Automatic Nucleic Acid Extraction

The Automatic Nucleic Acid Extraction Instrument is an easy-to-operate, fast and cost-effective instrument that uses a magnetic bead adsorption method to extract pure DNA and RNA from samples such as serum, plasma, tissue extracts, swab washes, cell-free body fluids, viral cultures and urine.

Automatic nucleic acid extraction instrument is an important instrument used to automatically extract and purify nucleic acids from various biological samples. The following is a detailed introduction for you:

Working Principle

The automatic nucleic acid extraction instrument mainly adopts the magnetic bead method to realize the extraction and purification of nucleic acids. First, the sample is mixed with the lysis solution to lyse the cells and release the nucleic acids. Then, magnetic beads are added, and the magnetic beads will specifically adsorb the nucleic acids. Then, through the adsorption, transfer, and release of the magnetic rods, the magnetic beads adsorbed with nucleic acids are transferred between different reagent wells, washed to remove impurities, and finally, the nucleic acids are eluted from the magnetic beads with the elution solution to obtain the purified nucleic acids.

Instrument Composition

• Main Body: As the core part, it includes a control system, a heating system, a rotation system, etc. The control system is responsible for precisely controlling the entire extraction process; the heating system can provide the temperature conditions required for sample lysis; the rotation system is used for mixing samples to ensure that all components fully react.
• Kit: Includes lysis solution, binding solution, elution solution, drying solution, etc. The lysis solution is used to destroy the cell structure and release the nucleic acids; the binding solution promotes the binding of the nucleic acids with the magnetic beads; the elution solution elutes the nucleic acids from the magnetic beads; the drying solution can dry the eluted nucleic acids.
• Carrier: Usually, it is silica gel or magnetic beads, which act as solid-phase materials in the nucleic acid extraction process and specifically adsorb the nucleic acids.
• Test Channel: It is the place where the samples are extracted. Generally, there are multiple test channels, which can simultaneously extract multiple samples, improving work efficiency.
• Power Supply: Provides electrical energy for various components of the instrument to drive its normal operation.

Characteristics

• High degree of automation: It can automatically complete all steps of nucleic acid extraction, such as sample lysis, nucleic acid binding, washing, elution, etc., without manual intervention, greatly reducing the time and errors of manual operation and improving work efficiency and the accuracy of results.
• High extraction efficiency: It can process multiple samples simultaneously. Generally, it can process 1 to 32 or 1 to 48 samples at a time, depending on the model of the instrument. In addition, the operation time is short, usually within 15 to 60 minutes/time, which can quickly meet the detection needs of a large number of samples.
• High accuracy: It can precisely control the parameters of each step, such as temperature, time, speed, etc., to ensure the stability and reliability of the extraction results. For example, according to different reagents and sample types, custom lysis temperature, elution temperature, and other parameters can be defined to achieve the best extraction effect.
• High reliability: The operation process is carried out in a closed environment, and all reagents and samples are effectively isolated to avoid external contamination, ensuring the credibility of the extraction results. At the same time, some instruments are also equipped with anti-aerosol fans, ultraviolet disinfection functions, etc., further reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
• Wide application range: It is suitable for various types of biological samples, including blood, saliva, urine, tissue, cells, bacteria, viruses, etc., and can extract various types of nucleic acids, such as DNA, RNA, which can meet the research and diagnostic needs of different fields.
• Simple operation: The operation interface of the instrument is usually designed very intuitively and is easy to get started. Generally, operators can skillfully use it after simple training.
• Cost saving: Although the purchase cost of the instrument itself is relatively high, in the long run, due to its high efficiency and accuracy, it can save a lot of labor costs and time costs, improve work efficiency, and is especially suitable for large-scale nucleic acid detection projects.

Application Fields

• Biomedical research: In gene expression analysis, gene mutation detection, disease mechanism research, etc., researchers need to extract and purify nucleic acids from cell or tissue samples for subsequent molecular biology experiments, such as PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, etc.
• Clinical diagnosis: Doctors can extract nucleic acids from body fluid samples of patients to detect and identify pathogens, such as detecting the nucleic acids of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, assisting in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of diseases, which has important significance for the early diagnosis and prevention and control of infectious diseases.
• Forensic science: In forensic identification, nucleic acids can be extracted from biological samples at the crime scene, such as blood, saliva, hair, nails, etc., for DNA identification, providing a scientific basis for case solving and judicial trial.
• Food safety: It is used to detect microbial contamination, transgenic components, etc. in food, to ensure food safety. By extracting nucleic acids from food samples, relevant tests can be carried out to quickly and accurately determine whether the food meets safety standards.
• Environmental monitoring: Scientists can extract nucleic acids from environmental samples, such as soil, water, air, etc., to detect the structure and types of the microbial community, understand the status of environmental pollution, and evaluate the quality of the ecological environment.

Precautions

• Safe operation: Avoid contact with chemical reagents such as lysis solution and elution solution to prevent harm to the human body. At the same time, the instrument should be operated in a well-ventilated environment to avoid using it in high-temperature, humid, or places with a source of fire.
• Equipment cleaning and maintenance: Clean the equipment before and after use, regularly replace consumables, such as sample tubes, elution tubes, elution plates, etc. Regularly calibrate the parameters of the instrument, such as temperature, time, speed, etc., to ensure the normal operation of the instrument and the accuracy of the extraction results.
• Reagent preservation: Reagents such as lysis solution and elution solution should be stored in a cool and dry place, avoiding direct sunlight, and should be used and preserved according to the instructions of the reagent manual to ensure the effectiveness of the reagents.
• Sample quality control: Ensure that the quality of the samples used is good, avoid using contaminated or degraded samples, otherwise, it may affect the effect of nucleic acid extraction and the accuracy of the detection results.
• Magnetic field influence: The automatic nucleic acid extraction instrument usually generates a strong magnetic field. Therefore, people with pacemakers and metal prostheses should avoid operating the instrument to prevent the magnetic field from affecting them.