Methods and apparatuses for gene purification and imaging

1. A method for purifying a hybridized target molecule sample and imaging the hybridized target molecule, comprising:

providing

a cartridge configured for purifying a hybridized target molecule sample and imaging a hybridized target molecule, comprising:

a sample input area configured to hold a target molecule sample, the sample comprising:

a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with a first probe and a second probe,

a plurality of non-hybridized first probes, and

a plurality of non-hybridized second probes;

a first binding chamber configured to receive or contain a first affinity matrix and to receive the sample, wherein:

the first affinity matrix is functionalized with first molecules configured to bind with the non-hybridized first probes and hybridized complexes of the sample during a first period of time;

the first binding chamber is additionally configured to receive a first buffer to remove non-hybridized second probes from the sample after the non-hybridized first probes and hybridized complexes of the sample bind with the first affinity matrix;

a first elution channel attached to the first binding chamber and a means for heating, and

which is configured to receive the first affinity matrix after the first period of time and configured for heating the first affinity matrix to elute a first eluted sample comprising the plurality of hybridized complexes and plurality of non-hybridized first probes;

a second binding chamber configured to receive or contain a second affinity matrix and to receive the first eluted sample, wherein:

the second affinity matrix is functionalized with second molecules configured to bind with the hybridized complexes during a second period of time;

the second binding chamber is additionally configured to receive a second buffer to remove at least non-hybridized first probes;

a second elution channel attached to the second binding chamber and a means for heating, and which is configured to receive the second affinity matrix after the second period of time and configured for heating the second affinity matrix to elute a second eluted sample comprising the plurality of hybridized complexes; and

a binding area having an active binding surface configured to receive the second eluted sample and bind with the hybridized complexes;

receiving a hybridized sample, the sample comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising target molecules hybridized with first probes and second probes, a plurality of non-hybridized first probes, and a plurality of non-hybridized second probes;

binding the non-hybridized first probes and hybridized complexes of the sample to the first affinity matrix in the first binding chamber during a first period of time;

flowing a first buffer into the first binding chamber to remove non-hybridized second probes from the sample after the non-hybridized first probes and hybridized complexes of the sample bind with the first affinity matrix, and wherein the first buffer is pumped to move through the first binding chamber in a first direction and a second direction;

directing the first affinity matrix into a first elution channel;

heating the first affinity matrix to elute a first eluted sample comprising the plurality of hybridized complexes and plurality of non-hybridized first probes;

binding the hybridized complexes of the first eluted sample to the second affinity matrix in the second binding chamber during a second period of time;

flowing a second buffer into the second binding chamber to remove the non-hybridized first probes from the first eluted sample after the hybridized complexes bind with the second affinity matrix;

heating the second affinity matrix to elute a second eluted sample comprising the plurality of hybridized complexes; and

binding the hybridized complexes to an active binding surface for imaging thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target molecule is one of a nucleic acid or a protein.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first affinity matrix and the second affinity matrix correspond to a first set of magnetic beads and a second set of magnetic beads, respectively.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active binding surface comprises one of streptavidin, an avidin, and oligonucleotides.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first probes include reporter probes.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second probes include capture probes.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first magnetic beads include F magnetic beads.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second magnetic beads include G magnetic beads.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first binding chamber is an F binding chamber.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first period of time is a period of about 8 minutes.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic beads are heated to about 47° C. for about 7 minutes.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second binding chamber is a G binding chamber.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second buffer is F-elution fluid.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second period of time is a period of about 7 minutes.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second buffer is added to the second binding chamber in increments of 2 μL forward and 1 μL backward.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second buffer is added in increments of about +2.8 μL, +2 μL, −1 μL, +2 μL, −1 μL, +1.5 μL, and 7 μL.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic beads are heated to about 47° C. for about 7 minutes.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

moving a quantity of the first eluted sample across an affinity matrix pad in a first direction and a second direction.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first buffer is added in increments of approximately +15 μL, and −15 μL.