Encapsulation of cell lysates

Referencing and receiving samples

The platform can receive either dried cell pellets or pellets already lysed by the client (in this case, the service platform provides the solution and the protocol of lysis).

Samples are referenced in the LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) prior to their arrival on the service platform, where they are labelled with a unique code generated by the LIMS (barcode label). Other referencing options are possible, such as labeling by the customer before sending samples.

The biological sample transport procedure and the storage temperature upon reception are defined with the customer, in accordance with the biosafety and biosecurity rules (see the service regulations, available on demand).

Cell pellets lysis

The samples are lysed in a lysis and stabilization solution (Imagene property) specifically optimized for the conservation of DNA in encapsulated cell lysates.

Lysates aliquoting

This fully automated operation makes it possible to distribute each sample of lysate in the number of minicapsules requested by the client. On average, each minicapsule contains about 15 μg of DNA.

During this operation, the barcode of each sample is associated with the Datamatrix codes of the corresponding minicapsules and the information is automatically saved in the LIMS.

Desiccation

During this step, the samples undergo a primary vacuum dehydration in an evapo-concentrator where the various drying parameters (pressure drop, chamber temperature) are controlled.

Encapsulation

After the primary drying step, the case racks and caps are introduced into an environment that guarantees a controlled (anoxic, anhydrous) and inert (argon, helium) atmosphere.

Under this atmosphere, protected from deterioration factors, the case and the cap of each minicapsule are assembled and sealed by pulsed laser YAG welding for a rigorous seal, without temperature rise.

Each minicapsule undergoes, after welding, a systematic tightness check performed by a leak detector (helium detection by mass spectrometry) to ensure a tight seal. In case of leakage, the sample is re-encapsulated.

Delivery of minicapsules

The minicapsules are delivered on their storage racks to the address specified by the customer or stored on behalf of the customer on the platform. Matching data between customer IDs and minicapsule 2D codes (and quality control data where applicable) are also exported from the LIMS database and provided upon delivery.