WO1993025912A2 - Preparation automatique d'acides nucleiques - Google Patents

Preparation automatique d'acides nucleiques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993025912A2
WO1993025912A2 PCT/GB1993/001222 GB9301222W WO9325912A2 WO 1993025912 A2 WO1993025912 A2 WO 1993025912A2 GB 9301222 W GB9301222 W GB 9301222W WO 9325912 A2 WO9325912 A2 WO 9325912A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
assay plate
dna
probe
magnetic
magnetic particles
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1993/001222
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1993025912A3 (fr
Inventor
Trevor Leonard Hawkins
John Edward Sulston
Andrew Robert Watson
Original Assignee
Medical Research Council
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medical Research Council filed Critical Medical Research Council
Priority to AU43439/93A priority Critical patent/AU4343993A/en
Publication of WO1993025912A2 publication Critical patent/WO1993025912A2/fr
Publication of WO1993025912A3 publication Critical patent/WO1993025912A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/0099—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor comprising robots or similar manipulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • B01L7/52—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12Q—MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    • C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
    • C12Q1/68—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving nucleic acids
    • C12Q1/6806—Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/0098—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
    • B01J2219/00497—Features relating to the solid phase supports
    • B01J2219/005—Beads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
    • B01J2219/00718—Type of compounds synthesised
    • B01J2219/0072—Organic compounds
    • B01J2219/00722—Nucleotides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C40—COMBINATORIAL TECHNOLOGY
    • C40B—COMBINATORIAL CHEMISTRY; LIBRARIES, e.g. CHEMICAL LIBRARIES
    • C40B40/00—Libraries per se, e.g. arrays, mixtures
    • C40B40/04—Libraries containing only organic compounds
    • C40B40/06—Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N35/1081—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane
    • G01N35/109—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane with two horizontal degrees of freedom

