Systems for bioagent identification

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for analysis of samples, particularly biological and environmental sample to detect biomolecules of interest contained therein. A variety of system components are described herein, including, but not limited to, components for sample handling, mixing of materials, sample processing, transfer of materials, and analysis of materials. The invention further provides mechanisms for combining and integrating the different components and for housing, moving, and storing system components or the system as a whole. The systems may include any one or more or all of these components. The system finds particular use when employed for analysis of nucleic acid molecule using mass spectrometry, however, the invention is not limited such specific uses.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 at least one sample container handling component that comprises at least one non-priority sample container storage unit and at least one priority sample container storage unit that each store at least one sample container that is configured to contain one or more samples;   at least one mixing station that comprises at least one mixing container and at least one mixing mechanism that is configured to mix at least one composition comprising magnetically responsive particles disposed in the mixing container;   at least one sample processing component that comprises:
 at least one sample processing unit that comprises:
 at least one sample processing vessel that is configured to contain at least one sample comprising at least one magnetically responsive particle; 
 at least one magnet that generates, or is configured to generate, at least one magnetic field at least proximal to the sample processing vessel; and 
 
 at least one carrier mechanism operably connected to the sample processing unit, which carrier mechanism is configured to move the sample processing unit to one or more locations; 
   at least one detection component that is configured to detect at least one detectable property of at least one sample component;   at least one material transfer component that is configured to transfer material to and/or from the sample container handling component, the mixing station, the sample processing component, and/or the detection component; and,   at least one controller operably connected to, and configured to effect operation of, the sample container handling component, the mixing station, the sample processing component, and/or the detection component.