Sonication to selectively lyse different cell types
View Patent ↗A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.
1. An apparatus to selectively lyse a specific type of cell, the apparatus comprising:
a. a sonication chamber to receive a sample and to provide a first sonication energy, the sample having at least two different cell types, wherein a first cell type is lysed at the first sonication energy, further wherein the sonication chamber is configured to selectively lyse the first cell type, thereby forming a first lysate, while leaving one or more non-lysed cell types within a remaining sample;
b. separating means to separate the first lysate from the sample;
c. a collection vessel to collect the first lysate; and
d. microfluidic circuitry to couple the sonication chamber, the separating means, and the collection vessel, wherein the microfluidic circuitry is configured to enable back-flow capability for moving the remaining sample including the one or more non-lysed cell types from the separating means to the sonication chamber, further wherein the sonication chamber is configured to lyse a second cell type within the remaining sample.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cell type comprises an epithelial cell.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cell type comprises a virus, a microbe, or a spore.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the separating means passes the first lysate and blocks the remaining sample.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second cell type is lysed at a second sonication energy.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the sonication chamber provides the second sonication energy to lyse the second cell type, thereby forming a second lysate.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a purification chip coupled to the sonication chamber to receive the second lysate and collect a DNA from the second lysate.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus is automated.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second cell type comprises a sperm cell.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a purification chip to receive the first lysate and collect a DNA from the first lysate.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the apparatus is automated.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sample includes N different cell types, each cell type is lysed at a different sonication energy.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sonication chamber is configured to apply N different sonication energies to the corresponding N different cell types.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising N purification chips to receive N lysates from the sonication chamber.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the separating means comprises means for performing centrifugation on the sample to form a sperm cell pellet.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sonication chamber provides a third sonication energy to a sample matrix, thereby releasing the sample from the sample matrix.