KR20150007030A

KR20150007030A - PCR device

Info

Publication number: KR20150007030A
Application number: KR1020130080838A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이진우; 유금표
Original assignee: (주) 미코에스앤피
Priority date: 2013-07-10
Filing date: 2013-07-10
Publication date: 2015-01-20

Abstract

The present invention provides a PCR device which improves heat efficiency of a heat source and can discriminate DNA while a specimen sample is fixed. The PCR device comprises: a chamber enlarged in one direction, having an internal space in an oval form in which both sides are opened, and having insertion grooves in which specimen samples are inserted so that specimens are located along a first focus of the internal space; the heat source equipped along a second focus inside the chamber, and generating heat to heat the specimens of the specimen samples in the phased temperature need for DNA synthesis; and a light sensor module equipped to be movable in one direction along the internal space, discriminating amplification degree of DNA in the specimens by irradiating light by the specimen samples, and discriminating DNA. Since the specimen samples and the heat source are located on each focus, heat of the heat source can be effectively transferred to the specimens of the specimen samples.

Description

PCR device

The present invention relates to a PCR apparatus, and more particularly, to a PCR apparatus for synthesizing the DNA sample by controlling the temperature of the DNA sample.

In general, DNA amplification technology has been widely used for research and development and diagnosis purposes in life sciences, genetic engineering, and medical fields. In particular, DNA amplification technology by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used . The PCR is used to amplify a specific DNA sequence in the genome as necessary.

The PCR is generally accomplished by denaturation step, annealing step, and extension step. The PCR is performed by a PCR apparatus.

According to the prior art, the PCR device regulates the temperature of a sample sample at a temperature stepwise required for DNA synthesis using a heat source such as a heating block. Further, in order to reduce the time required to adjust the temperature of the sample, the sample may move between a plurality of heat sources having different temperatures. The above technique is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2010-0008476.

Since the heat generated from the heat source is radially copied, the heat of the heat source is not efficiently transferred to the sample because the loss of the heat is large. Therefore, it takes a long time to complete the PCR by controlling the temperature of the sample sample because the thermal efficiency of the heat source is low.

Further, since the sample is moved, the sample may be shaken. Therefore, it is difficult for the optical sensor module of the PCR apparatus to detect an accurate result from the sample sample.

The present invention provides a PCR apparatus capable of improving thermal efficiency of a heat source and discriminating DNA in a state where a sample sample is fixed.

A PCR apparatus according to the present invention includes a chamber having an elliptical inner space extending in one direction and having insertion holes into which sample samples are inserted so that samples for synthesizing DNA are positioned along a first focal point of the inner space, A heat source which is provided along the second focal point in the chamber and generates heat to heat a sample of the sample samples at a temperature stepwise required for DNA synthesis, and a heat source which is movable in the one direction along the inner space, And an optical sensor module for irradiating light with the samples to determine the amplification degree of the DNA in the sample and discriminating the DNA.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface formed with the inner space may be a reflecting surface for reflecting the heat so that the heat generated from the heat source is concentrated on the sample.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PCR device may further include a heat sink provided outside the chamber and for discharging the heat of the chamber to the outside.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber may have a shape in which both sides of the one direction are open.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PCR device is provided so as to cover the opened both sides of the chamber except the space through which the optical sensor module passes, and the heat generated from the heat source through both open sides of the chamber And a reflection plate for blocking emission of the light to the outside of the chamber and reflecting the light to the inside of the chamber.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PCR device is provided on both opened sides of the chamber, and fans for discharging heated air inside the chamber to the outside of the chamber to cool the heated sample sample .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner space in the chamber has a shape in which at least two ellipses are overlapped with the first focal point in common, and the heat source is arranged in each of the second foci of the respective ellipses .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be a halogen lamp.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensor module may be located between the sample and the heat source while the heat source heats the sample of the sample.

