Continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays

Abstract

A method of determining the presence or amount of a target nucleic acid in each of a plurality of reaction mixtures. In the method, a first plurality of reaction mixtures are provided to a heater and subjected to conditions for performing a first amplification reaction. The presence or amount of a first target nucleic acid in each of the first plurality of reaction mixtures is determined during the first amplification reaction. During the first amplification reaction, a second plurality of reaction mixtures are provided to the heater and subjected to conditions for performing a second amplification reaction. The presence or amount of a second target nucleic acid in each of the second plurality of reaction mixtures is determined during the second amplification reaction. At least a portion of the second plurality of reaction mixtures are removed from the heater during the second amplification reaction.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of determining the presence or amount of a target nucleic acid in each of a plurality of reaction mixtures, the method comprising the automated steps of:
 a) providing a first plurality of reaction mixtures to a heater disposed on a generally horizontal work surface of an analyzer having a window situated above the work surface, wherein each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures is suspected of containing a first target nucleic acid, and wherein each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures contains reagents sufficient to perform a first nucleic acid amplification reaction with the first target nucleic acid;   b) in the heater, subjecting each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures to conditions sufficient to perform the first nucleic acid amplification reaction;   c) determining the presence or amount of the first target nucleic acid in each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures during the first nucleic acid amplification reaction;   d) during steps b) and c), providing a second plurality of reaction mixtures to the heater, wherein each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures is suspected of containing a second target nucleic acid, and wherein each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures contains reagents sufficient to perform a second nucleic acid amplification reaction with the second target nucleic acid;   e) in the heater, subjecting each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures to conditions sufficient to perform the second nucleic acid amplification reaction;   f) determining the presence or amount of the second target nucleic acid in each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures during the second nucleic acid amplification reaction; and   g) during steps e) and f), removing at least a portion of the second plurality of reaction mixtures from the heater.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures is contained in a first set of integrally formed receptacles, and wherein each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures is contained in a second set of integrally formed receptacles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the conditions of steps b) and e) are the same. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the heater is maintained at a constant temperature during steps b) and e). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second target nucleic acids are the same target nucleic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second nucleic acid amplification reactions are the same nucleic acid amplification reaction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each reaction mixture of the first plurality of reaction mixtures is exposed to a magnetic field during step c), and wherein each reaction mixture of the second plurality of reaction mixtures is exposed to a magnetic field during step f). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the heater comprises an enclosure having one or more closable openings for receiving receptacles therethrough, the receptacles containing the first and second plurality of reaction mixtures during the subjecting and determining steps. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the receptacles are carried on a rotatable carousel within the enclosure during the subjecting and determining steps. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the determining steps are performed with one or more fluorometers operatively associated with the heater.