Systems and methods for barcoding nucleic acids

US10596541B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US
• Vilnius University · LT

Inventors

• David A. Weitz · Bolton, US
• Allon Moshe Klein · Boston, US
• Ilke Akartuna · Cambridge, US
• Linas Mazutis · Vilnius, LT
• Marc W. Kirschner · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 3, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2300/0883
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the nucleic acids may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together. In some cases, the unique sequences may be incorporated into individual droplets using particles and attached to nucleic acids contained within the droplets (for example, released from lysed cells). In some cases, the barcodes may be used to distinguish tens, hundreds, or even thousands of nucleic acids, e.g., arising from different cells or other sources.