Biological sample preparation for testing

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for processing a sample includes selecting a selected sample from a biological specimen, the selected sample being in contact with a first surface of a first substrate. The method also includes transferring the selected sample directly from the first surface to a container comprising an internal volume. The method also includes forming or providing a sample solution within the internal volume of the container by contacting the selected sample with a lysis mixture using a protocol. The method further includes performing an assay, experiment, or test on the sample solution while the sample solution disposed is within the internal volume of the container. In another embodiment, a method for processing a sample includes providing a selected sample comprising one or more cells. The method also includes transferring the selected sample into an internal volume of a container. The method also includes contacting the selected sample with a lysis mixture using a protocol to provide a sample solution, wherein the protocol comprises heating the sample solution to a first temperature that is greater than 37 degrees Celsius and less than or equal to 75 degrees Celsius.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing a tissue sample, comprising:
 dissecting with an optical system cell sample comprising one or more biological cells from a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sample;   transferring the sample of one or more biological cells into an internal volume of a container;   extracting the cell sample with a lysis mixture using an extraction protocol, wherein the extraction protocol comprises:
 incubating the cell sample with the lysis mixture at a first temperature of about 64° C. to about 66° C. for one hour; 
 increasing the incubation temperature of the cell sample to a second temperature of about 85° C. for at least 15 minutes; and 
 stopping lysis of the cell sample, thereby providing a sample solution containing one or more nucleic acids in the container. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for processing a sample containing one or more nucleic acids, comprising:
 providing a selected sample comprising one or more biological cells;   transferring the selected sample into an internal volume of a container;   contacting the selected sample with a lysis mixture using a protocol to provide a sample solution;   wherein the protocol comprises heating the sample solution to a first temperature that is greater than or equal to 45 degrees Celsius and less than or equal to 75 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising performing an assay, experiment, or test on the sample solution. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein before stopping lysis of the cell sample, the method further comprises preparing an RNA sample solution by adding DNase to at least part of the sample solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein after stopping lysis of the cell sample, the method further comprises performing reverse transcription on at least part of the RNA sample solution to form a cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises performing an assay, experiment, or test on the cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the cDNA sample solution comprises sequencing the cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the cDNA sample solution comprises performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, experiment or test on the cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises pre-amplifying at least part of the cDNA sample solution to form a pre-amplified cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises performing an assay, experiment, or test on the pre-amplified cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the pre-amplified cDNA sample solution comprises sequencing the pre-amplified cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the pre-amplified cDNA sample solution comprises performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, experiment or test on the pre-amplified cDNA sample solution. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after stopping lysis of the cell sample, the method further comprises preparing a DNA sample solution by pre-amplification of least part of the sample solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the DNA sample solution comprises sequencing the DNA sample solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the DNA sample solution comprises sequencing the DNA sample solution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the DNA sample solution comprises performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, experiment or test on the DNA sample solution. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the sample solution comprises sequencing the sample solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein performing an assay, experiment, or test on the sample solution comprises performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, experiment or test on the sample solution.