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the automated preparation of nucleic acids and concerns an automated method of nucleic acid preparation and automated apparatus therefor.
  • M13 phage is used to obtain single stranded DNA for sequencing templates.
  • the traditional methods for M13 DNA purification such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)/phenol procedures (Bankier et al ., [1988], in Wu, R. [ed.]. Methods Enz. 155, 52-93) allow icrogram quantities of template to be produced from millilitre volumes.
  • thermally cycled sequencing procedures utilising Taq polymerase (Craxton, [1991], Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 3., 20-26) only require 200-500ng of template DNA per reaction. Therefore traditional methods produce an excess of template for most purposes, which wastes both time and money.
  • the invention provides apparatus for preparing a DNA sequence of interest from a complex sample comprising use of magnetic particles in an assay plate, said apparatus comprising:
  • means for moving an assay plate in three-dimensional space means for supplying liquids to the assay plate; means for removing liquids from the assay plate; thermal regulation means for controlling the temperature of the assay plate; magnetic separation means for manipulating magnetic particles in the assay plate; and computer control means for controlling and co-ordinating operation of all the above means.
  • the assay plate is of a synthetic plastics material which is suitable for use at temperatures above 50°C, (more preferably at temperatures up to 80°C). It is also preferred that the assay plate comprises a microtitre assay plate, typically with 96 wells.
  • the apparatus of the invention conveniently comprises a robotic head capable of movement in all three dimensions (thus known as an "X, Y, Z robot") with position sensing means, such that the location of the head in three- dimensional space is known relative to a fixed point.
  • a robotic head capable of movement in all three dimensions (thus known as an "X, Y, Z robot") with position sensing means, such that the location of the head in three- dimensional space is known relative to a fixed point.
  • the head is preferably capable of pipetting and dispensing liquids.
  • Convenient pipetting devices are known (e.g. those manufactured by Hook and Tucker) and may be attached to the robot head by tubing.
  • Aspiration means are typically provided b a vacuum pump (such as that available from Charles Austen) connected to the robot head by valves and tubing.
  • a vacuum pump such as that available from Charles Austen
  • liquids are dispensed by a plurality of disposable tips, such as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the apparatus comprises a store of disposable sterile tips ready for use and a receptacle for the collection of used tips.
  • the apparatus should preferably include tip-sensing means such that the number of tips located on the robot head is known, as it is possible that tips may not become properly attached to the head.
  • any magnetic particles to which are attached an appropriate probe are suitable for use with the apparatus defined above, including those already known in the art. However, it is preferred that the particles used are those described in GB 9212164.9 (co-pending International Patent application No. PCT/GB93/ ).
  • the magnetic separation means conveniently comprise two separate workstations.
  • One such workstation may comprise bar magnets of a size and number such that a typical microtitre plate may rest on the magnets such that each row of wells in the plate aligns with a bar magnet.
  • Such a station may be termed the "separation" station, which may be used to separate magnetic particles from mixtures by attracting said particles to the magnets.
  • the other magnetic workstation may comprise bar magnets of a size and number such that two rows of wells may be positioned between each bar magnet, allowing for movement of the plate relative to the magnets, such that the magnets may be situated between different rows of wells on the microtitre plate.
  • This station may be termed the "washing" station.
  • Washing can be effected by adding washing medium to the wells of the microtitre plate and drawing the magnetic particles to one side of the wells. After a suitable period (for example, 5 seconds), the plate is moved relative to the magnets so that the magnet is on the other side of the wells, thereby dragging the magnetic particles through the washing medium.
  • a suitable period for example, 5 seconds
  • the magnetic workstation ⁇ may comprise "dot" magnets instead of bar magnets.
  • dot magnets Preferably an array of dot magnets is employed, each magnet being approximately the diameter of one of the wells of the assay plate.
  • the dot magnets are rare earth magnets and are arrayed in a matrix 8 x 12 (i.e. that of a typical 96 well microtitre plate) having dimensions 130mm x 85mm, the array being such that each magnet is separated from its nearest neighbours by the same spacing as that between adjacent wells of the microtitre plate (typically about 9mm) such that a rare earth dot magnet may be positioned substantially directly beneath each well of the assay plate.
  • the thermal regulation means conveniently comprises three heating blocks each set at a constant desired temperature, with the microtitre plate being transferred from one to another to alter the temperature of the plate.
  • the thermal regulation means conveniently comprises three heating blocks each set at a constant desired temperature, with the microtitre plate being transferred from one to another to alter the temperature of the plate.
  • a single heating block with a controlled variable temperature may be employed.
  • the apparatus includes a static baseplate, upon which various accessories may be located (for example, a store of microtitre plates awaiting processing) .
  • the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled by computer means, typically a personal computer.
  • a computer would control, for example, the movement of the robot head and microtitre plates, the pipetting/dispensing of liquids and the temperature of the thermal regulation means, typically via an RS232 computer interface.
  • the invention provides an automated method of preparing a DNA sequence of interest from a complex sample, comprising: use of automated means for the steps of causing lysis of DNA-containing entities by the action of heat in the presence of a suitable detergent; adding magnetic particles attached to a probe together with hybridisation buffer containing a polymer to cause an increase in the effective nucleic acid concentration; allowing the sequence of interest to hybridise to the complementary probe and then separating the particle/probe complex and any sequences hybridised thereto from the rest of the sample by magnetic attraction.
  • a suitable detergent is SDS.
  • the steps of the method are performed in the wells of a microtitre assay plate.
  • the DNA-containing entities are generally phages, typically M13.
  • a suitable polymer is PEG.
  • the use of a polymer to increase the effective concentration of nucleic acid allows smaller volumes of reagents to be used than previously, which in turn enables the method to be performed in a microtitre plate or tray, similarly, the method is particularly simple and efficient as it employs a target sequence-specific purification step.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows the base sequence of a suitable probe which may be used in the method of the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a photograph of gel electrophoresis which may be performed on DNA prepared using the method of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a portion of a sequencing trace which may be obtained using DNA prepared using the method of the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of automated apparatus in accordance with the invention, suitable for performing the DNA preparation method of the invention.
  • the apparatus includes a number of standard, commercially available components, which, in the interests of clarity, are not shown in the figure.
  • the illustrated apparatus comprises an X-Y-z robot 10, e.g. as produced by Burger Lahr, Aerotech or Linear Technology.
  • Robot 10 comprises a base plate (not shown) supporting a rectilinear framework, including rails 12, 14 and 16, 18 extending in the 'X' direction and rails 20 and 22, 24 extending in the ⁇ 1 direction.
  • Rails 22, 24 are mounted on rails 12, 14 and 16, 18 via respective support blocks 26 and 28, permitting sliding movement of the Y rails in the X direction under the action of drive means 29.
  • a support block 30 is carried on rails 22, 24, arranged for sliding movement thereon in the Y direction under the action of drive means 31.
  • Block 30 has fixed thereto a further support block 32, through which extend a pair of rails 34, 36 arranged for movement relative to block 32 in the Z direction under the action of drive means 37.