Since the sample of the sample and the heat source are disposed at two foci of the chamber having the elliptical inner space, the heat generated from the heat source is thermally reflected to the inner wall of the chamber, It is concentrated. Therefore, since the heat of the heat source is effectively transferred to the sample samples, the time required for heating the sample and the time required to complete the PCR for the sample can be reduced.

In addition, since the sample samples remain fixed in the chamber, it is possible to prevent DNA detection from being difficult due to shaking of the sample, and to improve DNA detection accuracy.

1 is a side sectional view for explaining a PCR apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front sectional view for explaining the PCR apparatus shown in FIG.
Fig. 3 is a front sectional view for explaining another example of the sample sample in Fig. 1. Fig.
Fig. 4 is a front sectional view for explaining another example of the chamber in Fig. 1. Fig.

Hereinafter, a PCR apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is capable of various modifications and various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are enlarged to illustrate the present invention in order to clarify the present invention.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprises", "having", and the like are used to specify that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a part or a combination thereof is described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view for explaining a PCR apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view for explaining the PCR apparatus shown in FIG.

1 and 2, a PCR apparatus 100 includes a chamber 110, a heat source 120, an optical sensor module 130, a reflector 140, a heat sink 150, a fan 160, 170).

The chamber 110 has an elliptical inner space extending in one direction. For example, the chamber 110 may extend horizontally or vertically. The shape of the chamber 110 is substantially the same whether the chamber 110 extends in either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. Accordingly, the following description will be made on the basis of the shape in which the chamber 110 extends in the horizontal direction.

The chamber 110 may be open on both sides in the horizontal direction. The chamber 110 may have an oval shape in its vertical section. At this time, the ellipse may extend vertically or horizontally. Hereinafter, the case where the major axis of the ellipse extends vertically will be described.

Since the vertical cross section of the chamber 110 is elliptical, the inner space has a first focus F1 and a second focus F2. Since the chamber 110 extends in the horizontal direction, the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 can also have a line shape extending in the horizontal direction.

Although the chamber 110 has one elliptical inner space, the chamber 110 may have a plurality of elliptical inner spaces. At this time, the inner spaces have a first focus F1 and a second focus F2, respectively.

The inner surface of the chamber 110 may be a reflective surface for reflecting the heat generated from the heat source 120. The inner surface of the chamber 110 may be metal coated to enhance the efficiency of reflection of the heat. Examples of the metal include aluminum, silver, gold and chromium. Further, a polished thin stainless steel plate may be attached to the inner surface of the chamber 110 to reflect the heat.

The chamber 110 is provided with insertion holes 112 at the upper portion thereof. In the insertion holes 112, sample samples 10 each containing a sample for synthesizing DNA are inserted. At this time, the sample samples 10 have a tube shape, and the sample samples 10 can be set up and down. The insertion holes 112 can penetrate the chamber 110 up and down so that the sample samples 10 are raised in the vertical direction. In addition, the insertion holes 112 may be arranged in a line along the horizontal extending direction.

When the sample samples 10 are respectively inserted into the sample insertion holes 112, the samples accommodated in the sample samples 10 may be positioned along the first focus F1.

The sample samples 10 inserted into the insertion holes 112 remain fixed during the PCR for the sample.

The heat source 120 is provided along the second focus F2 in the inner space of the chamber 110. [ For example, the heat source 120 is provided with one rod-like shape, and may be disposed in the horizontal direction along the second focus F2. As another example, a plurality of heat sources 120 may be provided and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the second focus F2. As an example of the heat source 120, a lamp may be used. An example of such a lamp is a halogen lamp. Since the halogen lamp is a light source that is very fast on / off, PCR is performed by heating the sample samples 10 to different temperatures quickly with one lamp, including a denaturation step, a annealing step, and a stretching step can do.

Meanwhile, a tungsten lamp, an incandescent lamp, a sodium lamp, or the like may be used as the lamp.

