Multi-Arm Dendritic Hydrogel for Consistent Sequencing After Dry Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogels used in molecular sequencing and medical applications face challenges in maintaining consistent sequencing performance and molecular weight distribution, especially when exposed to dry storage conditions, leading to undesirable interactions between polymer strands.
Innovation Solution
A multi-arm polymeric hydrogel is developed with a dendritic core and specific acrylamide monomers, allowing for controlled cross-linking and narrow molecular weight distribution, reducing hydrogen bonding and maintaining sequencing performance even after dry storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrogels are used in molecular sequencing, then basic sequencing function is achieved, but sequencing performance becomes inconsistent and molecular weight distribution broadens after dry storage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel is designed with a multi-arm dendritic core structure where polymer chains radiate from a central core in discrete arms. This segmentation prevents inter-molecular interactions between separate polymer entities, maintaining consistent molecular weight distribution and sequencing performance even after dry storage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces specific functional groups (thiocarbonylthio groups) at localized positions within the polymer structure, particularly at the ends of dendritic arms. This local functionalization enables controlled cross-linking and stabilizes the polymer architecture, preventing degradation and maintaining molecular weight consistency during storage.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymer strands are stored in dry conditions, then storage convenience is improved, but hydrogen bonding between strands increases causing undesirable interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful hydrogen bonding interactions into a beneficial controlled cross-linking mechanism. By introducing thiocarbonylthio groups that undergo specific chemical reactions, the natural tendency of polymer strands to interact through hydrogen bonding is redirected into forming stable, controlled cross-links that enhance structural integrity during dry storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by incorporating specific functional groups (thiocarbonylthio, acrylamide monomers) that alter the interaction characteristics between polymer strands. These parameter changes prevent undesirable hydrogen bonding while enabling controlled cross-linking, maintaining polymer stability in dry storage conditions.
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 hydrogel exhibits improved sequencing metrics and consistent performance across batches, with dispersity less than 2.5, ensuring reliable molecular analysis and reduced inter-molecular interactions during dry storage.
Implementation Method 1
reducing hydrogen bonding and maintaining sequencing performance even after dry storage
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogel includes a dendritic core with 2 to 30 arms, and first and second acrylamide monomers incorporated into each arm. The first acrylamide monomer is: (I), wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from an alkyl, an alkylamino, an alkylamido, an alkylthio, an aryl, a glycol, and optionally substituted variants thereof; and the second acrylamide monomer is: (II), wherein R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or an alkyl; L is a linker including a linear chain of 2 to 20 atoms selected from carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and optional substituents on the carbon and any nitrogen atoms; A is an N substituted amide: (III), where R5 is hydrogen or an alkyl; E is a linear chain of 1 to 4 atom(s) selected from carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, and optional substituents on the carbon and any nitrogen atoms; and Z is an optional nitrogen containing heterocycle.