Orthogonal Polymer Flow Cell for Paired-End Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow cells for nucleic acid sequencing lack the ability to simultaneously apply and pattern orthogonal polymers with distinct functional groups for efficient primer attachment, limiting sequencing capabilities and workflow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of a flow cell with orthogonal polymers that have different functional groups for substrate and primer set attachment, allowing for simultaneous application and patterning across the substrate, enabling expanded sequencing capabilities and streamlined manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flow cells use single-type polymer coatings, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the sequencing capabilities are limited and workflow efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cell surface is divided into distinct regions, each coated with a specific polymer type having different functional groups. This segmentation allows different primer sets to be attached to different regions, enabling simultaneous paired-end sequencing while maintaining manageable manufacturing processes through modular polymer application
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is designed with multiple polymer types that have different functional groups, allowing the same flow cell structure to support multiple primer sets and sequencing configurations. This multi-functionality enables the flow cell to perform both single-end and paired-end sequencing without requiring separate devices
2Manufacturing precision
If orthogonal polymers are applied sequentially, then each polymer can be precisely patterned, but the manufacturing workflow becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple polymer application steps are merged into a single simultaneous application process. The flow cell manufacturing process applies orthogonal polymers with different functional groups in one coordinated step, achieving precise spatial patterning while dramatically reducing manufacturing time and complexity compared to sequential application methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If orthogonal polymers with different functional groups are used, then multiple primer sets can be attached simultaneously, but the polymer synthesis and application process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the flow cell are coated with polymers having specific functional groups tailored to local requirements. This local quality approach allows optimized primer attachment chemistry in different regions while using standardized polymer synthesis methods, balancing versatility with manufacturing ease
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a flow cell includes a substrate and a pattern of two different silanes on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. A first polymer is attached to a first of the two different silanes and a second polymer is attached to a second of the two different silanes. The first and second polymers respectively include a first functional group and a second functional group of a functional group pair, the functional group pair being selected from the group consisting of an activated ester functional group and an azide functional group, a tetrazine functional group and an activated ester functional group, and a tetrazine functional group and an azide functional group. A first primer set is grafted to the first polymer and a second primer set is grafted to the second polymer. The first and second primer sets are different.