Author :
Meldrum, Deirdre R. ; Evensen, Harold T. ; Pence, William H. ; Moody, Stephen E. ; Cunningham, David L. ; Wiktor, Peter J.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Washington Univ., Seattle, WA, USA
Abstract :
An automated biomechatronic submicroliter fluid handling system for processing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been developed in the Genomation Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle. This first generation system, ACAPELLA-1K, can process 1000 samples in 8 h in preparation for DNA sequencing using sample volumes ten times smaller than current state-of-the art manual and automated instrumentation. The system is based upon a proof-of-concept system that was developed by the Genomation Laboratory. The ACAPELLA-1K is the first integration of modules for fluid aspiration, dispensing, mixing, transport, and thermal processing that have been designed and developed with corporate partners Orca Photonic Systems, Inc., Redmond, WA, and Engineering Arts, Mercer Island, WA. These modules, comprising piezoceramic actuators, pneumatic pumps, linear mechanisms, thermal controllers, optical sensors, electronics, computer control, and software, are described in detail. Processing statistics are presented and successful experimental results are presented
Keywords :
CCD image sensors; DNA; biological specimen preparation; computerised instrumentation; genetics; materials handling; mechatronics; microfluidics; piezoelectric actuators; ACAPELLA-1K; DNA sequencing; biomechatronic fluid handling system; deoxyribonucleic acid; dispensing; fluid aspiration; genome analysis; linear mechanisms; mixing; piezoceramic actuators; pneumatic pumps; thermal controllers; thermal processing; Art; Bioinformatics; Biomechatronics; Control systems; DNA; Genomics; Instruments; Laboratories; Optical control; Thermal engineering;
