Patent ID: 7340324

Claim:
A computer system for configuring a machine to automatically perform a method of isolating nucleic acid, the computer system comprising: a computer; a computer readable medium comprising machine readable instructions for causing the computer to output a command series to an automated nucleic acid isolation machine for control of the functions of nucleic acid isolation process; wherein the computer readable medium further comprises: a software module comprising: a centrifuge sub-module for issuing commands initiating centrifuging of a sample for a centrifuge time and a centrifuge speed; an aspirate sub-module for issuing commands initiating aspirating a sample to remove a volume of fluid from a sample; a mixing sub-module for issuing commands initiating mixing a sample; and a dispensing sub-module for issuing commands initiating dispensing into a sample an amount of a specific reagent; wherein the command series comprises: loading a vessel containing a biological blood sample into a centrifuge; centrifuging the sample for a predetermined time and at a predetermined g-force; removing excess supernatant from the centrifuged sample; mixing the biological blood sample in the vessel by aspirating and dispensing a predetermined quantity of sample a predetermined number of times; dispensing into the biological blood sample a predetermined quantity of a first reagent; mixing the biological blood sample in the vessel by aspirating and dispensing a predetermined quantity of sample a predetermined number of times; dispensing into the sample a predetermined quantity of a second reagent; mixing the sample by aspirating and dispensing a predetermined quantity of sample a predetermined number of times; centrifuging the sample for a predetermined time and at a predetermined g-force; removing excess supernatant from the sample; transferring material remaining after removing excess supernatant to a second vessel containing a predetermined volume; mixing the sample by aspirating and dispensing a predetermined quantity of sample at a selectable aspiration rate from gentle to vigorous a predetermined number of times; centrifuging the sample for a predetermined time and at a predetermined g-force; removing excess supernatant from the sample; dispensing into the sample a predetermined quantity of a third reagent; mixing the sample by aspirating and dispensing a predetermined quantity of sample at a selectable aspiration rate from gentle to vigorous a predetermined number of times; centrifuging the sample for a predetermined time and at a predetermined g-force; removing a predetermined quantity of material from the sample; and dispensing into the sample a predetermined amount of a fourth reagent.