  • a robot head 38 is carried at the lower end of rails 34, 36. Robot head 38 is movable relative to the base plate in 3 dimensional space under the control of computer control means (not shown) acting to cause appropriate movement of blocks 26, 28, block 30 and rails 34, 36 by the associated drive means.
  • the robot head is designed to transport a standard 96 well microtitre plate (not shown) between different locations within the framework. To this end the head has fixed thereto vacuum pads (from Kos a) and associated vacuum control means (not shown) for suitable attachment to a microtitre plate.
  • the robot head is also designed to perform pipetting and aspirating functions.
  • the apparatus thus includes a pipetting device manufactured by Hook and Tucker (not shown) linked to the robot head by means of suitable tubing (not shown).
  • the apparatus also includes a vacuum pump (from Charles Austen) and associated valves and reagent lines (not shown) leading to the robot head.
  • the base plate supports a number of different components required for performing the method.
  • the plate supports three heat blocks from Techne, one of which is shown schematically at 40 in tne figure. Each heat block is adapted to be heated to a different fixed temperature under the computer control means.
  • the base plate also carries two magnetic separation stations, e.g. from Techne, one of which is illustrated schematically at 42 in the figure. Each magnetic separation station comprises an array of bar magnets arranged in parallel spaced relationship.
  • One magnetic separation station is designed to retain magnetic beads in the base at the microtitre plate wells while liquid is aspirated off, thus separating the beads.
  • This station comprises an array of eight bar magnets separated by 9mm gaps so as to be located beneath adjacent rows of wells in a microtitre plate.
  • the other magnetic separation station is designed to perform a washing function and comprises four bar magnets at a separation so as to be located beneath the spaces between alternate rows of wells in a microtitre plate, in use, a microtitre plate is positioned over the magnetic separation station with the bar magnets aligned beneath a first set of gaps between alternate rows of wells so that magnetic beads are attracted to one side of the bottom of the wells. After a short period of time, such as 5 seconds, the plate is moved laterally the distance of the spacing between rows of wells so that the magnets are aligned beneath a second set of gaps between alternate rows of wells. In this position the magnetic beads are attracted to the opposed side of the bottom of the wells. The process is repeated a number of times, so that the magnetic beads are moved from side to side within liquid in the wells, performing a washing function.
  • the base plate also supports a supply of disposable sterile pipette tips, illustrated schematically at 44, with an associated sensor 46 for determining whether a tip has been properly picked up by the robot head.
  • the base plate also includes a tip disposal station, illustrated schematically at 48, comprising an opening with a tip-receiving receptacle (not shown) therebelow.
  • the apparatus also includes regions for storage of microtitre plates awaiting processing and that have been processed.
  • the apparatus also includes a receptacle for temporary storage of beads which may then be recycled for further use, possibly after rejuvenation.
  • the apparatus further includes computer control means such as a PC (not shown) for controlling and co-ordinating movement of the robot head and associated functions in a manner that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • computer control means such as a PC (not shown) for controlling and co-ordinating movement of the robot head and associated functions in a manner that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • a microtitre plate with samples to be processed is picked up by the robot head 28 and is transported between appropriate locations with suitable addition and removal of reagents to perform the desired process.
  • the following example concerns an automated method of preparing DNA which may be carried out in the apparatus of Figure 1.
  • the example involves an oligonucleotide probe which has been synthesised with a biotin group at the 3' end.
  • the biotinylated probe is attached to a streptavidin-coated magnetic bead to form a magnetic bead/probe complex.
  • the probe is designed to be complementary to a region upstream from the M13 -21 Universal priming site.
  • single plaques may be grown up in culture, the cells harvested and the supernatant collected and lysed to yield free single strands.
  • the bead/probe complex is then added, and the probe allowed to anneal to the target DNA. Once bound, the bead/probe/template complex can be separated from the rest of the sample using magnetic attraction and then washed.
  • the template may then be freed from the bead/probe complex by heating.
  • All the post-growth steps can be carried out in microtitre plates with no centrifugation or ethanol precipitations required. In this example, 250 random M13 sub-clones were prepared and sequenced using the method outlined below.
  • the amount of template recovered depends directly on the design of the probe.
  • the probe must be specific to the target but must not act as a secondary sequencing primer if free probe is left in solution. Consequently, the probe (shown in Figure 2) is 41bp in length and binds to a region upstream from the M13 -21 Universal primer site.
  • the probe has a run of several 'A's at the 3' end together with the biotin group. This acts as a linker arm to prevent steric hindrance between the large streptavidin- coated beads and the binding of the probe to the target. Also the high degree of non-complementarity at the 3 ' end would prevent the free probe from acting as a sequencing primer should it shear from the beads.
  • the probe THM13.3 was synthesised on an ABI 380B DNA synthesiser on a luMole scale. Biotin phosphora idite was obtained from Amersha UK. The sequence of the probe was:
  • Promega nucleotide quality beads were used in this example. 1.2ml of Promega beads are used per 12 samples. The beads were washed in O.lM NaCl three times using a neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet to separate the beads from the washing solution. 200ul O.lM NaCl and lOnmol THM13.3 oligonucleotide were then added to 1.2ml (1.2mg) dry beads and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes. The beads were then washed 10 times in O.lM NaCl to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Bead/probe complex was finally taken up in 1.2ml water. Beads may be bound to probe in bulk and stored in storage buffer at 4°C.
  • Random M13 sub-clones with l-2kb inserts were grown up in 2ml 2xTy medium (16g bacto tryptone, lOg yeast extract, 5g NaCl in 11 water) for 5 hours at 37°C. Cells were spun down at 14,000g for 5 minutes and the supernatant transferred to microtitre plates. 400ul supernatant was used from each sample, using two wells, each containing 200ul supernatant (Falcon 3911 MicroTest Flexible Assay Plate. )
  • hybridisation buffer (20% PEG 8000/2.5M NaCl) was added to each well with a multidispensing pipette; no mixing is required so the same tip may be used for all wells. Also, 20ul bead/probe complex were added to each well, and the dish was incubated at 45°C for 30 minutes.
  • the microtitre plate was removed from the cycler and placed on a Dynal MPC-96 magnetic separator. After 30 seconds the supernatant was aspirated, lOOul wash buffer (0.1X SSC) were added to each well and the beads were moved through the wash buffer by repositioning the plate over the magnetic separator three times at intervals of five seconds. This step was repeated a total of three times. Finally, the beads were eluted in lOul water; using the magnet, beads may be dispersed into this small volume.
  • lOOul wash buffer 0.1X SSC
  • the templates were released from the probe by heating the' plate to 80°C for 3 minutes. After heating, the beads were concentrated using the magnet and the supernatant was removed to a fresh microtitre plate. Due to evaporation the final total volume was approximately 8ul from each well, or approximately 16ul per DNA template sample.
  • beads may be re-used as outlined below.
  • Beads were collected and pooled in a 1.5ml eppendorf tube. The supernatant was removed and the beads were resuspended in 1ml reuse buffer (0.15M NaOH, 0.001% Tween 20) for 1 minute. The supernatant was removed and the procedure repeated. Finally the beads were washed once in storage buffer and taken up in half the original volume of storage buffer (PBS pH 7.5, 0.1% BSA) . Beads were then stored at 4°C.
  • NAME Medical Research Council STREET: 20 Park Crescent CITY: London COUNTRY: United Kingdom POSTAL CODE (ZIP): WIN 4AL TELEPHONE: (071) 636 5422 TELEFAX: (071) 323 1331
  • MOLECULE TYPE DNA (genomic)
  • HYPOTHETICAL NO (111)
  • ANTI-SENSE NO

