Flow Cell Protective Coatings for Stable Primer Hybridization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological arrays face challenges in maintaining the stability and integrity of surface chemistry during manufacturing, assembly, shipping, and long-term storage, which can lead to chemical or physical degradation and contamination, affecting the reliability and performance of genetic sequencing processes.
Innovation Solution
A flow cell design featuring a substrate with a functionalized polymer coating layer and a water-soluble protective coating that covers the surface chemistry, allowing for the primer to be exposed and hybridize with target oligonucleotides after the coating is removed, thereby protecting the surface chemistry during processing and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface chemistry is exposed during manufacturing and storage, then hybridization functionality is accessible, but the surface chemistry degrades chemically or physically
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble protective coating is applied to the surface chemistry before manufacturing, assembly, shipping, and storage. This preliminary protective action prevents degradation during these processes. The coating is then removed (e.g., by washing with water) just before use to expose the surface chemistry for primer hybridization, ensuring both stability during storage and accessibility during operation.
2Reliability
If surface chemistry is protected during storage, then degradation is prevented, but contamination can still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble protective coating serves as an intermediary barrier between the surface chemistry and the external environment. It physically shields the surface chemistry from contaminants during manufacturing, assembly, shipping, and storage. The coating can be easily removed by washing with water to expose the clean, protected surface chemistry for hybridization, thus preventing both degradation and contamination.
3Device complexity
If no protective coating is used, then the flow cell structure is simple, but the surface chemistry loses functionality over time
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble protective coating is introduced to the flow cell structure to protect the surface chemistry during manufacturing, assembly, shipping, and storage. This coating can be easily removed by washing with water to expose the surface chemistry for primer hybridization. The addition of this removable coating layer extends the shelf life and maintains the functionality of the surface chemistry without significantly complicating the overall flow cell structure.
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
The protective coating maintains the stability and functionality of the surface chemistry, enhancing the shelf life, temperature tolerance, and durability of the flow cell, ensuring reliable genetic sequencing results.
Implementation Method 1
A water-soluble protective coating covers the surface chemistry on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a functionalized polymer coating layer covalently bound to the exposed surface of the substrate through a chemical group on the exposed surface
Implementation Method 3
a primer grafted to the functionalized polymer coating layer due to reaction of the primer with a second reactive group of the functionalized polymer coating layer
Implementation Method 4
removing the water-soluble protective coating by exposing the water-soluble protective coating to water
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a method includes providing a substrate with an exposed surface comprising a first chemical group, wherein the providing optionally comprises modifying the exposed surface of the substrate to incorporate the first chemical group; reacting the first chemical group with a first reactive group of a functionalized polymer molecule to form a functionalized polymer coating layer covalently bound to the exposed surface of the substrate; grafting a primer to the functionalized polymer coating layer by reacting the primer with a second reactive group of the functionalized polymer coating layer; and forming a water-soluble protective coating on the primer and the functionalized polymer coating layer. Examples of flow cells incorporating examples of the water-soluble protective coating are also disclosed herein.