Magnetic enrichment method, a reactor unit for micro particles and a magnet unit

1. A magnetic enrichment method comprising:

(a) placing micro particles ( 22 ) that bind to a biological component, into a solution ( 23 ) comprising the biological component, in a reactor vessel ( 26 );

(b) allowing the micro particles ( 22 ) to bind to the biological component in the solution ( 23 ) in a closed reactor unit ( 60 ) under controlled conditions, wherein the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) comprises a magnetic unit ( 10 ) comprising at least one magnet ( 13 ), a ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ), and the reactor vessel ( 26 ), wherein conditions in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) are controllable and

wherein the at least one magnet ( 13 ) and the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) can each be moved in relation to each other in order to adjust the magnetic field strength of the at least one magnet;

(c) using the magnetic unit ( 10 ) to collect the biological component bound to the micro articles ( 22 ) in the solution ( 23 ) in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ); and

(d) enriching the biological component by releasing the component into another solution,

wherein the micro particles are magnetic.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein enriching the biological component comprises:

opening the closed reactor unit ( 60 );

removing the collected micro particles ( 22 ) from the reactor vessel ( 26 ) with the magnet unit ( 10 ); and

releasing the collected micro particles ( 22 ) into a solution of another vessel.

3. A method for magnetic binding of a biological component, comprising:

(a) in a reactor vessel ( 26 ), placing micro particles ( 22 ) having an enzymatic activity and/or binding properties into a solution ( 23 ) comprising a biological component;

(b) mixing the micro particles ( 22 ) in the solution ( 23 ) in a closed reactor unit ( 60 ), wherein the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) comprises a magnetic unit ( 10 ) comprising at least one magnet ( 13 ), a ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) and the reactor vessel ( 26 ) and

wherein the at least one magnet ( 13 ) and the ferromagnetic tube ( 12 ) can each be moved in relation to each other in order to adjust the magnetic field strength of the at least one magnet;

(c) carrying out a binding reaction in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ), thereby binding the biological component to the micro particles;

(d) using the magnet unit ( 10 ) to collect the micro particles ( 22 ) from the solution ( 23 );

(e) opening the closed reactor unit ( 60 );

(f) removing the micro particles ( 22 ) from the reactor vessel ( 26 ) with the magnet unit ( 10 ); and

(g) transferring the micro particles ( 22 ) into a solution in another vessel,

wherein the micro particles are magnetic.

4. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the micro particles ( 22 ) in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) form a thin layer over the magnet unit ( 10 ); over a protective membrane ( 21 ) of the magnet unit ( 10 ); or on the inner surface of the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) by a magnet ( 13 ) placed outside the closed reactor unit ( 60 ).

5. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) comprises channels ( 62 ) for rotating solution ( 23 ) in and out of the reactor unit ( 60 ); for adding sample into or removing sample from the closed reactor unit ( 60 ); for controlling gases or liquid added into the closed reactor unit ( 60 ), controlling pH value in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) and controlling salt content in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ); or for filtering gases or liquid added into the closed reactor unit ( 60 ).

6. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein several closed reactor units ( 60 ) are placed in an environmental cabinet ( 70 ), wherein the environmental cabinet controls the temperatures of the closed reactor units ( 60 ), rotation speeds of the magnets ( 13 ), gas exchange, sampling and additions of samples or solutions ( 23 ) into the closed reactor units ( 60 ).

7. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the magnet unit ( 10 ) of the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) is released from the reactor vessel ( 26 ), and the micro particles ( 22 ) and biological components bound to micro particles ( 22 ) are washed and enriched in separate vessels from the reactor vessel ( 26 ).

8. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the solution ( 23 ) and the micro particles ( 22 ) in the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) are mixed by movement of projections or depressions inside the outer surface of the reactor vessel ( 26 ).

9. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein efficient movement of the solution ( 23 ) inside the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) is provided by directing the solution ( 23 ) between the micro particles ( 22 ); by directing the solution ( 23 ) as a flow passing the magnet unit ( 10 ); by moving the magnet unit ( 10 ) in relation to the walls of the reactor vessel ( 26 ) to mix the solution ( 23 ); by moving the walls of the reactor vessel ( 26 ) in relation to the magnet unit ( 10 ) to mix the solution ( 23 ); or by pumping the solution ( 23 ) inside the closed reactor unit ( 60 ).

10. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the solution ( 23 ) is directed to pass a narrowing ( 73 ) between the reactor vessel ( 26 ) and the magnet unit ( 10 ), in the middle of the closed reactor unit ( 60 ), by rotating the closed reactor unit ( 60 ) around its longitudinal axis or by rocking the closed reactor unit ( 60 ).

11. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the solution ( 23 ) is mixed by movement of a flexible element ( 75 ) in the magnet unit ( 10 ).

12. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the reactor vessel ( 26 ) comprises a stretchy material, and wherein the solution ( 23 ) is mixed by pushing the bottom of the reactor vessel ( 26 ) downwards.

13. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein any of the following are bound to the surface of the micro particle ( 22 ): protein, antibody, peptide, enzyme, Protein A, Protein G, avidin, streptavidin, biotin, Cibacron blue, proteamine, pepstatin, PEG, lysine, BSA, NTA, EDTA, IDA, polysaccharide, lectin, one- or two-stranded nucleotide sequence, DNA, RNA, mRNA, LNA, PNA, bacteria, virus, yeast or cell.

14. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the micro particles ( 22 ) bound to the biological component, are further used to carry out chromatographic purification.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein chromatographic purification is selected from the group consisting of ion exchange chromatography, reverse phase chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography and affinity chromatography.

16. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the micro particles ( 22 ) bound to the biological component, are further used to isolate or enrich biological components selected from the group consisting of: pathological bacteria, viruses, parasites, or protozoans.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pathological bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli O157 and Clostridium.

18. The method according to claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the micro particles ( 22 ) bound to the biological component, are further used to purify a biological component selected from the group consisting of: DNA, RNA, mRNA, proteins, peptides, cells or cell organelles.

19. The method of claim 1 or claim 3 , wherein the magnetizing axis of the at least one magnet is transverse in relation to the longitudinal axis of the ferromagnetic tube.