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un appareil permettant de préparer une séquence d'ADN à étudier à partir d'un échantillon complexe, et consistant à utiliser des particules magnétiques dans une plaque de dosage, cet appareil comprenant: un élément permettant de déplacer une plaque de dosage dans un espace tridimensionnel; un élément permettant d'alimenter la plaque en liquides; un élément de régulation thermique servant à réguler la température de la plaque de dosage; un élément de séparation magnétique permettant de manipuler les particules magnétiques dans la plaque; et un élément de gestion par ordinateur servant à commander et à coordonner le fonctionnement de tous les éléments ci-dessus. Un procédé de préparation automatique d'ADN à partir d'un échantillon complexe est également décrit.
PCT/GB1993/001222 1992-06-09 1993-06-09 Preparation automatique d'acides nucleiques WO1993025912A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU43439/93A AU4343993A (en) 1992-06-09 1993-06-09 Automated preparation of nucleic acids

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9212164.9 1992-06-09
GB929212164A GB9212164D0 (en) 1992-06-09 1992-06-09 Preparation of nucleic acids

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993025912A2 true WO1993025912A2 (fr) 1993-12-23
WO1993025912A3 WO1993025912A3 (fr) 1994-03-17

Family

ID=10716759

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001222 WO1993025912A2 (fr) 1992-06-09 1993-06-09 Preparation automatique d'acides nucleiques
PCT/GB1993/001223 WO1993025709A1 (fr) 1992-06-09 1993-06-09 Preparation d'acides nucleiques

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001223 WO1993025709A1 (fr) 1992-06-09 1993-06-09 Preparation d'acides nucleiques

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (2) AU4344093A (fr)
GB (1) GB9212164D0 (fr)
WO (2) WO1993025912A2 (fr)