The heat source 120 generates heat in order to heat the sample of the sample samples 10 at the stepwise temperature required for DNA synthesis. Specifically, the heat source 120 sequentially heats the sample samples 10 to a first temperature, a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a third temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature. At this time, the first temperature may be about 94 to 95 ° C, the second temperature may be about 55 ° C, and the third temperature may be about 72 ° C.

Since the sample of the sample samples 10 is heated to the first temperature, the double stranded DNA is separated into single stranded DNA. Thereafter, since the sample is heated to the second temperature, the single-stranded DNA and the primer are double-stranded to form a partially double-stranded DNA-primer complex. By heating the sample to the third temperature, the DNA polymerase can extend the primer of the DNA-primer complex by a polymerization reaction, and thus a new single strand having a sequence complementary to the original template DNA DNA can be cloned.

The heat source 120 provided along the second focal point F2 may generate heat uniformly throughout or generate different heat depending on the region.

Specifically, since both sides of the chamber 110 are open, the heat generated by the heat source 120 can be lost through both sides of the chamber 110. When the heat loss through both sides of the chamber 110 is relatively small, the heat source 120 can generate heat uniformly as a whole. Therefore, even if heat generated in the heat source 120 is lost through both sides of the chamber 110, the sample of the sample samples 10 can be relatively uniformly heated.

However, if the heat loss through both sides of the chamber 110 is relatively large, if the heat source 120 generates heat uniformly as a whole, the heat loss through both sides of the chamber 110 causes the sample samples 10 The sample may be heated unevenly. That is, a sample of the sample samples 10 adjacent to both sides of the chamber 110 can be heated to a relatively low temperature. Therefore, in order to uniformly heat the sample of the sample samples 10, the heat source 120 in the vicinity of both sides of the chamber 110 generates relatively high heat, and the heat source of the portion located in the center of the interior of the chamber 110 (120) can generate relatively low heat. Therefore, even if the heat generated in the heat source 120 is lost through both sides of the chamber 110, the sample of the sample samples 10 can be uniformly heated.

Heat generated in the heat source 120 can be directly transferred to the sample. Since the sample of the sample 10 and the heat source 120 are respectively located at the first focus F1 and the second focus F2 respectively and the heat generated from the heat source 120 is transmitted to the inner surface of the chamber 110 And can be focused on the sample. Therefore, the heat generated from the heat source 120 can be effectively transferred to the sample of the sample samples 10. [ Therefore, the time required for heating the sample of the sample sample 10 can be shortened, and the time required to complete the PCR for the sample can be shortened.

A reflector 140 is provided on both open sides of the chamber 110 to minimize the heat loss through both sides of the chamber 110. The reflector 140 covers the open sides of the chamber 110 except for the horizontal movement path of the optical sensor module 130. Therefore, the reflection plate 140 can prevent the heat generated from the heat source 120 from being discharged to the outside of the chamber 110 through the opened both sides of the chamber 110, thereby preventing the heat from being lost.

Also, the reflection plate 140 may reflect the heat into the chamber 110. For this, the reflector 140 may be metal coated on its surface. Examples of the metal include aluminum, silver, gold and chromium. Therefore, the heat generated in the heat source 120 can be transmitted to the sample samples 10 more effectively.

The optical sensor module 130 is reciprocally movable in the inner space of the chamber 110 along the horizontal direction. Although not shown, the optical sensor module 130 is connected to a driving unit such as a step motor, a cylinder, and the like, and can be horizontally reciprocated by the driving unit.

The optical sensor module 130 scans the sample samples 10 using light while reciprocating in the inner space of the chamber 110. Accordingly, the optical sensor module 130 can determine the amplification degree of the DNA in the sample accommodated in the sample samples 10 and discriminate the DNA. Specifically, the optical sensor module 130 has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The optical sensor module 130 irradiates light to the sample samples 10 fixed to the chamber 110 in the light emitting portion and transmits the light transmitted from the sample samples 10 The light can be received by the light receiving unit.

