Sequencing Chip Surface Layout for Stable Specific DNA Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequencing chips face issues with the stability and reliability of their monomolecular layers, which can be damaged during assembly or usage, affecting sequencing performance and increasing costs due to reduced yield and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sequencing chip structure featuring alternately arranged patterned metal oxide and silicon oxide regions on a silicon wafer, with transition metal oxide regions modified with amino groups and silicon oxide regions modified with polyethylene glycol to enhance specific binding and reduce non-specific adsorption, improving stability and sequencing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a microarray is used for genetic analysis, then high-throughput screening is achieved, but the system requires complex equipment and cannot be integrated into portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the microarray chip is integrated within a portable detection device. The chip contains multiple assay regions with microwells that hold reagent cartridges, creating a hierarchical nesting arrangement that packs high-throughput functionality into a compact form factor suitable for portable deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The microarray chip is designed with universal applicability through standardized assay regions that can perform multiple different genetic analyses. The chip structure accommodates various reagent cartridges and detection methods, enabling a single device to serve multiple diagnostic functions rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each test
2Productivity
If reagents are stored in liquid form for ready use, then quick access is achieved, but bacterial growth and reagent degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of reagents from liquid to lyophilized (freeze-dried) form for storage. This parameter change preserves reagent stability by preventing bacterial growth and degradation during storage, while the lyophilized reagents can be rapidly reconstituted to liquid form immediately before use through addition of buffer or solvent, thus maintaining quick access
Solution Approach 2:
The reagents are prepared in advance by lyophilization, which removes water and puts the reagents in a stable, dormant state for long-term storage. This preliminary action prevents degradation before use, and the reconstitution step activates the reagents just in time for the assay, combining long-term stability with immediate availability
3Device complexity
If manual liquid handling is used for reagent transfer, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but cross-contamination and evaporation errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical liquid handling with an automated liquid dispensing system integrated into the portable device. This substitution eliminates cross-contamination and evaporation errors by providing controlled, automated transfer of liquids, while the system remains relatively simple in design, using basic pumping and dispensing mechanisms rather than complex robotic systems
4Quantity of substance
If large volume reagents are used, then sufficient reagent quantity is ensured, but device portability and miniaturization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional microarray surfaces to three-dimensional microfluidic channels and microwells with vertical depth. This dimensional change allows significantly more reagent volume to be packed into a compact footprint by utilizing the vertical dimension of microwells and stacked reagent cartridges, thereby increasing reagent quantity without proportionally increasing device volume
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 new chip design enhances data output efficiency, increases sequencing chip output, and reduces costs by providing a more stable and reliable sequencing process with improved signal intensity and resistance to harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
a barcode reader configured to scan a barcode on the sequencing chip and decode the barcode to retrieve the stored sequence information
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Provided are a chip matrix, a sequencing chip, and a manufacturing method thereof. The chip matrix includes: a wafer layer (111), the wafer layer (111) having cutting lines that are evenly distributed thereon; a first silicon oxide layer (112), the first silicon oxide layer (112) being made of silicon oxide and formed on an upper surface of the wafer layer (111); a transition metal oxide layer (113), the transition metal oxide layer (113) being made of transition metal oxide and formed on an upper surface of the first silicon oxide layer (112). The chip matrix has characteristics such as resistances against high temperature, high humidity and other harsh environments. Meanwhile, by changing pH, surfactant and other components of a solution containing sequences to be sequenced, a surface functional region of the chip matrix can specifically adsorb a sequence to be sequenced.