Gas: heating and illuminating
Patent
1995-02-28
1997-12-09
Chin, Christopher L.
Gas: heating and illuminating
4352865, 4352879, 4352885, 422 50, 422 58, 422 681, 422 8213, 422 95, 422 97, 422 99, 422104, 422106, 422109, 422110, G01N 2100, G01N 3122, B01L 900, G05D 700
Patent
active
056959427
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing biological materials utilizing ligand pairing and relates more particularly to the field of microscopical analysis where one member of a ligand pair is to be detected in a biological sample mounted on a support substrate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To examine the structure of biological samples such as tissues (histology) or cells (cytology), microscopical preparations are made by mounting the sample on a substrate such as a microscope slide. These preparations are routinely stained with dyes to facilitate microscopical examination. To further aid in the identification of the samples, specialized procedures under the general headings of histochemistry (tissue slices) and cytochemistry (biological cell smears) are applied to these preparations. One class of procedures for processing biological materials involves ligand-pair formation wherein a first member of the ligand pair may be present in the biological sample and the other member of the pair binds to the first member when contacted with the sample. Examples of such biologically based ligand-pairs include antibody/antigen couples, lectins/sugars, hormone/receptor systems, enzyme/substrates, DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA couples.
Processing of biological materials involving the antibody/antigen couple forms the basis of immunohisto- and immunocytochemistry. Until recently the staining of mounted samples using these reactions has been performed manually. Present machines currently known for immuno-staining of samples dispense the antibody containing solutions in liquid form into the fluid well containing the supported sample. These machines require considerable operator attention which entails high labour costs and are prone to suffer from operator error at the stages of dilution, pipetting and loading of reagents. Furthermore, in many circumstances it may be desirable to detect different antigens on an ad hoc basis but the primary antibodies are expensive and prone to deterioration. In addition, the difficulties of working with a large number of small volumes used for a multitude of different tests has acted as a bar to the development of an optimally automated immunocytochemistry staining system.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a process and apparatus for automated processing of biological materials involving ligand pair formation which avoids the need to prepare antisera immediately prior to use and which does not require accurate positioning and alignment of the sample substrates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for processing biological materials using ligand pairing, the biological material being mounted on a surface of a substrate. The apparatus comprises a housing provided with at least one cell comprising a first cell portion defining a first chamber having opposed chamber walls. The first chamber is dimensioned to receive the substrate between the opposed chamber walls with the surface of the substrate being adjacent to and spaced from one of the opposed chamber walls a sufficient distance to prevent capillary action from retaining a liquid therebetween. A second cell portion is provided which defines a second chamber adapted to receive a ligand. The second chamber is in fluid flow communication with the first chamber. The apparatus includes reagent supply means for supplying reagent solutions to the first chamber and drainage means for draining said reagent solutions from said first chamber.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for releasing a ligand onto a biological sample mounted on a substrate. The process comprises the steps of containing the ligand in a releasable containment means. The releasable containment means is held in a chamber in flow communication with the biological sample. The releasable containment means is disintegratable if heated to within a predetermined temperature range thereby to release the ligand The process includes heating the releasable containment means
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Farmilo A. James
Stead Ronald H.
Chin Christopher L.
Histaggen Incorporated
Nguyen Bao-Thuy L.
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