Automated High-throughput Platform for Tissue Homogenization and RNA Extraction

描述（由申请人提供）：2012年，用于研究的核酸样品制备的总体市场规模以及食品检测、化妆品、兽药和分子诊断的四个应用市场总计为57亿美元，预计2016年的复合年增长率为10%，达到97亿美元12-5。从组织中提取核酸已经成为一个拥挤的领域，但样品制备和RNA的分离仍然严重依赖于手工步骤。提供用于组织制备和RNA分离的快速、自动化系统是未满足的需求。我们有一个独特的细胞和组织裂解系统，微匀浆器（mH），这是一个低成本，一次性和快速有效的裂解单元。它由一个一次性电机和连接到移液器吸头的叶片组成。这有助于随时适应任何机器人液体处理系统的自动化和多路复用。我们准备一次多路复用8个样品，以微量滴定的形式进行均质化，从而使随后的RNA提取方案一次96个样品的自动化成为可能。将100 μ m单分散珠填充到小柱中的提取系统有助于超越离心机需求的提取方案。这使得快速自动化的提取方案，在微量滴定格式，高达96 样品时间

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall market size for nucleic acid sample preparation for research and the four applied markets of food testing, cosmetics, veterinary medicine, and molecular diagnostics total $5.7 billion in 2012 and with a moderate CAGR of 10 % is projected to $9.7 billion in 2016 12-5. Extraction of nucleic acids from tissue has become a crowded field yet sample preparation and isolation of RNA still relies heavily on manual steps. Providing a rapid, automated system for tissue preparation and RNA isolation is an unmet need. We have a unique cell and tissue lysing system, the microHomogenizer (mH), which is a low cost, disposable and rapidly effective homogenizing unit. It consists of a disposable motor and vane that attaches to a pipette tip. This facilitates ready adaptation to any robotic liquid handin system for automation and multiplexing. We are poised to multiplex eight samples at a time for homogenization in a microtiter format, thereby enabling automation of the subsequent RNA extraction protocol for 96 samples at a time. The extraction system of 100� mono-dispersed beads packed into small columns facilitates extraction protocols that transcend the need of a centrifuge. This enables rapid automation of the extraction protocols in a microtiter format, up 96 samples at time.