Silane-Treated Substrate for Stable DNA Sequencing Flow Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commercial flow cells for DNA sequencing rely on non-attached gel coatings, which pose challenges such as high costs, compatibility issues with manufacturing processes, stability during storage and shipping, and limited ability to support downstream chemical processing steps like nucleic acid amplification and sequencing.
Innovation Solution
The development of a substrate with a surface treated using a silane or silane derivative comprising optionally substituted unsaturated moieties like cycloalkenes, cycloalkynes, heterocycloalkenes, or heterocycloalkynes, which allows for direct conjugation with functionalized molecules without the need for catalysts or additional cross-linking agents, providing a stable and homogeneous coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-attached gel coating is used in commercial flow cells, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but stability during storage and shipping deteriorates and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gel coating is pre-conjugated to the substrate surface before use, creating a stable covalent bond that prevents degradation during storage and shipping while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward conjugation process
Solution Approach 2:
A silane-based coupling agent serves as an intermediary between the gel coating and substrate, enabling stable covalent bonding without requiring complex manufacturing processes or additional cross-linking agents
2Ease of manufacture
If non-attached gel coating is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ability to support downstream chemical processing steps deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gel coating is pre-conjugated to the substrate with functional groups exposed, enabling direct support for downstream chemical processing steps such as nucleic acid amplification and sequencing without requiring additional attachment steps
Solution Approach 2:
The conjugated gel coating serves multiple functions: it remains stable during storage and shipping while also providing functional groups that support various downstream chemical processing steps, making the substrate versatile for different applications
3Ease of manufacture
If standard silane treatment is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but surface homogeneity and wettability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The silane derivative is modified by incorporating unsaturated moieties with specific electronic properties that enhance surface homogeneity and wettability while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward conjugation chemistry
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 results in higher stability of the substrate surfaces, leading to longer shelf life and reduced surface contamination, along with improved wettability and more homogeneous coatings, enhancing the performance in DNA sequencing and other diagnostic applications.
Implementation Method 1
The surface is treated with a silane or a silane derivative comprising a first plurality of optionally substituted unsaturated moieties selected from cycloalkenes, cycloalkynes, heterocycloalkenes, or heterocycloalkynes covalently bounded to the silicon atoms of the silane or silane derivative
Implementation Method 2
direct conjugation with a functionalized molecule of interest... reacting the functional groups of the functionalized molecule with the unsaturated moieties of the silane or silane derivative
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments described herein relate to a substrate with a surface comprising a silane or a silane derivative covalently attached to optionally substituted cycloalkene or optionally substituted heterocycloalkene for direct conjugation with a functionalized molecule of interest, such as a polymer, a hydrogel, an amino acid, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, a peptide, a polynucleotide, or a protein. In some embodiments, the silane or silane derivative contains optionally substituted norbornene or norbornene derivatives. Method for preparing a functionalized surface and the use in DNA sequencing and other diagnostic applications are also disclosed.