Modular Flow Cells for Flexible Sequencing Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-throughput sequencing technologies are costly and inconvenient for smaller-scale sequencing projects, as they require running entire large flow cells, leading to wastefulness and higher costs for smaller jobs, and often prioritize larger projects over smaller ones.
Innovation Solution
The use of modular flow cells with multiple lanes or channels, allowing for flexible sequencing by enabling researchers to choose the size of their projects and scale reagent usage, with prefilled reagent cartridges matching the flow cell output capacity, and the ability to activate or deactivate lanes as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single large flow cell is used for high-throughput sequencing, then sequencing capacity and throughput are improved, but cost and waste increase for smaller sequencing projects
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cell is divided into multiple independent lanes (e.g., 4 lanes) that can be individually activated or deactivated. Each lane can be independently controlled for reagent delivery and imaging, allowing users to run only the number of lanes needed for their project size, thereby reducing reagent consumption and waste for smaller sequencing jobs while maintaining high throughput capability when all lanes are activated
2Productivity
If a single large flow cell is used, then high throughput sequencing is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability for different project sizes are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including independently controllable valving for each lane, selective reagent delivery to specific lanes, and configurable imaging parameters that can be adjusted based on the number of active lanes. This dynamic adaptability allows the same flow cell to efficiently handle projects of varying sizes from single-lane to multi-lane configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same physical device to serve different sequencing scale requirements. Through software control and configurable lane activation, a single flow cell can function as a small-scale, medium-scale, or large-scale sequencing instrument depending on project needs, eliminating the requirement for separate instruments for different project sizes
3Productivity
If entire large flow cells must be run, then high throughput is maintained, but time and cost efficiency for smaller projects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables partial action by allowing users to activate only the necessary number of lanes for their project size rather than requiring full flow cell utilization. This partial utilization approach reduces reagent consumption, decreases sequencing run time for smaller projects, and eliminates the need to wait for larger projects to accumulate before running smaller ones, thereby improving time efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Modular flow cells, devices with modular flow cells, and methods of sequencing using modular flow cells, as well as systems and kits including modular flow cells, are described, permitting sequencing wherein less than the full capacity for sequencing is desired.