Microfluidic Nucleic Acid Storage for Automated Parallel Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomolecule-based information storage systems lack scalability, automation, and accuracy, necessitating improved methods for generating biomolecules for efficient data storage.
Innovation Solution
Methods involving the synthesis of polynucleotides with predetermined sequences on a surface, utilizing various forces for transfer and encoding information, along with cleavage regions for error correction, and encryption techniques to ensure high accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DNA synthesis is performed using flow cell reactors and in situ microarray platform, then storage capacity and stability are improved, but scalability and automation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical DNA synthesis methods with a microfluidic-based system that uses controlled fluid flow to deliver nucleotides to synthesis sites. This substitution enables automated, precise control of the synthesis process while maintaining the stability benefits of established DNA storage methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microfluidic channels as an intermediary between the control system and the DNA synthesis sites. This intermediary system enables automated delivery of reagents and control of synthesis conditions, bridging the gap between manual synthesis methods and fully automated systems.
2Reliability
If DNA synthesis is performed using flow cell reactors and in situ microarray platform, then storage capacity and stability are improved, but manufacturing accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical synthesis control with microfluidic-based precise delivery systems that can control reagent flow at the nanoliter scale. This enables much higher precision in controlling synthesis conditions and reducing errors in DNA sequence generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs microfluidic control to precisely adjust parameters such as nucleotide concentration, flow rate, and reaction time during synthesis. By dynamically controlling these parameters, the system achieves higher manufacturing precision while maintaining the stability of DNA storage.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional DNA synthesis methods are used, then process simplicity is maintained, but productivity and throughput are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the DNA synthesis process into multiple parallel reaction sites within the microfluidic device. Each site can independently synthesize DNA sequences, enabling simultaneous production of multiple sequences and dramatically increasing throughput while maintaining relatively simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear or batch synthesis processes to a two-dimensional microarray-based parallel synthesis architecture. This dimensional change allows hundreds or thousands of DNA sequences to be synthesized simultaneously across the microarray surface, greatly enhancing productivity.
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
Enables high-capacity, accurate, and automated nucleic acid-based data storage with increased throughput and reduced turnaround time, supporting storage of large amounts of digital information such as gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes.
Implementation Method 1
selectively transferring comprises application of a force, wherein the force is laminar pressure, capillary pressure, slip flow pressure, magnetic force, electrostatic force
Implementation Method 2
flooding the polynucleotides through the pressure nozzle
Implementation Method 3
selectively transferring comprises application of a force, wherein the force is laminar pressure, capillary pressure, slip flow pressure, magnetic force, electrostatic force, peristaltic force, sound waves, vibrational force, centripetal force, centrifugal force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Provided herein are compositions, devices, systems and methods for the generation and use of biomolecule-based information for storage. Additionally, devices described herein for de novo synthesis of nucleic acids encoding information related to the original source information may be rigid or flexible material. Further described herein are highly efficient methods for long term data storage with 100% accuracy in the retention of information. Also provided herein are methods and systems for efficient transfer of preselected polynucleotides from a storage structure for reading stored information.