3'-OH Blocking Groups for Stable Sequencing Nucleotide Incorporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nucleotide sequencing technologies face challenges in achieving stable and efficient incorporation of 3'-hydroxy protecting groups that prevent additional nucleotide additions while maintaining the integrity of the polynucleotide chain, and require conditions for removal that do not damage the DNA.

Innovation Solution

Development of nucleotides with 3'-OH acetal or thiocarbamate blocking groups that offer improved stability during synthesis and sequencing, allowing for efficient incorporation and removal under mild conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a 3'-hydroxy protecting group is added to prevent additional nucleotide incorporation, then sequencing accuracy is improved, but the stability of the protecting group during synthesis and sequencing becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequencing accuracyVSAvoidprotecting group stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the protecting group from conventional options to acetal or thiocarbamate groups. This structural parameter change enables the group to maintain stability during synthesis and sequencing while still allowing controlled removal under mild conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between needing the group to be stable yet removable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a protecting group is designed to be easily removable, then sequencing cycle efficiency is improved, but the risk of damaging the polynucleotide chain increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequencing cycle efficiencyVSAvoidpolynucleotide chain damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the protecting group to acetal or thiocarbamate structures, which can be removed under mild conditions (such as mild acid or enzymatic conditions) that do not damage the polynucleotide chain. This enables efficient deprotection while maintaining chain integrity, resolving the contradiction between removal ease and chain safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional protecting groups are used, then synthesis is simpler, but pre-phasing occurs leading to reduced data quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynthesis simplicityVSAvoiddata quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the protecting group structure to acetal or thiocarbamate, which exhibit lower pre-phasing behavior during sequencing. This structural parameter change improves data quality by reducing sequencing errors while the groups remain compatible with standard synthesis protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between synthesis simplicity and data quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3902814B1Nucleosides and nucleotides with 3'-hydroxy blocking groups and their use in polynucleotide sequencing methods
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ILLUMINA CAMBRIDGE LTD
  • EP3902814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3902814B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3902814B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to nucleotide and nucleoside molecules with acetal or thiocarbamate 3ʹ-OH blocking groups. Also provided herein are methods to prepare such nucleotide and nucleoside molecules, and the uses of fully functionalized nucleotides containing the 3ʹ-OH blocking group for sequencing applications.