title: An automated multiplex oligonucleotide synthesizer: development of high-throughput, low-cost DNA synthesis.
abstract: An automated oligonucleotide synthesizer has been developed that can simultaneously and rapidly synthesize up to 96 different oligonucleotides in a 96-well microtiter format using phosphoramidite synthesis chemistry. A modified 96-well plate is positioned under reagent valve banks, and appropriate reagents are delivered into individual wells containing the growing oligonucleotide chain, which is bound to a solid support. Each well has a filter bottom that enables the removal of spent reagents while retaining the solid support matrix. A seal design is employed to control synthesis environment and the entire instrument is automated via computer control. Synthesis cycle times for 96 couplings are < 11 min, allowing a plate of 96 20-mers to be synthesized in < 5 hr. Oligonucleotide synthesis quality is comparable to commercial machines, with average coupling efficiencies routinely > 98% across the entire 96-well plate. No significant well-to-well variations in synthesis quality have been observed in > 6000 oligonucleotides synthesized to date. The reduced reagent usage and increased capacity allow the overall synthesis cost to drop by at least a factor of 10. With the development of this instrument, it is now practical and cost-effective to synthesize thousands to tens of thousands of oligonucleotides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lashkari
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hunicke-Smith
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Norgren
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides; D001331:Automation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003201:Computers; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D010756:Phosphoric Acids
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D004247:DNA; C011067:phosphoramidic acid