Segmented Flow Cells for Scalable Nucleic Acid Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-throughput sequencing systems are inefficient for smaller sequencing projects, requiring users to run entire flow cells regardless of project size, leading to waste and higher costs for smaller jobs, and favoring larger projects over smaller ones.
Innovation Solution
The development of a sequencing system that allows for greater flexibility by scaling down the reaction chamber or flow cell size and using multiple smaller flow cells, enabling researchers to choose the size of their projects and scale reagent usage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single large flow cell is used for high-throughput sequencing, then sequencing throughput and productivity are improved, but flexibility and adaptability for smaller projects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large flow cell into multiple smaller flow cells (e.g., 8 flow cells of 100k spots each instead of one flow cell with 800k spots). This segmentation allows users to select only the number of flow cells needed for their specific project size, improving adaptability while maintaining high throughput when multiple flow cells are used simultaneously. The system can handle anything from a single small flow cell to multiple large flow cells depending on project requirements.
2Device complexity
If reagents are delivered to a single flow cell station, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for varying project sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic reagent delivery system where the number of reagent delivery stations and their configuration can be adjusted based on the number of flow cells being used. The system can operate with a single reagent delivery station for one flow cell or scale up to multiple stations when multiple flow cells are processed simultaneously. This dynamic adaptability allows the same instrument to efficiently handle both small single-flow-cell projects and large multi-flow-cell projects without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If entire flow cells must be run regardless of project size, then sequencing completeness is improved, but waste and cost increase for smaller projects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables partial action by allowing users to run only the necessary number of flow cells based on project requirements. Instead of forcing completion of an entire large flow cell (800k spots) when only a small portion is needed, the system allows running one or more smaller flow cells (100k spots each) to match the actual sequencing需求. This eliminates reagent waste while ensuring complete sequencing coverage for the selected flow cells, as each flow cell is fully processed but only the necessary number is activated.
4Productivity
If large sequencing projects are favored due to cost-effectiveness, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but accessibility for average researchers with smaller projects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scaling parameter from fixed large flow cells to variable numbers of smaller flow cells. By offering flow cells with 100k spots instead of requiring 800k spot flow cells, the system allows researchers to scale their sequencing capacity precisely to their project needs (1-8 flow cells). This parameter change makes the system accessible to average researchers with smaller projects while maintaining high resource utilization efficiency, as each flow cell uses optimized reagent volumes and the instrument can efficiently process any number of flow cells from 1 to 8 simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides methods and compositions, including, without limitation, algorithms, computer readable media, computer programs, apparatus, and systems for determining the identity of nucleic acids in nucleotide sequences using, for example, data obtained from sequencing by synthesis methods. A plurality of smaller flow cells is employed, each with a relatively small area to be imaged, in order to provide greater flexibility and efficiency.