Abstract
A reaction cell for an automated peptide synthesizer consists of a body having adjacent first and second reaction wells for simultaneous reactions. The first reaction well is in fluid communication with the second reaction well for reagent pre-activation simultaneously with an amino acid addition for solid state peptide production.
Claims
1. A reaction cell for an automated peptide synthesizer comprising a body defining a first reaction well and an adjacent second reaction well, said first reaction well being in fluid communication with said second well for one way transfer of fluid from said first reaction well to said second reaction well, whereby a first chemical reaction can be carried out in said first reaction well simultaneously with a second chemical reaction in said second reaction well.
2. The reaction cell of claim 1 wherein a transfer line including a check valve in said first reaction well is in fluid communication with said second reaction cell, said check valve preventing fluid communication from said second reaction cell to said first reaction cell.
3. The reaction cell of claim 1 wherein said first reaction well is a pre-activation well and said second reaction well is a peptide synthesis well.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the reaction cell of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the interior of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the reaction cell of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the reaction cell of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of the reaction cell of FIG. 1 taken through line A-A of FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view taken through line E-E of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a reaction cell shown generally as 10 comprising a body 12 having opposed sidewalls 14 and 15, end walls 16, 17, 18, and 19 and inner common wall 20 which define a pre-activation well 22 and a reaction well 24 containing a solid support for solid state peptide synthesis (FIG. 4). The inner common well 22 and side wall 15 are provided with extensions 26 and 28 and a transverse member 30 extends from the end wall 18 and between the extensions 26 and 28. Ports 32 are provided for a discharge line 34 and a discharge line connector body 36 for discharge of spent reagent from the well 24. The inner common wall 20 defines a valve body 38 for a one way spring loaded valve (FIG. 4). The wells 22 and 24 are closed by a lid 42 having ports 44 for introduction of reagents to the wells. Well 22 is the pre-activation well and the well 24 contains the solid support for a solid state peptide reaction. Vertically extending members 46 on the lid 42 serve as grips for handling the lid.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 4 transfer line 48 provides fluid communication between port 50 and port 52 for transfer of pre-activated reagents from well 22 to well 24 for the peptide synthesis. Discharge line 34 extends between port 54 and the discharge line connector 36 for discharge of spent reagents.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 5 more clearly illustrates the discharge line 34 leading to a one way valve 56 comprising a check valve body 60 seated in the valve body 38. The check valve body 60 is loaded by a spring 58 for one way fluid communication between the well 22 and the well 24.
[0014] FIG. 6 most clearly shows the discharge line 34 and the discharge line connector 36 for discharging spent reagent through the port 32 to waste.
[0015] From the foregoing it can be seen that efficiency of peptide synthesizer instrument is improved by the reaction cell of the present invention in which a pre-activation step can be carried out concurrently with the peptide synthesis.
