Automated Microfluidic Sample Prep of High Molecular Weight Plant DNA for Long-Read Sequencing

Inso Biosciences is developing hardware systems and instruments to streamline biological samplehandling and preparation for next-generation sequencing and genomic analysis. Inso's microfluidic- based platform enables extraction and purification of high-molecular-weight (HMW) DNA fordownstream genomic applications such as long-read sequencing. DNA sample prep is currently acritical bottleneck for plant genomic analyses for agricultural science R&D. By improving thequality efficiency speed and cost-effectiveness of DNA sample preparation from plants for long- read sequencing Inso's technology will allow agriscience companies to develop new plant varietiesthat have higher crop yields improved nutrients and greater drought tolerance and disease and pestresistance. Inso's proposed system uses a novel microfluidic platform to extract and purify HMWDNA without the need for any specific surface chemistries. The system is scalable automatableand minimizes sample loss hands-on time and DNA damage improving sequencing quality.To optimze the system for preparation of HMW DNA from plant cells for use in long-readsequencers Inso's Phase I work involves the following objectives: 1) Develop Protocol for RapidIsolation of Nuclei from Plant Tissue in 100kb Fragments and 3) Validate DNA Prep Workflows by AchievingSequencing N50 of 70kb+. This proof-of-concept project addresses a critical need in agrigenomicsand if successful will support a Phase II project for further optimization of workflows andinstrumentation development.Inso's novel technology aligns with the USDA's Plant Production and Protection (Biology) TopicArea 8.2 as we are applying biotechnology and bio-based approaches to expeditiously facilitateisolation and purification of plant genomics for the improvement of crop production and protectionagainst abiotic and biotic stresses.