Expedited PCR with stirring
Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for rapid amplification of nucleic acids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for mixing a reaction solution during amplification of nucleic acids and to methods for amplifying nucleic acids. Also disclosed are methods for lysing cells in a sample and amplifying nucleic acids.
1. An apparatus for conducting amplification of a nucleic acid comprising:
a bit, wherein the bit is coupled to a system configured to apply rotational force to the bit;
a magnetic element that applies a magnetic field to the bit such that the bit is configured to capture one or more paramagnetic particles;
a reaction vessel comprising at least one reagent for amplifying a nucleic acid; and
a measurement system configured to analyze a parameter of the reaction vessel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the measurement system comprises a light emitting diode.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the measurement system comprises a detector for monitoring the amplification.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parameter is fluorescence.
5. A method of amplifying a nucleic acid in a sample, the method comprising:
providing a reaction vessel comprising a nucleic acid and at least one reagent for amplifying the nucleic acid;
inserting a portion of a bit into the reaction vessel, wherein the bit is coupled to a system configured to apply rotational force to the bit;
applying a magnetic field to the bit such that the bit is configured to capture one or more paramagnetic particles; and
activating the system to rotate the bit for a sufficient time to amplify the nucleic acid.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the bit is rotated at a speed ranging from about 500 rpm to about 7,000 rpm.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising monitoring the amplification.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the monitoring comprises optical detection.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a saliva sample, a blood sample, a serum sample, a plasma sample and a cheek swab.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial sample, a viral sample, a fungal sample, a plant sample, and an animal sample.
11. A method for lysing a cell sample and amplifying a nucleic acid, the method comprising:
transferring a sample comprising a cell to a cuvette, wherein the cuvette comprises a lysis buffer;
providing a plurality of paramagnetic particles to the cuvette, wherein the plurality of paramagnetic particles comprises a coating for capturing a nucleic acid in the sample;
inserting a portion of a bit into the lysis buffer, wherein the bit is coupled to a system configured to apply rotational force to the bit and coupled to a magnetic element configured to apply a magnetic field to the bit;
activating the magnetic element to apply the magnet field, resulting in the plurality of paramagnetic particles to contact the bit;
transferring the plurality of magnetic particles to a reaction buffer;
deactivating the magnetic element to release the plurality of paramagnetic particles from the bit; and
activating the system to apply rotational force to the bit for a sufficient time to amplify the nucleic acid.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reaction buffer comprises a reagent for amplification of a nucleic acid.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the bit is rotated at a speed ranging from about 500 rpm to about 7,000 rpm.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising monitoring the amplification.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the monitoring comprises optical detection.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cell sample is selected from the group consisting of a saliva sample, a blood sample, a serum sample, a plasma sample and a cheek swab.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cell sample is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial sample, a viral sample, a fungal sample, a plant sample, and an animal sample.