US 12,247,991 B2
Remote autonomous environmental DNA sampler and analyzer
Brenda M. Pracheil, Knoxville, TN (US); Phillip C. Chesser, Knoxville, TN (US); Natalie A. Griffiths, Knoxville, TN (US); Kristine Moody, Knoxville, TN (US); Brian K. Post, Knoxville, TN (US); Brennan T. Smith, Knoxville, TN (US); Peter Wang, Oak Ridge, TN (US); Caroline Carter, Plano, TX (US); and Celeste Atkins, Knoxville, TN (US)
Assigned to UT-BATTELLE, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed by UT-Battelle, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US); and Caroline Carter, Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/374,953.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/440,506, filed on Jan. 23, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0248105 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 1/10 (2006.01); C12Q 1/6806 (2018.01); C12Q 1/6869 (2018.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/0099 (2013.01) [C12Q 1/6806 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6869 (2013.01); G01N 1/10 (2013.01); G01N 35/00871 (2013.01); G01N 2001/1031 (2013.01); G01N 2001/4088 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an aquatic robot, comprising:
autonomously propelling the aquatic robot through a body of water to a location where a water sample is to be obtained; and
performing operations by the aquatic robot to autonomously:
collect the water sample;
cause the water sample to flow through a filter that retains eDNA;
lyse and release the eDNA to a create a lysate;
process the lysate to obtain a product for eDNA sequencing;
generate eDNA sequencing data using the product; and
communicate the eDNA sequencing data to a remote external device;
wherein the lysate is processed using a micro- or milli-fluidics system comprising a 3D printed part; and
wherein the operations to process the lysate comprise using a fluid channel of the micro- or milli-fluidics system to transport the lysate to at least one mixing channel having a spiral shape configured to facilitate mixing of the lysate with a cleaning solution.