Partition processing methods and systems

Abstract

The disclosure provides methods for separating and/or purifying one or more molecules released from one or more fluid compartments or partitions, such as one or more droplets. Molecules can be released from a fluid compartment(s) and bound to supports that can be isolated via any suitable method, including example methods described herein. The disclosure also provides devices that can aid in isolating supports bound to molecules.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method for purifying a target molecule, comprising:
 a) in a vessel, providing a support to a liquid mixture comprising contents of a destabilized droplet that comprise a target molecule, wherein the support binds the target molecule to provide a bound target molecule;   b) immobilizing the support at a first location of the vessel, thereby separating the support from the liquid mixture;   c) removing the liquid mixture from the vessel;   d) providing a suspension fluid to the vessel, thereby suspending the support in the suspension fluid; and   e) immobilizing the support at a second location of the vessel, thereby separating the support from the suspension fluid, wherein the second location of the vessel is different than the first location of the vessel.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein, in a), the liquid mixture further comprises a chaotrope that aids in the support binding the target molecule. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the chaotrope comprises guanadine thiocvanate or guanidine hydrochloride. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein, in a), the liquid mixture further comprises a destabilization agent capable of destabilizing an emulsion. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the destabilization agent comprises perfluorooctanol. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein b) further comprises magnetically immobilizing the support at the first location of the vessel. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein c) further comprises removing the liquid mixture from the vessel via suction. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein c) further comprises removing the liquid mixture from the vessel via decanting. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein e) further comprises magnetically immobilizing the support at the second location of the vessel. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising, after e), releasing the bound target molecule from the support, to provide a released target molecule. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , prior to the releasing the bound target molecule from the support, washing the support in one or more wash cycles by contacting the support with a washing agent. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising, after the releasing the bound target molecule from the support, subjecting the released target molecule to a solid phase reversible immobilization process. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the target molecule comprises a target nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising, after e), determining a sequence of the target nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising, after e), appending one or more additional nucleotides to the target nucleic acid molecule to provide a larger target nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising determining a sequence of the larger target nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the target molecule comprises a small molecule, a protein, or a peptide. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the support comprises a magnetic material or a particle. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the support is functionalized with a silanol or carboxylate that aids the support in binding the target molecule. 
     
     
         54 . A method for recovering target molecules from a plurality of droplets, comprising:
 a) providing a plurality of droplets having contents that comprise a plurality of target molecules;   b) releasing the contents from the plurality of droplets to provide released target molecules;   c) contacting the released target molecules with one or more supports in the presence of a chaotrope, wherein the one or more supports bind the released target molecules to provide bound target molecules, and wherein the one or more supports comprises at least one component responsive to a magnetic force; and   d) applying the magnetic force to the one or more supports.