For example, the optical sensor module 130 irradiates light to the sample samples 10 above the light-emitting section while passing below the sample samples 10 fixed to the chamber 110, and the sample sample 10 Can be received by the light-receiving unit.

As another example, the optical sensor module 130 may have grooves extending along the horizontal direction on the upper surface and accommodating portions of the sample samples 10 where the sample is received. At this time, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion may be disposed on both sides of the groove. Accordingly, the optical sensor module 130 can transmit the light to the sample samples 10 located on the side surface of the light emitting part while accommodating the sample accommodation part of the sample sample 10 through the internal space of the chamber 110. [ And the light receiving unit can receive the light that has passed through the sample samples 10.

The sample samples 10 remain fixed to the chamber 110, so that the sample of the sample sample 10 can be prevented from shaking. Therefore, since DNA detection and discrimination of the optical sensor module 130 are performed in a state where the sample samples 10 and the sample are not shaken, DNA detection accuracy of the optical sensor module 130 can be improved.

Meanwhile, when the optical sensor module 130 does not discriminate the DNA, the optical sensor module 130 may be positioned on both open sides of the chamber 110.

The heat sink 150 is provided on the outer surface of the chamber 110 and has a large surface area. For example, the heat sink 150 may be formed integrally with the chamber 110. The heat sink 150 discharges the heat of the chamber 110 heated by the heat source 120 to the outside through heat exchange with the outside air. Accordingly, the heat sink 150 cools the chamber 110 so that the chamber 110 maintains a low temperature.

The fan 160 may be provided on both open sides of the chamber 110, respectively. The fan 160 is spaced from the open sides of the chamber 110 rather than the optical sensor module 130 and the optical sensor module 130 is positioned between the fans 160 located on both open sides of the chamber 110. [ Respectively.

The fan 160 forms an airflow to cool the sample samples 10 by discharging the heated air inside the chamber 110 to the outside of the chamber 110. For example, the fan 160 may be operated prior to heating the sample samples 10 heated to the first temperature to the second temperature. Therefore, the temperature of the sample samples 10 can be quickly lowered.

The fan 160 provided on both open sides of the chamber 110 can selectively operate according to the position of the optical sensor module 130. [ For example, when the optical sensor module 130 is positioned adjacent to one side of the fan 160, the one side of the fan 160 is spaced from the open side of the chamber 110 than the optical sensor module 130. Since the air flow formed by the fan 160 on one side is blocked by the optical sensor module 130, it is difficult to discharge the heated air inside the chamber 110 to the outside of the chamber 110. Therefore, when the optical sensor module 130 is positioned adjacent to the fan 160 on one side, the fan 160 on the other side opposite to the one side is operated. The fan 160 on the other side can easily discharge the heated air in the chamber 110 to the outside of the chamber 110 without disturbance of the optical sensor module 130.

The temperature sensor 170 extends from the outside of the chamber 110 to the inside space of the chamber 100 through the chamber 110. Specifically, the temperature sensor 170 may extend from the sample samples 10 to the first focal point F1, where the sample is received. The temperature sensor 170 can measure the temperature of the sample contained in the sample samples 10.

Even if the reflector 140 is provided, both sides of the chamber 110 are opened, so that a temperature deviation may occur between the sample samples 10 arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the temperature sensor 170 can be disposed at the central portion and the outermost portion of the sample samples 10 arranged in a line, respectively, and can measure the temperature according to the positions of the sample samples 10.

And controls the operation of the heat source 120 using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 170. The temperature of the heat source 120 can be controlled to be uniform as a whole if the temperature of the center portion and the outermost portion of the sample samples 10 in the temperature sensor 170 is within an error range. As another example, when the temperatures of the central portion and the outermost portion of the sample samples 10 in the temperature sensor 170 deviate from the error range, the temperature of the heat source 120 may be controlled do. That is, the temperature of the heat source 120 adjacent to both sides of the chamber 110 is controlled to be higher than the temperature of the portion located at the inner center of the chamber 110.

