Microfluidic Oligonucleotide Synthesis With Disposable Reagent Chips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing oligonucleotides in laboratory settings are hindered by the need for large, costly equipment and external manufacturers, leading to delays, increased costs, and inefficiencies, particularly in small and medium-sized laboratories, where timely and cost-effective synthesis of small amounts of oligonucleotides is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a reagent container receptacle, an exchangeable microfluid chip, fluid connecting means, and a control device, which allows for the controlled conveyance of reagents into a synthesis chamber, enabling efficient synthesis of oligonucleotides within a compact and user-friendly system, eliminating the need for external manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large-scale DNA synthesizers are used in laboratories, then oligonucleotide synthesis capability is provided, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the synthesis system into separate modular components: a reusable control unit and disposable microfluidic chips. Each chip is pre-filled with reagents and contains all necessary synthesis components, allowing the main device to remain compact while maintaining full synthesis functionality through chip replacement rather than device expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the reagent storage and synthesis reaction components into separate disposable microfluidic chips that are pre-filled during manufacturing. This removes the need for large on-site reagent storage systems and complex reagent management infrastructure, significantly reducing the size and complexity of the laboratory synthesizer while preserving synthesis capability.
2Ease of operation
If external manufacturers are used for oligonucleotide synthesis, then specialized equipment requirements are reduced, but time delays and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable microfluidic chips that are pre-filled with reagents during manufacturing. These single-use chips eliminate the need for complex, expensive, continuously-operating synthesizers while enabling laboratories to perform syntheses in-house immediately, eliminating outsourcing delays without requiring specialized infrastructure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous operation of DNA synthesizer is maintained, then reagent lifespan is optimized, but organic solution waste increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the model of continuous operation with disposable, pre-filled microfluidic chips. Each chip contains precisely the amount of reagents needed for its specific synthesis task, eliminating waste from continuous operation while maintaining reagent effectiveness. Used chips are discarded after a single use, preventing both waste accumulation and reagent degradation from prolonged storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to discard used microfluidic chips after a single synthesis operation rather than attempting to recover or reuse reagents. This approach simplifies waste management compared to large synthesizers that generate liters of organic waste requiring specialized disposal, while the modular chip design allows for more efficient reagent utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for synthesising oligonucleotides, comprising: a reagent container receptacle (1) for holding a reagent container support (17) comprising multiple reagent containers (18); an exchangeable microfluid chip (10) comprising a synthesis chamber, fluid connectors and microfluid valves; a control device (5); fluid connecting means (2); wherein the device can be loaded with the microfluid chip (10) and the reagent container support (17) when in a loading position; a chip receptacle (3). To allow cost-effective and prompt synthesis even of small amounts of oligonucleotides, the invention provides for an actuator device (6) to be provided, with which the reagent container receptacle (1), the microfluid chip (10) and the fluid connecting means (2) can be brought from the loading position to an operating position, in which operating position the reagent container receptacle (1), the chip receptacle (3) and the fluid connecting means (2) are positioned relative to each other such that reagents can be conveyed out of the reagent containers (18) towards the synthesis chamber (14) depending on the valve position of the microfluid valves.