DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMMOBILISING BIOMOLECULES USING MAGNETIC PARTICLES

Abstract

A device for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules by magnetic particles includes a container. The container is configured to be filled with a liquid containing biomolecules and a magnet. The magnet is arranged on the container in such a way that magnetic particles arranged in the container and to which the biomolecules are capable of being immobilized, are configured to be fixed in the container. An inhomogeneous magnetic field id configured to act on the magnetic particles disposed in the container and is capable of being generated by the arrangement of the magnet, so that the magnetic particles are arranged in a structured manner by the influence of the inhomogeneous magnetic field.

Claims

1. A device for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules by magnetic particles, the device comprising: a container configured to be filled with a liquid containing biomolecules and a magnet, the magnet arranged on the container in such a way that magnetic particles arranged in the container and to which the biomolecules are capable of being immobilized, are configured to be fixed in the container; an inhomogeneous magnetic field configured to act on the magnetic particles disposed in the container is capable of being generated by the arrangement of the magnet, so that the magnetic particles are arranged in a structured manner by the influence of the inhomogeneous magnetic field.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is configured to be arranged in such a way that the magnet comprises a magnetically conductive module, so that the inhomogeneous magnetic field acting on the magnetic particles disposed in the container are capable of being generated by the magnetically conductive module.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetically conductive module is arranged as a component on the magnet or the magnetically conductive module is an integrated element of the magnet.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetically conductive module is a magnetically amplifying module or a diamagnetic module.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the magnet is configured to a shape of the container, so that the container is capable of being inserted into the magnetically conductive module.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is a multiwell plate and the multiwell plate has a plurality of wells.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the magnet is arranged at the plurality of wells of the multiwell plate.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet comprises a hole or an indentation for inserting the container.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is configured to be arranged in such a way that a second magnet is arranged on the magnet in such a way that the first magnetic field of the magnet is capable of being influenced by the second magnetic field of the second magnet, so that the inhomogeneous magnetic field acting on the magnetic particles disposed in the container is capable of being generated.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is configured to be arranged in such a way that the magnet has a notch, so that the inhomogeneous magnetic field is capable of being generated by the notch of the magnet.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an instrument capable of removing the liquid.

13. A method for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules, the method comprising: arranging magnetic particles and a liquid with biomolecules in a container; bonding the biomolecules to the magnetic particles; fixing the magnetic particles in the container in an inhomogeneous magnetic field generated by the arranging of the magnet, so that the magnetic particles (4) arrange themselves in a structured manner; removing the liquid with an instrument for removing a liquid, the liquid flowing off from the magnetic particles by the structured arrangement of the magnetic particles; and detaching the biomolecules from the magnetic particles.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising operating the device according to claim 1 to carry out the method.

15. An apparatus for the automated processing of biomolecules comprising: a device according to claim 1.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the biomolecules are capable of being reversibly immobilized.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bonding includes reversibly bonding the biomolecules to the magnetic particles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules with a multiwell plate and a magnetically conductive module;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of various shapes of the magnet and the magnetically conductive module;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a magnet with a magnetically conductive module in crown shape;

[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the state of the art in comparison to the invention in view from above, as well as embodiments of the invention in side view; and

[0061] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a ring magnet with a magnetically conductive module as magnetically amplifying module and diamagnetic module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 a for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules with a multiwell plate 51 and a magnetically conductive module 2. In the device 1 shown, the arrangement of the magnet 3 is configured with a magnetically conductive module 2. The magnetically conductive module 2 is arranged as an attachment on magnet 3 in such a way that it is located between magnet 3 and wells 50 of the multiwell plate 51.

[0063] Due to the arrangement of the magnet 3 with the magnetically conductive module 2 described above, the magnetic particles 4 arrange themselves in a structured manner in the container. In the operating state, after immobilization of the biomolecules on the surface of the magnetic particles, a liquid can be removed with an instrument for removing a liquid (not shown here) and the liquid can simply flow off between the structurally arranged magnetic particles.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of various shapes of the magnet 3 and the magnetically conductive module 2. The magnet 3 can be designed as a crown-shaped magnet 201, as a wave-shaped magnet 202 and as a notched magnet 203, for example. Of course, the magnetically conductive module can also be crown-shaped, wave-shaped or with a notch. Due to the crown shape, the magnetic particles arrange themselves in several isolated islands. The number of islands of magnetic particles corresponds to the number of teeth of the crown. The magnetic particles would also arrange themselves in the same way in the wave shape. With a notch, however, the magnetic particles arrange themselves in two isolated islands.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device 1 for the reversible immobilization of biomolecules. A container 5 is shown in which a liquid 6 with biomolecules is filled.

[0066] In the operating state, the biomolecules would be immobilized on the surface of the magnetic particles (not shown here). Subsequently, the liquid 6 would be removed from the container.

[0067] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows that a magnet 3 with a magnetically conductive module 2 can be arranged on the container. Here, the magnetically conductive module 2 is designed as a crown-shaped attachment. Alternatively, a crown-shaped magnet 201 can be arranged on the container. Both arrangements shown have a shape which is adapted to the shape of the container 5 so that the container can be partially inserted into the magnet or into the magnetically conductive module.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a magnet with a magnetically conductive module 2 in crown shape. Here, the magnetically conductive module 2 is designed as an attachment for the magnet 3. The magnetically conductive module 2 has a hole 20 into which a container can be inserted for fastening.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the state of the art A in comparison to the invention B in view from above at the container 5, as well as embodiments of the invention C in side view of the container 5.

[0070] In the state of the art A, the magnetic particles 4 arrange themselves in a ring at the edge of the container 5 by the homogeneous magnetic field of the magnet. The liquid remains on this ring during removal, as it cannot flow off.

[0071] In the invention B, the magnetic particles 4 arrange themselves in a structured manner on the container wall by the inhomogeneous magnetic field of the magnet. By arranging the magnetic particles 4 in several isolated islands as shown here, the liquid can easily flow off between the magnetic particles 4.

[0072] In part C of FIG. 5, three embodiments of possible arrangements of the magnetic particles 4 in an inhomogeneous magnetic field according to the invention on the container wall of the container 5 are shown. An arrangement in several roundish islands is shown, as well as a groove-shaped and a pyramidal arrangement of the magnetic particles 4 are shown. All these arrangements are only exemplary and not restrictive. Only diverse possibilities are to be pointed out. In an inhomogeneous magnetic field according to the invention, magnetic particles can of course arrange themselves in any suitable structure, which allows a simplified flow-off of the liquid.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a ring magnet 3 with magnetically conductive module 2 as magnetically amplifying module and diamagnetic module.

[0074] In part A of FIG. 6, the magnetically conductive module 2 is a magnetically amplifying module. The magnetically amplifying module is configured as an insertion for a ring magnet 3 and is arranged between the ring magnet 3 and the container 5. Due to the magnetically amplifying module, the magnetic field of the ring magnet 3 is amplified more in areas without gap 23 and thus becomes inhomogeneous. The magnetic particles 5 thus arrange themselves structured on the wall of the container 5 between the gaps 23.

[0075] In part B of FIG. 6, the magnetically conductive module 2 is a diamagnetic module. The diamagnetic module is configured as an insertion for a ring magnet 3 and is arranged between the ring magnet 3 and the container 5. Due to the diamagnetic module, the magnetic field of the ring magnet 3 is attenuated more strongly in areas without gap 23 and thus becomes inhomogeneous. The magnetic particles 5 thus arrange themselves structured on the wall of the container 5 in the gaps 23.