Jun 16 2009
Microfluidic Systems, a privately-held company focused on the development of microfluidic systems for automated preparation of biological assays, announced today that they received patent number 7,541,166, entitled "Sonication to Selectively Lyse Different Cell Types".
This method, originally applied to the process of differential extraction of male/female DNA from a mixed forensic sample, has broad application in a wide variety of biological sample processes for analysis and identification. Combined with the companion patent number 7,491,527, "Microfluidic Differential Extraction Cartridge", it provides a complete solution to automate this complex sample processing method.
The differential extraction technique is a key step in the identification of the perpetrator's DNA of a rape from a forensic sample. Performing this method in a closed, disposable, and automated cartridge ensures sample integrity and prevents human error, which is important to providing legal evidence in pursuing crimes. Similar requirements are pervasive in all biological sample processing applications.
"MFSI is pleased to further establish its proprietary position in this important sample processing technique," commented Dr. M. Allen Northrup, MFSI President and CEO. "It adds to our repertoire of microfluidic solutions to complex biological processing and analysis products," he added.