Microfabricated Reactor Arrays for DNA Fragment Analysis

The success of large scale sequencing projects and genomic-based drug development firmdepends on increasing the speed and reducing the cost of DNA sequencing. This process israte-determining in many molecular biology research programs. Numerous groups are engaged in seekingalternatives to Sanger sequencing; others are focused on automating the process using large scalerobotics. By taking advantage of recent advances in microfabrication, separation technology andintegrated optics, we have the means to combine all of the required processing steps from samplepreparation to sequence analysis, in a single integrated device. In Phase I, we will examine the feasibilityof constructing the upstream processor for such a device to work in conjunction with our existingmicrofabricated separation modules and imaging optics. Once integrated, these three components willproduce a parallel device with the ability to simultaneously determine the primary sequence of 96 DNAsamples plucked from bacterial colonies in less than 4 hours. The combination of molecular biology,engineering, and optical spectroscopy skills present at CuraGen coupled with the expertise inmicrofabrication provided by our consultant base puts us in a unique position to conceive and carry outthis effort.