Apparatus for synthesizing oligonucleotides and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A reactor for synthesizing oligonucleotides comprising:
- a vessel configured to contain a solid support, the vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
a piston operatively arranged to reciprocate with the vessel;
an actuator coupled to the piston;
a monitor configured to at least periodically adjust the actuator during a synthesis process to maintain the piston substantially in contact with the solid support; and
at least one sensor located upstream of the vessel outlet and in communication with the vessel, each sensor configured to generate an output to the monitor;
wherein the monitor adjusts the actuator according to the output from the at least one sensor or alternatively the monitor adjusts the actuator according to archival sensor output from a previous synthesis process.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for synthesizing oligonucleotides wherein a reaction zone has a variable volume based on the position of a piston, and the piston is adjusted to control the amount of headspace above solid support in the reaction zone. Methods and apparatus that limit the size or existence of the headspace are described.
7 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A reactor for synthesizing oligonucleotides comprising:
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a vessel configured to contain a solid support, the vessel having an inlet and an outlet; a piston operatively arranged to reciprocate with the vessel; an actuator coupled to the piston; a monitor configured to at least periodically adjust the actuator during a synthesis process to maintain the piston substantially in contact with the solid support; and at least one sensor located upstream of the vessel outlet and in communication with the vessel, each sensor configured to generate an output to the monitor; wherein the monitor adjusts the actuator according to the output from the at least one sensor or alternatively the monitor adjusts the actuator according to archival sensor output from a previous synthesis process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A synthesizer comprising:
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a vessel configured to contain a granular polymeric material, the vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the vessel further configured to receive a fluid through the inlet; a piston operatively arranged to reciprocate with the vessel; an actuator coupled to the piston; a monitor configured to at least periodically adjust the actuator during a synthesis process to maintain the piston within a predetermined distance from the granular polymeric material; and at least one sensor located upstream of the vessel outlet and in communication with the vessel, each sensor configured to generate an output to the monitor; wherein the monitor adjusts the actuator according to the output from the at least one sensor or alternatively the monitor adjusts the actuator according to archival sensor output from a previous synthesis process. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification