Magnetic base for collection and release of paramagnetic particles

1. A magnetic box for a sample handling plate of a sample processing system, the magnetic box comprising:

a) a top surface comprising a reagent plate mounting component;

b) a bottom surface comprising a magnet management component comprising a plurality of sawtooth shaped ridges on the bottom of said top surface, wherein said top surface and said bottom surface partially define a magnet mounting cavity; and

c) a lower magnet disposed in said magnet mounting cavity, wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges are configured to secure said lower magnet.

2. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said box further comprises a base and/or lid.

3. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges have a depth of at least half a length or thickness of the lower magnet.

4. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges are on a replaceable strip.

5. The magnetic box of claim 3 , wherein said replaceable strip is integrated into a lid of said box comprising said top surface.

6. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges comprise one or more ramped edges.

7. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges comprise a pocket.

8. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges comprise one or more square edges.

9. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said box further comprise a ramp on said bottom surface.

10. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein the height of said lower magnet is less than or greater than the width of said lower magnet.

11. The magnetic box of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic box comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a transparent plastic, a translucent plastic, ceramic, and a non metallic metal.

12. A system, comprising:

a) the magnetic box of claim 1 ; and

b) a magnetic head comprising an upper magnet.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein said system further comprises one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of a sample handling plate comprising a plurality of sample compartments, wherein said sample handling plate is in operable communication with said magnetic box, magnetic beads, a drive system configured to move said magnetic head, a sample handling plate cover configured to cover said sample handling plate, and a control component.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges are vertically or are not vertically oriented with sample compartments of said sample handling plate.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein said sample handling plate is a multi-well plate.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein said sample handling plate is not in fluid communication with said magnetic box.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein said upper magnet and said lower magnet are in magnetic communication with said sample handling plate.

18. A method of processing a sample, comprising:

a) contacting a sample and a plurality of magnetic particles with a first sample compartment a system, comprising i) a magnetic box comprising: a top surface comprising a reagent plate mounting component a bottom surface comprising a magnet management component comprising a plurality of sawtooth shaped ridges on the bottom of said top surface, wherein said sawtooth shaped ridges are configured to secure said lower magnet, and wherein said top surface and said bottom surface partially define a magnet mounting cavity; and a lower magnet disposed in said magnet mounting cavity; ii) a magnetic head comprising an upper magnet and iii) a sample handling plate comprising two or more sample compartments;

b) moving said upper magnet to a second sample compartment under conditions such that said lower magnet is vertically aligned with said upper magnet and wherein said magnetic management component secures said lower magnet in said second sample compartment;

c) returning said top magnet to said first sample compartment;

d) lowering said top magnet such that said magnetic particles are magnetically contacted with said top magnet; and

e) moving said top magnet and said magnetic particles to said second sample compartment.