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995025592A1 (fr) * 1994-03-19 1995-09-28 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Procede de traitement d'acides nucleiques
EP0687505A1 (fr) 1994-06-16 1995-12-20 Roche Diagnostics GmbH Méthode de séparation magnétique pour des composants d'un liquide
WO1996011406A1 (fr) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-18 Flinders Technologies Pty. Ltd. Appareil et procede de stockage, purification ou mise en reaction et traitement d'un biopolymere
WO1996018731A2 (fr) * 1994-12-12 1996-06-20 Dynal A/S Isolement de l'acide nucleique
WO1996031781A1 (fr) * 1995-04-01 1996-10-10 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Systeme permettant de liberer et d'isoler des acides nucleiques
WO1997022882A1 (fr) * 1995-12-18 1997-06-26 Alan Norman Hale Appareil et procede de traitement d'echantillons
US5779985A (en) * 1995-12-18 1998-07-14 Solid Phase Sciences Corporation Reaction plenum
FR2760844A1 (fr) * 1997-03-17 1998-09-18 Genethon Ii Dispositif et procede d'analyse automatique d'echantillons sur gels
WO1999045141A1 (fr) * 1998-03-05 1999-09-10 Thuraiayah Vinayagamoorthy Reaction en chaine ligase/polymerase multi-zone
WO1999057561A2 (fr) * 1998-05-01 1999-11-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analyseur automatise pour diagnostics et procede correspondant
GB2343949A (en) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-24 Jenoptik Jena Gmbh Handling magnetic beads during assays
DE19943374A1 (de) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-29 Max Planck Gesellschaft Verfahren zum Anbinden von Nukleinsäuren an eine Festphase
DE19954840A1 (de) * 1999-11-09 2001-05-17 Biopsytec Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Aufbereitung biologischer Proben für die DNA-Analyse
US6277332B1 (en) 1995-12-18 2001-08-21 Solid Phase Sciences Corporation Reaction plenum with magnetic separation and/or ultrasonic agitation
EP1198566A2 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2002-04-24 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. Procede de selection a haut rendement de molecules en interaction
DE10065148A1 (de) * 2000-12-22 2002-07-11 Inst Physikalische Hochtech Ev Magnetische Greif-Halte-Anordnung zum Handhaben matrixförmig angeordneter magnetischer Objekte
DE10133857C2 (de) * 2000-07-13 2003-06-12 Suzuki Motor Co Probenanalyseeinrichtung
US6919175B1 (en) 1995-04-01 2005-07-19 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh System for releasing and isolating nucleic acids
AU2003271382B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2006-07-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated Diagnostic Analyzer and Method
AU2006230729B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2008-04-03 Gen-Probe Incorporated Transport mechanism
US7794659B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2010-09-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system having a movable signal measuring device
US8192992B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-06-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
US8241892B2 (en) 1996-11-01 2012-08-14 University Of Pittsburgh Method and apparatus for holding cells
US8718948B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2014-05-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US8840848B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2014-09-23 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including analytical units
US8973736B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2015-03-10 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Magnetic damping for specimen transport system
US9046507B2 (en) 2010-07-29 2015-06-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure
US9046506B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2015-06-02 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Specimen container detection
US9446418B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-09-20 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Robotic arm
US9482684B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-11-01 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Centrifuge system and workflow
US9506943B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-11-29 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Aliquotter system and workflow
US9910054B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2018-03-06 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method for processing samples

