Biochemical analysis instrument
An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument.
1. A module for performing biochemical analysis, the module comprising:
a sensor device that is capable of supporting plural nanopores and being operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample using the nanopores;
a container comprising the sample;
a first reservoir for holding material for performing the biochemical analysis;
a second reservoir for holding an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules;
a third reservoir for holding an aqueous solution containing nanopores; and
a fluidics system configured to controllably supply the sample from the container, and material from the first reservoir, and the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules from the second reservoir, and the aqueous solution containing the nanopores from the third reservoir, to the sensor device;
wherein the module mounts a waste reservoir for disposal of waste products from the sensor device;
wherein the fluidics system is further configured to flush the sample, the material, the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules, and the aqueous solution containing the nanopores from the sensor device to the waste reservoir.
2. The module of claim 1 , further comprising an electronics unit, wherein the module is removably attachable to the electronics unit.
3. The module of claim 2 , wherein the sensor device comprises an electrode arrangement across each nanopore.
4. The module of claim 3 , wherein the electronics unit contains a drive circuit and a signal processing circuit arranged to be connected to the electrode arrangement across each nanopore, and wherein when the module is attached to the electronics unit, the drive circuit is configured to generate drive signals for performing the biochemical analysis and the signal processing circuit is arranged to generate output data representing results of the biochemical analysis from electrical signals generated from the electrode arrangement across each nanopore.
5. The module of claim 1 , further comprising an output pump connected to the waste reservoir for disposal of fluids.
6. A method for preparation of sequencing samples, the method comprising:
providing the module of claim 1 ;
controlling the fluidics system to supply the material from a reservoir to the sensor device; and
controlling the fluidics system to supply the sample from the container to the sensor device.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein controlling the fluidics system to supply the material from a reservoir to the sensor device comprises:
controlling the fluidics system to draw the material from the first reservoir;
controlling the fluidics system to dispense the material within the sensor device;
controlling the fluidics system to draw the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules from the second reservoir;
controlling the fluidics system to dispense the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules within the sensor device;
controlling the fluidics system to draw the aqueous solution containing nanopores from the third reservoir; and
controlling the fluidics system to dispense the aqueous solution containing nanopores within the sensor device.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein controlling the fluidics system to supply the sample from the container comprises:
selecting the sample container from a plurality of sample containers;
positioning a fluidics system component at a port corresponding to the sample container; and
operating a pump to draw the sample from the sample container.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein positioning a fluidics system component comprises rotating a rotor such that a passage of the rotor is aligned with the port corresponding to the sample container.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising controlling the fluidics system to flush the material, the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules, the aqueous solution containing the nanopores and the sample from the sensor device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein controlling the fluidics system to flush comprises controlling the fluidics system to draw the material, aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules, and the sample from the sensor device and controlling the fluidics system to dispense the material, aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules, and the sample within the waste reservoir.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, before controlling the fluidics system to dispense the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules, controlling the fluidics system to supply a gas flow to the sensor device.
13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, prior to controlling the fluidics system to dispense the aqueous solution containing nanopores, controlling the sensor device to apply an electric potential to electrodes within the sensor device, measure electrical signals within the device and determine a presence of an amphiphilic membrane based on the measured electrical signals.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising, when it is determined an amphiphilic membrane has not formed:
controlling the fluidics system to draw the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules from the second reservoir; and
controlling the fluidics system to dispense the aqueous solution containing amphiphilic molecules within the sensor device.
15. The method of claim 6 , wherein the controlling of the fluidics system is automated and is performed by a control module of a computer.
16. A method for preparation of sequencing samples, the method comprising:
providing the module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises an amphiphilic layer containing one or more nanopores;
controlling, using a computer control module, the fluidics system to supply the sample from the container to the sensor device.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the controlling, using the computer control module, is automated.