Automation of tissue disintegration for nucleic acid and protein analysis

A novel tissue disintegration system has been developed, which allows automated mechanical homogenisation of tissue samples. Central elements of the new system are a disposable tube and a disposable pistill, both with grinding elements that move against each other in order to generate cutting and shearing forces for sample disintegration. The disposable system integrates following steps of sample preparation: the uptake of sample, automated and standardised tissue disintegration as well as disposal of sample left-over. This way, the risk of cross contamination can be minimised. In order to assess the mechanism behind tissue disintegration performed by this novel system and to allow its optimisation, relevant factors influencing the process were investigated. The efficiency of the automated tissue disintegration system was compared to rotor-stator homogenisation.