CPC G01N 33/6848 (2013.01) [B01L 3/5085 (2013.01); B01L 7/00 (2013.01); G01N 1/34 (2013.01); G01N 1/44 (2013.01); G01N 33/54326 (2013.01); G01N 33/54346 (2013.01); B01L 2400/043 (2013.01); B82Y 5/00 (2013.01); B82Y 25/00 (2013.01); B82Y 30/00 (2013.01); B82Y 35/00 (2013.01); B82Y 40/00 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. An automated system for distinguishing states of a biological sample using a plurality of magnetic particles, the system comprising:
(a) a fluid transfer unit comprising a multichannel fluid transfer instrument for transferring fluids between units within the system, the multichannel fluid transfer instrument comprising a plurality of pipettes;
(b) a sensor array comprising a magnetic support and a magnetic sensor array, wherein the magnetic sensor array is removably coupled to the magnetic support and comprises a plurality of partitions that comprises (i) a biological sample, (ii) a diluent comprising a buffer, and (iii) a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the plurality of magnetic particles comprise a carboxyl functionalized silica surface, and wherein the plurality of magnetic particles are configured to bind to at least 300 different proteins from the biological sample;
(c) a reagent storage unit comprising supports for storing a plurality of reagents, wherein the plurality of reagents comprise a buffer, a wash solution, a resuspension solution, and a denaturing solution comprising a protease, wherein the protease comprises trypsin;
(d) a waste unit comprising supports for storing a reagent to be disposed of;
(e) a consumable storage comprising supports for storing consumables for use by the multichannel fluid transfer instrument, the consumables comprising a plurality of pipette tips; and
(f) a control unit comprising one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors comprises a program to perform steps comprising:
i. contacting the biological sample with at least one partition of the plurality of partitions of the magnetic sensor array;
ii. incubating the biological sample with the plurality of magnetic particles of the magnetic sensor array; and
iii. preparing a population of proteins for mass spectrometry by adding the resuspension solution and the denaturing solution to the partition to desorb and digest a plurality of proteins in the biological sample, thereby generating the population of proteins.
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