Microfluidic Device and Method for Analysing Nucleic Acids

Abstract

A microfluidic device for analysing nucleic acids includes a pump unit with a pumping volume, a filter unit for receiving a lysate, and a reaction chamber. The pump unit, the filter unit and the reaction chamber are arranged in the stated order in a pump direction of the pump unit. The microfluidic device is configured to pump an elution medium via the pump unit into the filter unit for elution and subsequently into the reaction chamber for further treatment.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device for analyzing nucleic acids, comprising: a pump unit having a pump volume; a filter unit configured to receive a lysate; and a reaction chamber, wherein: the pump unit, the filter unit and the reaction chamber are arranged in the order specified in a pump direction of the pump unit, and the microfluidic device is configured to pump an elution medium through the pump unit for elution into the filter unit and subsequently to pump it for further processing into the reaction chamber.

2. The microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a volume of the reaction chamber is at most 20% greater than the pump volume.

3. The microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a first side channel configured to divert a content of the pump unit downstream of the pump unit.

4. The microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second side channel configured to divert a content of the filter unit downstream of the filter unit.

5. The microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a return line arranged parallel to the filter unit.

6. The microfluidic device as claimed in claim 1, furthermore comprising a mixing chamber, which is connected to the filter unit and/or to the reaction chamber.

7. A method for analyzing nucleic acids with a microfluidic device, the method comprising: providing a lysate of a sample; binding the lysate onto a filter material; eluting the lysate by pumping an elution medium through the filter material; and processing nucleic acids extracted in the elution medium by using the elution medium.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: dissolving prestored reagents by the elution medium.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the microfluidic device is at least temporarily oriented in such a way that the reaction chamber is arranged above the filter unit.

Description

[0051] The invention and the technical field will be explained in more detail below with the aid of the figures. The figures show particularly preferred exemplary embodiments, although the invention is not restricted to these. In particular, it is to be pointed out that the figures, and in particular the size proportions represented, are only schematic. Schematically:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a microfluidic device for analyzing nucleic acids in a first embodiment,

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a microfluidic device for analyzing nucleic acids in a second embodiment,

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a microfluidic device for analyzing nucleic acids in a third embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a microfluidic device 1 for analyzing nucleic acids. The microfluidic device 1 comprises a storage container 2, a pump unit 3 having a pump direction 20, a filter unit 5 for receiving a lysate and a reaction chamber 6, which are arranged in the order indicated in a pump direction of the pump unit 3. In the representation of FIG. 1, the pump unit points from left to right, which is indicated by an arrow in the pump unit 3. The filter unit 5 comprises a filter material 19. The pump unit 3 has a pump volume 4. The microfluidic device 1 is configured in order to pump an elution medium from the storage container 2 through the pump unit 3 for elution into the filter unit 5 and subsequently to pump it for further processing into the reaction chamber 6. Furthermore indicated are a first valve 11 and a second valve 12.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a microfluidic device 1, which represents a development of the first embodiment. The elements not described below are identical to those from the first embodiment. Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment additionally comprises a first side channel 7, which branches off between the pump unit 3 and the first valve 11 from a connecting line between the pump unit 3 and the filter unit 5. The first side channel 7 comprises a third valve 13. The first side channel 7 leads out of the microfluidic device 1, which is indicated by an arrow. Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment furthermore additionally comprises a second side channel 8, which branches off between the filter unit 5 and a fifth valve 15 from a connecting line between the filter unit 5 and the reaction chamber 6. The second side channel 8 comprises a fourth valve 14. The second side channel 8 leads out of the microfluidic device 1, which is indicated by an arrow.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a microfluidic device 1, which represents a development of the first embodiment. The elements not described below are identical to those from the first embodiment. Besides the reaction chamber 6, the microfluidic device 1 comprises a mixing chamber 10. The mixing chamber 10 may be used in order to mix an elution medium with reagents in a manner spatially separated from the reaction chamber 6. While the reaction chamber 6 is connected to the filter unit 5 by means of the fifth valve 15, the mixing chamber 10 is connected to the filter unit 5 by means of a sixth valve 16 and a seventh valve 17. At a position between the sixth valve 16 and the seventh valve 17, a return line 9 branches off, which return line opens at a position between the pump unit 3 and the second valve 12 into a connecting line between the pump unit 3 and the filter unit 5. The return line 9 is arranged parallel to the filter unit 5 and makes it possible to convey an elution medium repeatedly through the filter unit. The return line comprises an eighth valve 18.