Surface-Bound Oligonucleotides for High-Density Sequencing Library Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for enriching template nucleic acids on solid surfaces for next-generation sequencing face challenges in achieving high primer density and efficient hybridization, which are crucial for effective sequencing library generation, especially when dealing with complex mixtures of sequences.

Innovation Solution

The method involves hybridizing template nucleic acids to oligonucleotides bound to a solid surface with at least two functional sequence elements, extending these oligonucleotides to form double strands, optionally modifying them, and performing 3' truncation of unused oligonucleotides to expose additional functional sequences for downstream applications, allowing for high-density primer utilization and sequential functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If oligonucleotides with at least two functional sequence elements are used on solid surface, then the functionality and versatility of the sequencing library generation is improved, but the device complexity and process difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality of oligonucleotidesVSAvoidcomplexity of oligonucleotide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oligonucleotides are designed with at least two functional sequence elements: a first sequence element for hybridization to template nucleic acids and a second sequence element for downstream applications such as amplification or sequencing. This multi-functional design allows a single oligonucleotide to perform multiple roles in the sequencing workflow, improving versatility while managing complexity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The oligonucleotide is divided into distinct functional segments (first sequence element and second sequence element), where each segment performs a specific function. This segmentation allows for modular design and optimization of each functional element independently, making the complex multi-functional oligonucleotide more manageable and easier to design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If 3' truncation is performed on unused oligonucleotides, then the precision of sequence-specific enrichment is improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecificity of template enrichmentVSAvoidcomplexity of enrichment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs hybridization of template nucleic acids to the first sequence element of the oligonucleotides before performing the 3' truncation. This preliminary hybridization ensures that only oligonucleotides that have successfully bound to their target templates undergo truncation, maintaining specificity while enabling the subsequent activation of the second functional sequence element for downstream applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient enrichment and amplification of template nucleic acids, improving the generation of sequencing libraries by maintaining high primer density and enabling the use of different functionalities within surface-bound oligonucleotides, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of next-generation sequencing.

Implementation Method 1

hybridizing template nucleic acids to oligonucleotides bound to a solid surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHybridization:

Implementation Method 2

extending the surface bound oligonucleotides hybridized to the template nucleic acids to form a double strand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDNA replication:

Data Source

PatentEP3589752B1Method for generating a sequencing library
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 QIAGEN GMBH
  • EP3589752B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3589752B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3589752B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

The present invention provides new methods for enriching template nucleic acids on solid surface and for generating sequencing libraries which are particularly useful in molecular biology applications, such as next generation sequencing (NGS). The methods of the invention employ oligonucleotides bound to a solid surface comprising at least two functional sequence elements. The method is useful in applications where the density of the surface bound oligonucleotide is important/beneficial and/or where consecutive steps of an application require different sequences.