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5705628A (en) * 1994-09-20 1998-01-06 Whitehead Institute For Biomedical Research DNA purification and isolation using magnetic particles
US5683875A (en) * 1995-05-04 1997-11-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Method for detecting a target nucleic acid analyte in a sample
CA2262018C (fr) 1996-07-29 2007-10-02 Nanosphere Llc Nanoparticules sur lesquelles sont attaches des oligonucleotides et utilisations desdites nanoparticules
US6750016B2 (en) 1996-07-29 2004-06-15 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
US6984491B2 (en) 1996-07-29 2006-01-10 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
US7098320B1 (en) 1996-07-29 2006-08-29 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
US6506564B1 (en) 1996-07-29 2003-01-14 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
US6582921B2 (en) 1996-07-29 2003-06-24 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses thereof
US6974669B2 (en) 2000-03-28 2005-12-13 Nanosphere, Inc. Bio-barcodes based on oligonucleotide-modified nanoparticles
DE19801730A1 (de) * 1998-01-19 1999-07-22 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Verfahren zur kombinierten Analyse von Zellinhalten, insbesondere den in biologischen Zellen enthaltenen Nukleinsäuren sowie Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
AU774593C (en) 2000-01-13 2005-06-23 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
ATE487136T1 (de) * 2000-03-28 2010-11-15 Nanosphere Inc Nanopartikel mit gebundenen oligonukleotiden und verwendungen derselben
AU7687001A (en) 2000-07-11 2002-01-21 Nanospherre Inc Method of detection by enhancement of silver staining
AU2001281248A1 (en) * 2000-08-11 2002-03-13 Nanosphere Inc. Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor
EP1978110B1 (fr) 2000-09-06 2010-05-26 Transnetyx, Inc. Procédé et système assistés par ordinateur pour criblage d'ADN genomique
EP1356109A2 (fr) * 2000-12-08 2003-10-29 Nanosphere, Inc. Nanoparticules auxquelles sont attaches des oligonucleotides et utilisations de ces dernieres
DE60228128D1 (de) 2001-11-09 2008-09-18 Nanosphere Inc Biokonjugat-nanopartikelsonden
JP2005532456A (ja) 2002-07-02 2005-10-27 ナノスフェアー　インコーポレイテッド ナノ粒子ポリアニオン複合物ならびに分析物の検出における同複合物の用途
EP1776458A2 (fr) 2004-07-30 2007-04-25 Agencourt Bioscience Corporation Procedes d'isolement d'acides nucleiques au moyen de supports a phase solide revetus de groupes multifonctionnels
WO2006059386A1 (fr) * 2004-12-02 2006-06-08 National Institute Of Agrobiological Sciences Procédé consistant à isoler un adn double brin contenant des séquences répétées en tandem (ssr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0212663A2 (fr) * 1985-08-30 1987-03-04 Tosoh Corporation Analyseur automatique d'essais immunologiques
FR2633310A1 (fr) * 1988-06-24 1989-12-29 Pasteur Institut Appareil d'execution automatique repetee d'un cycle thermique en plusieurs etapes successives, notamment pour l'amplification enzymatique de sequences d'acides nucleiques
EP0438883A2 (fr) * 1989-12-22 1991-07-31 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Dispositif de couvercle chauffé
WO1991016675A1 (fr) * 1990-04-06 1991-10-31 Applied Biosystems, Inc. Laboratoire de biologie moleculaire automatise
WO1992005443A1 (fr) * 1990-09-15 1992-04-02 Medical Research Council Separation de reactif
EP0479448A2 (fr) * 1990-10-02 1992-04-08 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Appareil pour séparation magnétique
EP0351988B1 (fr) * 1988-07-16 1993-09-01 Quatro Biosystems Limited Appareil d'analyse de fluides biologiques

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8507706D0 (en) * 1985-03-25 1985-05-01 Genetics Int Inc Magnetic nucleic acid sequences
EP0446260B1 (fr) * 1988-11-21 1994-03-02 Dynal A.S. Sondes d'acide nucleique

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0212663A2 (fr) * 1985-08-30 1987-03-04 Tosoh Corporation Analyseur automatique d'essais immunologiques
FR2633310A1 (fr) * 1988-06-24 1989-12-29 Pasteur Institut Appareil d'execution automatique repetee d'un cycle thermique en plusieurs etapes successives, notamment pour l'amplification enzymatique de sequences d'acides nucleiques
EP0351988B1 (fr) * 1988-07-16 1993-09-01 Quatro Biosystems Limited Appareil d'analyse de fluides biologiques
EP0438883A2 (fr) * 1989-12-22 1991-07-31 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Dispositif de couvercle chauffé
WO1991016675A1 (fr) * 1990-04-06 1991-10-31 Applied Biosystems, Inc. Laboratoire de biologie moleculaire automatise
WO1992005443A1 (fr) * 1990-09-15 1992-04-02 Medical Research Council Separation de reactif
EP0479448A2 (fr) * 1990-10-02 1992-04-08 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Appareil pour séparation magnétique

