is dimensioned for movement in the device from the solution in the first chamber when stationary into and through said substance and into the solution in the second chamber when stationary.   
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 a) a device comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein each of said first and second chambers contains a stationary solution with a reagent; the device also comprising a substance that is immiscible with and disposed between the solutions in said first and second chambers; and   b) a sample transport component configured to apply a force to a solid phase carrier disposed in the device, wherein application of the force to the solid phase carrier and movement of the sample transport component relative to the device causes movement of the solid phase carrier in the stationary solution in the first chamber into and through said substance and into the stationary solution in the second chamber.