US 7,524,652 B2
Automated process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample
Kelly G. Ammann, Longmont, Colo. (US); Ralph E. Burns, Boulder, Colo. (US); Ernest V. Hansberry, Evergreen, Colo. (US); Glenn A. Horner, Boulder, Colo. (US); Cheryl A. Jakub, Golden, Colo. (US); John E. Kling, Boulder, Colo. (US); Donald J. Nieglos, Superior, Colo. (US); Robert E. Schneider, Erie, Colo. (US); and Robert J. Smith, Louisville, Colo. (US)
Assigned to Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif. (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/168,592.
Application 11/168592 is a continuation of application No. 10/946557, filed on Sep. 22, 2004.
Application 10/946557 is a continuation of application No. 09/985064, filed on Nov. 01, 2001, granted, now 6,890,742.
Application 09/985064 is a continuation of application No. 09/303030, filed on Apr. 30, 1999, granted, now 6,335,166.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/083927, filed on May 01, 1998.
Prior Publication US 2006/0003373 A1, Jan. 05, 2006
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12P 19/34 (2006.01); C12Q 1/68 (2006.01); C07H 21/02 (2006.01); C07H 21/04 (2006.01); C07H 21/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—91.2  [435/6; 435/91.1; 536/23.1; 536/24.3; 536/24.33; 536/25.3] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample containing the target nucleic acid, the process comprising performing the automated steps of:
(a) immobilizing the target nucleic acid on a solid support comprising a magnetically-responsive particle;
(b) subjecting the solid support to a magnetic field and aspirating non-immobilized components of the sample;
(c) performing an amplification reaction using the target nucleic acid immobilized in step (a) to produce an amplification product indicative of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample; and
(d) detecting the amplification product of step (c) as an indication of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample,
wherein the steps of the process are performed in a self-contained analyzer.