Cited By (85)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5985555A (en) * 1994-03-19 1999-11-16 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Method and apparatus for processing nucleic acids using a small temperature-changing zone
WO1995025592A1 (fr) * 1994-03-19 1995-09-28 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Procede de traitement d'acides nucleiques
EP0687505A1 (fr) 1994-06-16 1995-12-20 Roche Diagnostics GmbH Méthode de séparation magnétique pour des composants d'un liquide
WO1996011406A1 (fr) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-18 Flinders Technologies Pty. Ltd. Appareil et procede de stockage, purification ou mise en reaction et traitement d'un biopolymere
WO1996018731A2 (fr) * 1994-12-12 1996-06-20 Dynal A/S Isolement de l'acide nucleique
WO1996018731A3 (fr) * 1994-12-12 1996-09-12 Dynal As Isolement de l'acide nucleique
US6919175B1 (en) 1995-04-01 2005-07-19 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh System for releasing and isolating nucleic acids
US6117398A (en) * 1995-04-01 2000-09-12 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh System for releasing and isolating nucleic acids
WO1996031781A1 (fr) * 1995-04-01 1996-10-10 Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh Systeme permettant de liberer et d'isoler des acides nucleiques
US5779985A (en) * 1995-12-18 1998-07-14 Solid Phase Sciences Corporation Reaction plenum
WO1997022882A1 (fr) * 1995-12-18 1997-06-26 Alan Norman Hale Appareil et procede de traitement d'echantillons
US5962338A (en) * 1995-12-18 1999-10-05 Solid Phase Sciences Corp. Method for producing organic molecules on a paramagnetic bead
US6277332B1 (en) 1995-12-18 2001-08-21 Solid Phase Sciences Corporation Reaction plenum with magnetic separation and/or ultrasonic agitation
US8241892B2 (en) 1996-11-01 2012-08-14 University Of Pittsburgh Method and apparatus for holding cells
WO1998041874A1 (fr) * 1997-03-17 1998-09-24 Genethon Ii Dispositif et procede d'analyse automatique d'echantillons sur gels
FR2760844A1 (fr) * 1997-03-17 1998-09-18 Genethon Ii Dispositif et procede d'analyse automatique d'echantillons sur gels
WO1999045141A1 (fr) * 1998-03-05 1999-09-10 Thuraiayah Vinayagamoorthy Reaction en chaine ligase/polymerase multi-zone
US6140110A (en) * 1998-03-05 2000-10-31 Vinayagamoorthy; Thuraiayah Apparatus for multi-zone polymerase chain reaction
US8137620B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-03-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having an arcuate closure panel
WO1999057561A3 (fr) * 1998-05-01 2000-01-06 Kelly G Ammann Analyseur automatise pour diagnostics et procede correspondant
US8569019B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for performing an assay with a nucleic acid present in a specimen
US6335166B1 (en) 1998-05-01 2002-01-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence
US8337753B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-12-25 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having a receptacle mixing mechanism
JP2002513936A (ja) * 1998-05-01 2002-05-14 ジェン−プロウブ インコーポレイテッド 自動化診断用分析器および方法
US8318500B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-11-27 Gen-Probe, Incorporated Method for agitating the contents of a reaction receptacle within a temperature-controlled environment
US8309358B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-11-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for introducing a fluid into a reaction receptacle contained within a temperature-controlled environment
WO1999057561A2 (fr) * 1998-05-01 1999-11-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Analyseur automatise pour diagnostics et procede correspondant
US8221682B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-07-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
AU2003271382B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2006-07-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated Diagnostic Analyzer and Method
KR100704324B1 (ko) * 1998-05-01 2007-04-09 젠-프로브 인코포레이티드 자동 분석 기기 및 자동 분석 방법
JP2007300930A (ja) 1998-05-01 2007-11-22 Gen-Probe Inc 自動化診断用分析器および方法
AU2006230729B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2008-04-03 Gen-Probe Incorporated Transport mechanism
EP1930078A1 (fr) * 1998-05-01 2008-06-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Procédé pour l'agitation du contenu d'un conteneur
US20080268528A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2008-10-30 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated analyzer for use in performing nucleic Acid-based amplification reactions
JP2008283983A (ja) * 1998-05-01 2008-11-27 Gen-Probe Inc 自動化診断用分析器および方法
US7666681B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2010-02-23 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for agitating the fluid contents of a container
US7666602B2 (en) * 1998-05-01 2010-02-23 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for agitating the fluid contents of a container
US9598723B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2017-03-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated analyzer for performing a nucleic acid-based assay
US9150908B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2015-10-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US8883455B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2014-11-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US8709814B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2014-04-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for incubating the contents of a receptacle
US8569020B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for simultaneously performing multiple amplification reactions
US8012419B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2011-09-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having rotatable door
US8546110B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US8192992B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-06-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
GB2343949A (en) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-24 Jenoptik Jena Gmbh Handling magnetic beads during assays
EP1198566A2 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2002-04-24 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. Procede de selection a haut rendement de molecules en interaction
DE19943374A1 (de) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-29 Max Planck Gesellschaft Verfahren zum Anbinden von Nukleinsäuren an eine Festphase
DE19954840A1 (de) * 1999-11-09 2001-05-17 Biopsytec Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Aufbereitung biologischer Proben für die DNA-Analyse
DE10133857C2 (de) * 2000-07-13 2003-06-12 Suzuki Motor Co Probenanalyseeinrichtung
DE10065148B4 (de) * 2000-12-22 2004-01-22 Institut für Physikalische Hochtechnologie e.V. Magnetische Greif-Halte-Anordnung
DE10065148A1 (de) * 2000-12-22 2002-07-11 Inst Physikalische Hochtech Ev Magnetische Greif-Halte-Anordnung zum Handhaben matrixförmig angeordneter magnetischer Objekte
US8349564B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2013-01-08 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for continuous mode processing of the contents of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay
US7794659B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2010-09-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system having a movable signal measuring device
US8008066B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-08-30 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for performing multi-formatted assays
US8663922B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2014-03-04 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for detecting multiple optical signals
US7964413B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-06-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for continuous mode processing of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay
US10006862B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2018-06-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays
US9726607B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2017-08-08 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for detecting multiple optical signals
US7932081B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-04-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system for conducting real-time amplification assays
US8501461B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2013-08-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for performing multi-formatted assays
US9372156B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2016-06-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for processing contents of a receptacle to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents
US7897337B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-03-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for performing multi-formatted assays
US8840848B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2014-09-23 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including analytical units
US8996320B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-03-31 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including analytical units
US8932541B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-01-13 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Pipettor including compliant coupling
US9046455B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-06-02 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including multiple processing lanes executing processing protocols
US9519000B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2016-12-13 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Reagent cartridge
US9140715B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-09-22 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method for controlling thermal cycler modules
US8962308B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-02-24 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including thermal cycler modules
US9274132B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2016-03-01 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Assay cartridge with reaction well
US9285382B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2016-03-15 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Reaction vessel
US8956570B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-02-17 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method including analytical units
US9046507B2 (en) 2010-07-29 2015-06-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure
US10641707B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2020-05-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US9915613B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2018-03-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US8718948B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2014-05-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US9506943B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-11-29 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Aliquotter system and workflow
US9046506B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2015-06-02 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Specimen container detection
US9482684B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-11-01 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Centrifuge system and workflow
US8973736B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2015-03-10 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Magnetic damping for specimen transport system
US9910054B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2018-03-06 Beckman Coulter, Inc. System and method for processing samples
US10048284B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2018-08-14 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Sample container cap with centrifugation status indicator device
US10274505B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2019-04-30 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Robotic arm
US9446418B2 (en) 2011-11-07 2016-09-20 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Robotic arm

