Other

Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Ab

Marcus J Horn

Alex Garfield Bonner

This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns (&ldquo;mini-columns&rdquo;), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and, a machine readable instruction code Bet for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads, analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, adressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The chemical treatment station (CTS) of this invention reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth (i.e., pump-up and pump-down); performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; solvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; an d performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar bode, and are performed without having to remove the cassette from the CTS, without having to detach and reattach a CTS/cassette interface, or otherwise require human intervention. Differing mini-column addresses or blocks may or may not be subjected to differing protocols.

Chemical sample treatment system and cassette, and methods for effecting multistep treatment processes

A cassette is used with a chemical immobilization and treatment system. The system with the cassette performs various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns (&ldquo;mini-columns&rdquo;), having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The inventive system reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; solvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, without having to remove the cassette or interface from the CTS, or otherwise require human intervention. The same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Funnel and one-piece column arrangement for retaining small quantities of chemical samples

This invention is directed to a cassette chemical chemical treatment station. The system with the cassette performs various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly having a high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressre solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The inventive system reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; salvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, without having to remove the cassette or interface from the CTS, or otherwise require human intervention. The same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Chemical treatment station for use with cassette having individually addressable sample mini-columns

A cassette chemical immobilization and treatment method enables the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ('mini-columns'), having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The inventive system reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth; performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; solvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, without having to remove the cassette or interface from the CTS, or otherwise require human intervention. The same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Method for sequential chemical treatment of less than milligram

This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ('mini-columns'), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The chemical treatment station (CTS) of this invention reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth (i.e., pump-up and pump-down); performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; salvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, and are performed without having to remove the cassette from the CTS, without having to detach and reattach a CTS/cassette interface, or otherwise require human intervention. Further, the same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Chemical sample loading station for loading sample solutions in a sample

This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The invention system reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; solvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, without having to remove the cassette or interface from the CTS or otherwise require human intervention. The same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Chemical sample treatment system and cassette, and methods for effecting

This invention is directed to a unitary one-piece sample mini-column for a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ('mini-columns'), reagent wells containing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, microencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment mechanisms for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identfying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having a high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. The same chemistries may be performed at all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate, completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

Unitary one-piece sample mini-column

This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ('mini-columns'), reagent wells containing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber. The chemical treatment station (CTS) of this invention reads the machine readable instruction code and performs chemistries on the analyte, including mixing solvents, reactants and buffers; detaching and shuttling the analyte back and forth (i.e., pump-up and pump-down); performing complex chemistries either on or off-column; solvation of powdered or lyophillized reagents; and performing in-line, on-board analysis. These protocols are performed automatically pursuant to instructions contained on a bar code, and are performed without having to remove the cassette from the CTS, without having to detach and reattach a CTS/cassette interface, or otherwise require human intervention. Further, the same chemistries may be performed on all sample mini-column addresses, or a separate completely independent set of protocols may be defined for each address, or for each block of addresses pursuant to the instructions contained in the machine readable code on the cassette.

A process and apparatus for the conversion of anilinothiazolino amino acid derivatives of peptides and proteins for use with conventional sequencers in the overall Edman degradation process. The apparatus comprises a modular unit separate from the sequencer having an independently programmable control and flow actuating and directing means including a source of pressurized nitrogen, a conversion reagent container, a wash solvent container, a reaction vessel, and a plurality of interconnecting tubes and valves controlled so as to regulate the amounts and durations of all fluids entering and leaving said reaction vessel under gas pressure. The process comprises performing the steps of conversion, sample recovery, drying and washing at temperatures below but near to the respective boiling points of both the reagent and the solvent, and under reflux tower conditions. A specific embodiment employs anhydrous methanolic hydrogen chloride for the reagent and dichloroethane methanol (7:3) for the solvent, and both the conversion and the washing are done at 65.degree. C., in a reaction vessel comprising a lower, heated portion, and an upper, cooled portion where the reflux action takes place both during the conversion and washing steps.

Process and apparatus for conversion of atz to pth amino acid

A process and apparatus for pulse labelling protein material for high sensitivitiy sequence analysis of protein material by Edman degradation technique comprising an isolated, auxiliary unit for storing a radioactive coupling reagent together with tubes, valves and controls for interrupting the Edman process, for pumping a measure of radioactive coupling reagent into the reaction vessel, a timer for controlling duration of contact between the radioactive reagent, and the protein material to maximize the coupling reaction therebetween, and thereafter reactivating the Edman process to admit nonradioactive coupling reagent to the vessel and to drive the coupling reaction to completion.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood Shores, CA, United States of America

Marcus J Horn