The sample of the sample samples 10 can be heated to a uniform temperature by the heat source 120 by controlling the operation of the heat source 120 by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 170 as described above.

Fig. 3 is a front sectional view for explaining another example of the sample sample in Fig. 1. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sample sample 10 may have a substantially rectangular plate-like chip shape instead of a tube shape. When the sample sample 10 has a chip form, the sample sample 10 is located on the upper surface or the lower surface of the light-transmitting region through which the light of the photosensor module 130 is transmitted. Accordingly, the insertion holes 112 are provided in the upper portion of the chamber 110 and pass through the chamber 110 horizontally. At this time, the insertion holes 112 may be arranged in a line along the horizontal extending direction.

The chip-shaped sample samples 10 may include a temperature sensor (not shown) therein. The temperature of the sample contained in the sample samples 10 can be accurately measured using the temperature sensor. The temperature of the sample measured by the temperature sensor may be provided to the heat source 120 so that the heat source 120 may be used to control the temperature of the sample samples 10. [

Fig. 4 is a front sectional view for explaining another example of the chamber in Fig. 1. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 4, the chamber 110 has a shape in which at least two ellipses are superposed with a vertical cross section having a common first focus F1. Thus, the chamber 110 has a first focus F1 in the interior space and a second focus F2 by the number of overlapping ellipses. The heat source 120 is also provided for the number of the overlapped ellipses, and is disposed at each of the second focuses F2. Since the vertical cross section of the chamber 110 has a shape in which the two ellipses are overlapped with each other, heat generated in the heat sources 120 can be reflected on the inner surface of the chamber 110 and concentrated on the sample of the sample samples 10 . Therefore, the sample of the sample samples 10 can be heated more effectively, and the time required for heating the sample can be shortened.

As described above, the PCR apparatus according to the present invention can shorten the time required for heating the sample of the sample by disposing the sample of the sample and the heat source at the two foci of the chamber having the elliptical inner space, respectively The time required for completing the PCR on the sample can be reduced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It can be understood that it is possible.

100: PCR apparatus 110: chamber
120: heat source 130: optical sensor module
140: reflector 150: heat sink
160: fan 170: temperature sensor
10: sample sample

Claims

A chamber extending in one direction and having an elliptical inner space and including insertion holes into which sample samples are inserted so that samples for synthesizing DNA are located along a first focal point of the inner space;
A heat source provided along the second focal point in the chamber and generating heat to heat the sample of the sample samples at a temperature stepwise required for DNA synthesis; And
And an optical sensor module provided to be movable in the one direction along the internal space, the optical sensor module irradiating light to the sample samples to discriminate the degree of amplification of the DNA in the sample and discriminate the DNA. Device.

2. The PCR apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface formed with the inner space such that heat generated from the heat source is concentrated on the sample is a reflection surface for reflecting the heat.

The PCR apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heat dissipating plate provided outside the chamber for discharging the heat of the chamber to the outside.

2. The PCR apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber has a shape in which both sides of the one direction are open.

The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a cover that covers both open sides of the chamber except for a space through which the optical sensor module passes, and prevents heat generated in the heat source from being discharged to the outside of the chamber through both open sides of the chamber And a reflection plate for reflecting the light to the inside of the chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: fans for cooling the heated sample, respectively, disposed on both open sides of the chamber and discharging heated air from the chamber to the outside of the chamber, Device.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner space in the chamber has a shape in which at least two ellipses are overlapped with the first focal point in common, and the heat source is disposed at each of the second focal points of the respective ellipses Lt; / RTI >

The PCR apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source is a halogen lamp.

2. The PCR apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor module is located between the sample and the heat source while the heat source heats the sample of the sample.