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1993025912A3 (fr) 1994-03-17
GB9212164D0 (en) 1992-07-22
WO1993025709A1 (fr) 1993-12-23
AU4343993A (en) 1994-01-04
AU4344093A (en) 1994-01-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO1993025912A2 (fr) Preparation automatique d'acides nucleiques
EP1594981B1 (fr) Sequencage a double extremite
EP0672189B1 (fr) Procede de traitement d'echantillons d'acides nucleiques
US10081808B2 (en) Biomolecule isolation
EP1202808B1 (fr) Procede permettant de melanger des particules magnetiques a un fluide
EP0728198B1 (fr) Isolement de l'acide nucleique
EP0796345B1 (fr) Appareil permettant une reaction cyclique magnetique
EP0415978B1 (fr) Procede d'analyse d'adn comportant une amplification genique et l'utilisation de particules magnetiques
US6884395B2 (en) Integrated microfluidic disc
EP0701001A2 (fr) Méthode et système pour séparer, fractionner et analyser de l'ADN
US9951375B2 (en) Biomolecule isolation and thermal processing
WO1999040444A1 (fr) Dispositif et systeme de transfert de materiau
WO2001047638A2 (fr) Disque a structures microfluidiques integrees
EP1144669A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif de production automatisee de ligands d'acide nucleique
EP0784796A1 (fr) Appareil et procede de stockage, purification ou mise en reaction et traitement d'un biopolymere
Obata et al. Recent developments in laboratory automation using magnetic particles for genome analysis
WO2017078484A1 (fr) Procédés d'extraction et de vérification de clones moléculaires
EP1061136B1 (fr) Procédé de préparation d'un échantillon pour l'analyse de l'ADN
WO1991014002A3 (fr) Methode de diagnostic de la maladie de lyme
Griffin et al. DNA Sequencing protocols
CA2473308C (fr) Dosage et kit d'analyse d'expression genique
EP1242186B1 (fr) Méthode de traitement d'acide nucleique matrice par utilisation d'un disque a structures microfluidiques integrees
Esch Basic nucleic acid procedures
Dapprich et al. Automated haplotype-specific separation and allele-level typing of ambiguous allele-pairs
ZIEGLE STEPHEN RE BATES, DAVID A. KNORR, JENNIFER W. WELLER, JANET S. ZIEGLE

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AU JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AU JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase