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Automated Washing Process For Microarray Plates

The document outlines a senior design project to automate the washing process for microarray plates. It discusses the current manual washing methodology, goals of the project including automating washing with different programs and parameters, preliminary designs considered, and future work planned like testing designs and presenting results.

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Cam Miller
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53 views11 pages

Automated Washing Process For Microarray Plates

The document outlines a senior design project to automate the washing process for microarray plates. It discusses the current manual washing methodology, goals of the project including automating washing with different programs and parameters, preliminary designs considered, and future work planned like testing designs and presenting results.

Uploaded by

Cam Miller
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Automated Washing Process

for Microarray Plates


ME 470: Senior Design
November 19, 2013

Jose Long
Ezban Morrissette
Darneshia Williams
Cameron Alexander (Group Leader)
Instructors:
Dr. Mohamed Seif/ Dr. Aaron Adams
I. Introduction & Motivation
II. Goals & Objectives
III. Methodology & Experimental Procedures
IV. Future Work
V. Acknowledgements
Outline
Introduction & Motivation
Microarrays Incorporateds goal is to advance array-based
technologies for biological research, detection and diagnostics
A microarray is supporting material (as a glass or plastic
slide) onto which numerous molecules or fragments usually
of DNA or protein are attached in a regular pattern for use
in biochemical or genetic analysis.
Our design team was given the task to develop an automated
washing process for specialized plates used for the immobilization
of DNA molecules.
The current washing and drying process used by
Microarrays is completely manual.
Goal & Objectives
Program that will process using alternate times and/or iterations
Program #1: Purge/Prime sequences if necessary
Program #2: Full processing event
Program #3: Partial processing event
Record temperature & humidity readings during the processing
event(s)
Ability to process 25 x 75 mm slides as well (if applicable)
Rack to be safely loaded as a single piece
Minimal noise
LED indicator (running vs. stopped/paused )
Abort sequence to safely terminate the procedure by draining all
liquids
Current Methodology
Arrays are printed and DNA is immobilized being incubated at room
temperature for 30 minutes
Plates put through following washing process
Plates are rinsed in 5 various buffers (Triton X-100, Hydrochloric Acid,
Potassium Chloride, de-ionized water, and Ethanolamine)
Rinse times range from 1 minutes to 15 minutes
Rinse frequency, per buffer, ranges from once to four
Can take from an hour to an hour and a half to rinse plates, prep work not
included
Different solution for each buffer
Each buffer has to be precisely measured before being added to a solution
Some solutions have to be measure to a distinct temperature before being
deemed useable
Entire process conducted by hand, using beakers and an platform shaker
Preliminary Design
Design Constraints
1. Accommodate the plates dimensions (110 x 74 x 1.0 mm), and
thickness ( 0.1 thickness).
2. Weight can range from 18 g ( 0.5 g) to 21 g ( 0.5 g), depending on
supplier used.
3. Incorporate a minimum of four wash buffers at appropriate
temperatures.
4. Alert user when going into block wash.
5. Pause the process and require user intervention to continue.
6. Materials cannot interact with reagents.
7. Ergonomically friendly.
a) Weight of handling no more than 20lbs.
b) Bench top device useable by a for a 52 female.
Design #1
Design #2
Design #3 (2 Parts)

Future Work
Task to accomplish in the future:
1. Research current process and brainstorm design
considerations.
2. Conduct trade studies on project alternatives.
3. Conceptual development of Project.
4. Draft CAD designs of the project, three alternatives.
5. Test drafted CAD model with Finite Element Analysis to
ensure maximum durability and performance.
6. Get approval from Microarrays for preliminary design of the
project. They will choose from one of three alternatives.
7. Review approved design after return from Christmas break and
discuss budget with Microarrays.
8. Order necessary parts for assembly of project. (If necessary).
9. Assemble project.
10. Prepare technical report of research findings.
11. Make final presentation in front of the faculty and peers.
Acknowledgements
Jerry C. Collins, Ph.D.
Fellow, BMES; Chair, Ethics Committee.
Fellow, AIMBE; CURM Committee.
Board of Directors, AEMB.
Adjunct Faculty, Alabama A & M University.
Adjunct Faculty, Lipscomb University.
Maria del Carmen Brown
Micro Arrays, Operations Manager.
Joel Peek, Ph.D.
Micro Arrays, CEO.

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