Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Processes and products – Electrophoresis or electro-osmosis processes and electrolyte...
Utility Patent
1999-04-30
2001-01-02
Warden, Jill (Department: 1743)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Processes and products
Electrophoresis or electro-osmosis processes and electrolyte...
C204S466000, C204S467000, C204S606000, C436S172000, C436S174000, C422S067000
Utility Patent
active
06168701
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The loading of samples into analytical instruments presents numerous opportunities for making errors. This problem is particularly acute in apparatus designed to simultaneously receive and analyze multiple samples. There is a significant chance of loading samples into the wrong loading port of an apparatus having multiple loading ports, thus resulting in the unwanted mixing of samples or the misidentification of samples. It is of particular interest to reduce the loading error associated with electrophoresis apparatus. Many electrophoresis devices have multiple loading ports for introducing sample into an instrument, e.g., loading wells, that are in close proximity to one another and also similar in appearance. Loading errors are common problems in manually loaded electrophoresis apparatus and similar devices. Thus, it is of interest to provide methods for reducing loading errors in analytical instruments, particularly electrophoresis devices.
In order to solve the aforementioned loading problems, the inventors have provided improved methods and compositions for loading analytical apparatus in which signals are produced upon misleading. Furthermore, the invention may be readily adapted to use in many different types of apparatus. The invention also includes methods of identifying regions, e.g., lanes or channels, of electrophoresis apparatus (or similar apparatus) that may be combined with the subject methods and reagents for improving the loading of apparatus.
SUMMARY
The invention relates to improved methods and compositions for loading samples into an analytical instrument having a plurality of sample receiving loading ports. In a principle embodiment of the invention, first and second sample markers are added to sample to be loaded onto an analytical instrument having a plurality of sample receiving loading ports. The first and second samples are compounds are selected so as to produce a distinctive signal upon combination. Thus a sample containing a first sample marker and a sample containing a second marker that are mistakenly loaded into the same sample receiving loading port would produce a detectable signal indicative of the misleading.
One embodiment of the invention is a method of loading an analytical instrument having a plurality of sample receiving ports. A slab gel electrophoresis apparatus for DNA fragment length analysis is an example of such a device. A first sample comprising a first substance for analysis and a first sample marker is loaded onto a first sample loading port. A second sample comprising a second substance for analysis and a second sample marker is added to a second sample loading port. As previously noted, the first and second samples markers produce a detectable signal if they contact one another. Thus the apparatus may be inspected for the presence of the detectable signal.
Other embodiments of the subject invention are reagent sets for use in loading analytical instruments having plurality of sample loading ports. The reagents in the subject reagent sets are for addition to samples for loading into the loading ports of an analytical instrument having a plurality of loading ports. The subject reagent sets include a first sample addition reagent and a second sample addition reagent. The first reagent comprises a first sample marker and a first channel indicator. The second sample addition reagent sets also includes a second sample marker and a second channel indicator. The first and second sample markers are selected so as to produce a detectable signal if they contact one another. The first and second channel indicators are indicator markers that serve to distinguish one channel from another. The first and second channel indicators may be distinguishable from one another. In embodiments of the subject reagent sets for use with analytical instruments that are electrophoresis separation devices, the first and second channel indicators migrate in the separatory electric field of the instrument. In embodiments of the subject reagent for use with fluorescence detection electrophoresis systems.
REFERENCES:
patent: WO 00/40959 (2000-07-01), None
Chen Shiaw-Min
Heiner Cheryl R.
Lowe Adam L.
Bortner Scott R.
Starsiak. Jr. John S
The Perkins-Elmer Corporation
Warden Jill
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