Substrate Capture Primers for Monoclonal Cluster Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cluster amplification methods for polynucleotides in genetic sequencing often result in polyclonal clusters, which can hinder sequencing accuracy due to mixed signals from different polynucleotides, making it difficult to achieve monoclonal clusters suitable for reliable sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) analysis.

Innovation Solution

The use of substrates with distinct regions having capture primers and orthogonal capture primers of varying lengths, along with removable blocking groups, to selectively amplify target polynucleotides, promoting monoclonality by inhibiting amplification of non-target polynucleotides and enhancing the amplification of specific sequences, thereby creating functionally monoclonal clusters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If standard cluster amplification methods are used, then amplification efficiency is improved, but polyclonality increases reducing sequencing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplification efficiencyVSAvoidsequencing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into first and second regions with different primer configurations. The first region has capture primers with first adapters, while the second region has capture primers with second adapters. This local differentiation ensures that only target polynucleotides with complementary adapters in each region are amplified, reducing polyclonality while maintaining amplification efficiency in each localized area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The amplification process is segmented into two distinct regions on the substrate, each performing a specialized function. The first region captures and amplifies target polynucleotides with first adapters, while the second region captures and amplifies target polynucleotides with second adapters. This segmentation prevents mixed signals from different polynucleotide populations, improving sequencing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If capture primers of uniform length are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but selective amplification capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprimer fabrication simplicityVSAvoidselective amplification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Capture primers in the first region are designed with a first length optimized for binding to target polynucleotides with first adapters, while capture primers in the second region are designed with a second length optimized for binding to target polynucleotides with second adapters. This local customization of primer length provides selective amplification capability for different target populations while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly enhances the monoclonality of clusters, improving sequencing accuracy by ensuring that a majority of the signal comes from a single polynucleotide, thus facilitating reliable sequencing, even in complex substrate environments.

Implementation Method 1

The first adapter of a first one of the target polynucleotides is hybridized to a first one of the orthogonal capture primers of the first plurality of orthogonal capture primers, or the second adapter of the first one of the target polynucleotides is hybridized to a first one of the capture primers of the second plurality of capture primers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHybridization:

Implementation Method 2

Cycles of amplification are performed to form clusters on the surface around each seed. The clusters include copies, and complementary copies, of the seed polynucleotides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPCR amplification:

Data Source

PatentEP4211269B1Compositions and methods for amplifying polynucleotides
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 ILLUMINA INC
  • EP4211269B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4211269B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4211269B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A composition for amplifying a polynucleotide is provided that includes a substrate comprising a first region and a second region. A first plurality of capture primers is coupled to the first region of the substrate. A second plurality of capture primers is coupled to the second region of the substrate. The capture primers of the second plurality of capture primers are longer than the capture primers of the first plurality of capture primers. A first plurality of orthogonal capture primers are coupled to the first region of the substrate. A second plurality of orthogonal capture primers are coupled to the second region of the substrate. The orthogonal capture primers of the second plurality of orthogonal capture primers are shorter than the orthogonal capture primers of the first plurality of orthogonal capture primers.