Hydrogel beads for sequencing

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Next generation sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool that allows for detection of potential risk factors as well as present maladies, and therefore become a disruptive tool in human diagnostics. Ion Torrent (part of Thermo Fisher Scientific) has developed a next generation sequencing (NGS) method where their semiconductor technology enables massive parallel sequencing. Copies of single stranded DNA are embedded in each of the million microwells on the chip. The wells function as small pH-meters, and translates chemical encoded information to digital information when a nucleotide flooded over the chip binds to the unpaired nucleotide on the single stranded DNA in the well. Hydrogel beads produced by Life Technologies AS are crucial for secure the required number of DNA in each well. Ion Torrent sequencing systems target various applications. Each application will have a customized chip, with specifically designed well dimensions and a tailormade hydrogel bead to anchor the genetic material. The chosen workflow of the system and application will impact the bead requirements to secure optimized sequencing performance and quality.