Reusable Sensor Array for High Efficiency Electronic Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-throughput DNA sequencing systems are cumbersome, expensive, and have limited throughput, with existing sensors being one-time use disposables that increase costs and limit complexity due to manufacturing for single-use applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor array with particles where nucleic acid molecules attached to primers undergo polymerization reactions, with impedance, charge, or conductivity measurements within a Debye length to identify nucleotide incorporation events, allowing for sequencing of nucleic acid strands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical detection systems are used for DNA sequencing, then detection capability is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with electronic sensors that directly measure electrical properties (impedance, charge, conductivity) of nucleic acid molecules during polymerization. This substitution eliminates the need for complex optical components, light sources, and detection systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates the detection function to the sensor level, where individual sensors detect nucleotide incorporation events directly at the particle surface. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing intermediate optical components and reducing the complexity of the detection pathway.
2Ease of manufacture
If one-time use disposable sensors are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables sensor recovery and reuse by designing sensors that can withstand multiple sequencing runs. After use, sensors are cleaned and regenerated to remove bound nucleic acid molecules, allowing them to be reused for subsequent sequencing reactions. This approach eliminates the need for disposable sensors, reducing cost per use while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized sensor designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable sensors with limited complexity are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but sequencing throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal sensors with standardized interfaces and detection capabilities that can handle complex sequencing applications. These sensors incorporate multiple functional elements (e.g., different electrode configurations, surface treatments) that enable them to perform various sequencing tasks, thereby increasing throughput without requiring specialized disposable sensors for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sensor arrays that can be reconfigured or activated in different patterns to handle varying sequencing demands. The system can dynamically adjust the number of active sensors, their arrangement, and detection parameters to optimize throughput for different experimental conditions, overcoming the limitations of static disposable sensors.
4Measurement precision
If steady state signal measurement within Debye length is used, then sensitivity is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple identical sensors in parallel arrays to achieve high sensitivity through signal averaging and redundancy. Each sensor independently measures steady state signals within the Debye length, and the collective data from many sensors provides robust, high-sensitivity measurements without requiring complex individual sensor designs or measurement protocols.
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
This approach enables sensitive, cost-effective, and highly parallel sequencing reactions, potentially reducing the expense and improving the complexity of genetic and biological analysis systems.
Implementation Method 1
measure steady state signals indicative of impedance, charge, or conductivity change within a Debye length of the individual particle or the nucleic acid molecule
Implementation Method 2
measure steady state signals indicative of impedance, charge, or conductivity change within a Debye length
Implementation Method 3
measure steady state signals indicative of impedance, charge, or conductivity change within a Debye length of the individual particle or the nucleic acid molecule
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for high efficiency electronic sequencing of nucleic acids and molecular detection.