Scaling DNA data storage with nanoscale electrode wells.

Synthetic DNA is an attractive medium for long-term data storage because of its density, ease of copying, sustainability, and longevity. Recent advances have focused on the development of new encoding algorithms, automation, preservation, and sequencing technologies. Despite progress in these areas, the most challenging hurdle in deployment of DNA data storage remains the write throughput, which limits data storage capacity. We have developed the first nanoscale DNA storage writer, which we expect to scale DNA write density to 25 × 106 sequences per square centimeter, three orders of magnitude improvement over existing DNA synthesis arrays. We show confinement of DNA synthesis to an area under 1 square micrometer, parallelized over millions of nanoelectrode wells and then successfully write and decode a message in DNA. DNA synthesis on this scale will enable write throughputs to reach megabytes per second and is a key enabler to a practical DNA data storage system.

Development of a microarray assay that measures hybridization stoichiometry in moles.

Microarray data is most useful when it can be compared with other genetic detection technologies. In this report, we designed a microarray assay format that transforms raw data into a defined scientific unit (i.e., moles) by measuring the amount of array feature present and the cDNA sequence hybridized. This study profiles a mouse reference universal RNA sample on a microarray consisting of PCR products. In measuring array features, a labeled DNA sequence was designed that hybridizes to a conserved sequence that is present in every array feature. To measure the amount of cDNA sample hybridized, the RNA sample was processed to ensure consistent dye to DNA ratio for every labeled target cDNA molecule, using labeled branched dendrimers rather than by incorporation. A dye printing assay was then performed in order to correlate molecules of cyanine dye to signal intensity. We demonstrate that by using this microarray assay design, raw data can be transformed into defined scientific units, which will facilitate interpretation of other experiments, such as data deposited at the Gene Expression Omnibus and ArrayExpress.

Microarray technology--an intellectual property retrospective.

The recent sequencing of the human genome is a critical milestone that has provided a framework for the identification of thousands of novel potential drug targets and the common genetic factors that affect drug metabolism and toxicity. Microarrays represent a novel genetic platform which is being widely exploited to bridge the gap between gene sequence and function. Microarray technology has found broad use in the areas of disease diagnosis, pharmacogenomics and toxicogenomics, and many opportunities continue to be created in the marketplace. As the field matures and enters the clinical arena, we will witness further innovation in both the public and private sectors, which ultimately will improve the technology. However, the exercise of intellectual property rights in this area has shadowed the evolution of this technology. This report provides a retrospective review of microarrays, highlighting the key patents and litigation that have shaped the industry.

Protein microarrays: challenges and promises.

Genomics and proteomics are playing increasingly important roles as discovery tools in basic biological sciences and as diagnostic and rational therapeutic aids in the clinical arena. In recent years, high-density arrays of specified DNA sequences have gained popularity. Protein microarrays are at the forefront of this biochip revolution and promise the parallel examination of large numbers of proteins. These miniaturized arrays are currently being developed to facilitate high analytical resolution, detection sensitivity and sample throughput. Many challenges are presented by proteome scale manipulation of proteins, as there is currently no methodological equivalent to the gene chip for comparative proteomics.

Advances in lectin microarray technology: optimized protocols for piezoelectric print conditions.

Lectin microarray technology has been used to profile the glycosylation of a multitude of biological and clinical samples, leading to new clinical biomarkers and advances in glycobiology. Lectin microarrays, which include >90 plant lectins, recombinant lectins, and selected antibodies, are used to profile N-linked, O-linked, and glycolipid glycans. The specificity and depth of glycan profiling depends upon the carbohydrate-binding proteins arrayed. The current set targets mammalian carbohydrates including fucose, high mannose, branched and complex N-linked, α- and ß-galactose and GalNAc, α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialic acid, LacNAc, and Lewis X epitopes. Previous protocols have described the use of a contact microarray printer for lectin microarray production. Here, an updated protocol that uses a non-contact, piezoelectric printer, which leads to increased lectin activity on the array, is presented. Optimization of print and sample hybridization conditions and methods of analysis are discussed.

Development and application of a microarray meter tool to optimize microarray experiments.

BACKGROUND: Successful microarray experimentation requires a complex interplay between the slide chemistry, the printing pins, the nucleic acid probes and targets, and the hybridization milieu. Optimization of these parameters and a careful evaluation of emerging slide chemistries are a prerequisite to any large scale array fabrication effort. We have developed a 'microarray meter' tool which assesses the inherent variations associated with microarray measurement prior to embarking on large scale projects. FINDINGS: The microarray meter consists of nucleic acid targets (reference and dynamic range control) and probe components. Different plate designs containing identical probe material were formulated to accommodate different robotic and pin designs. We examined the variability in probe quality and quantity (as judged by the amount of DNA printed and remaining post-hybridization) using three robots equipped with capillary printing pins. DISCUSSION: The generation of microarray data with minimal variation requires consistent quality control of the (DNA microarray) manufacturing and experimental processes. Spot reproducibility is a measure primarily of the variations associated with printing. The microarray meter assesses array quality by measuring the DNA content for every feature. It provides a post-hybridization analysis of array quality by scoring probe performance using three metrics, a) a measure of variability in the signal intensities, b) a measure of the signal dynamic range and c) a measure of variability of the spot morphologies.

PatGen--a consolidated resource for searching genetic patent sequences.

UNLABELLED: Compared to the wealth of online resources covering genomic, proteomic and derived data the Bioinformatics community is rather underserved when it comes to patent information related to biological sequences. The current online resources are either incomplete or rather expensive. This paper describes, PatGen, an integrated database containing data from bioinformatic and patent resources. This effort addresses the inconsistency of publicly available genetic patent data coverage by providing access to a consolidated dataset. AVAILABILITY: PatGen can be searched at http://www.patgendb.com CONTACT: rjdrouse@patentinformatics.com.

Influence of CCR7 ligand DNA preexposure on the magnitude and duration of immunity.

The CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 7 ligands CCL21 and CCL19 were recently described as essential elements for establishing the microenvironment needed to initiate optimal immune responses in secondary lymphoid tissues. In the present study we have kinetically investigated the primary responses of naive DO11.10 TCR-transgenic CD4+ T cells (OVA323-339 peptide specific) adoptively transferred into normal BALB/c mice given plasmid DNA encoding CCR7 ligands. The primary responses of CD4+ Tg-T cells in CCR7 ligand DNA recipients occurred more promptly, reaching levels higher than those observed in vector controls. In line with enhanced specific immunity, the T-cell population in CCR7 ligand recipients underwent more in vivo cell division following Ag stimulation, and a higher percentage of Ag-specific T cells expressed an activation phenotype. Moreover, the enhanced primary responses of naive CD4+ T cells appeared to act via affects on migration and maturation of CD11c+ dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes. In addition following mucosal challenge of herpes simplex virus-immune mice with virus, those that had received CCL21 or CCL19 during priming contained a higher frequency of responding CD4 T cells in lymph nodes and the site of infection. Moreover, CCL21- and CCL19-treated mice showed less severe disease and better survival following challenge. Our results are discussed in terms of the relevance of CCR7 ligand preimmunization to improve vaccine.