Particle-assisted nucleic acid sequencing

US8748094B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• David A. Weitz · Bolton, US
• Adam R. Abate · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 10, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 7, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2200/10
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention generally relates to particle-assisted nucleic acid sequencing. In some embodiments, sequencing may be performed in a microfluidic device, which can offer desirable properties, for example, minimal use of reagents, facile scale-up, and/or high throughput. In one embodiment, a target nucleic acid may be exposed to particles having nucleic acid probes. By determining the binding of the particles to the target nucleic acid, the sequence of the target nucleic acid (or at least a portion of the target nucleic acid) can be determined. The target nucleic acid may be encapsulated within a fluidic droplet with the particles having nucleic acid probes, in certain instances. In some cases, the sequence of the target nucleic acid may be determined, based on binding of the particles, using sequencing by hybridization (SBH) algorithms or other known techniques.