Automated Nucleic Acid Sequencing With Adaptive Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genetic sequencing techniques are highly time-intensive and costly, limiting the speed and reliability of genomic information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for nucleic acid sequencing that includes automated sequencing operations, quality evaluation, and adaptive control of sequencing procedures based on parameter evaluation, using systems with integrated fluidics, imaging, and quality evaluation circuitry to enhance throughput and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated sequencing operations with integrated fluidics and imaging are implemented, then productivity and throughput are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates fluidics control, imaging, and quality evaluation circuitry into a single automated sequencing system. The fluidics control system merges reagent delivery, sample handling, and reaction control functions, while the imaging system combines optical detection with automated analysis. This consolidation improves throughput by eliminating manual operations while managing complexity through integrated architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated quality evaluation circuitry that continuously monitors sequencing reactions and autonomously adjusts parameters without human intervention. The fluidics control system automatically manages reagent delivery and timing based on real-time feedback from quality evaluation, enabling self-regulating operation that maintains high productivity while reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If quality evaluation and adaptive control are implemented during sequencing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where quality evaluation circuitry continuously monitors sequencing reactions and provides real-time data to the fluidics control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts reaction parameters, reagent delivery, and imaging timing to maintain optimal quality. This closed-loop control improves reliability by detecting and correcting deviations during sequencing while managing complexity through algorithmic control rather than additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sequencing parameters based on real-time quality evaluation. The fluidics control system modifies reagent delivery rates, incubation times, and imaging frequencies adaptively during the sequencing process. This dynamic operation allows the system to respond to changing reaction conditions, maintaining high reliability without requiring a static complex control architecture for all possible scenarios.
3Device complexity
If existing sequencing techniques are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous sequencing operations by integrating automated fluidics control with continuous imaging and quality evaluation. The system maintains uninterrupted reaction monitoring and reagent delivery throughout the sequencing process, eliminating idle time between operations. This continuous operation significantly reduces total sequencing time compared to traditional batch-processing methods while the integration manages complexity through unified control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for sequencing nucleic acids in an automated or semi-automated manner is disclosed. Sample arrays of a multitude of nucleic acid sites are processed in multiple cycles to add nucleotides to the material to be sequenced, detect the nucleotides added to sites, and to de-block the added nucleotides of blocking agents and tags used to identify the last added nucleotide. Multiple parameters of the system are monitored to enable diagnosis and correction of problems as they occur during sequencing of the samples. Quality control routines are run during sequencing to determine quality of samples, and quality of the data collected.