Co-located Polymer Arrays Using Orthogonal Protecting Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating microarrays of nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins lack control over the co-location of polymers with different sequences on substrates, leading to instability and non-functional molecules due to randomized attachment procedures, which hinders high-throughput analysis and drug discovery applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of two-arm building blocks with orthogonal protecting groups allows for the controlled synthesis of co-located polymers, such as complementary double-stranded DNA, on substrates, enabling precise attachment and orientation, thereby enhancing stability and functionality of the arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If randomized attachment procedures are used to create microarrays, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the stability and functionality of the molecules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the attachment process into two independent arms of building blocks, where each arm can be selectively activated to attach specific polymers. This segmentation allows controlled co-location of different polymers while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using orthogonal protecting groups on different arms of building blocks, allowing selective activation at specific locations. This enables precise control over which polymer attaches to which location, improving stability and functionality while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated selective activation.
2Ease of manufacture
If randomized attachment procedures are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the co-location control of polymers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synthesis process into independent arm activations, allowing precise control over polymer co-location. Each arm can be selectively activated to place specific polymers at predetermined locations, achieving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-attaching building blocks with orthogonal protecting groups before polymer synthesis. This preliminary arrangement of building blocks with different protecting groups enables precise control over polymer co-location during subsequent automated synthesis steps.
3Productivity
If automated synthesis is implemented, then productivity increases, but the control over polymer orientation and co-location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated synthesis process into independent arm activations with orthogonal protecting groups. This segmentation enables automated high-throughput production while maintaining precise control over polymer orientation and co-location through programmed selective activation of specific arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by employing orthogonal protecting groups that can be selectively removed under different conditions. This allows automated synthesis systems to precisely control polymer orientation and co-location by changing activation parameters (such as pH, temperature, or chemical conditions) for different arms at different times.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide substrates having controllably co-located polymers of different sequences. Methods are provided that allow the fabrication of arrays of polymers on a substrate having controllably co-located polymers in regions of the array. For example, polymers of nucleic acids and peptides having different sequences and or compositions can be co-located within a region of a substrate. Also provided are arrays of DNA polymers wherein polymers having two different sequences are co-located within a region of an array. The co-located DNA polymers can comprise complementary DNA that is able to hybridize and form double stranded DNA. Arrays having regions comprising double stranded DNA are provided.