Independently removable nucleic acid sequencing system and method
AssigneeIllumina, Inc.
InventorsRobert C. Kain, David L. Heiner, Chanfeng Zhao, Kevin Gunderson
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Abstract
A technique for sequencing nucleic acids in an automated or semi-automated manner is disclosed. Sample arrays of a multitude of nucleic acid sites are processed in multiple cycles to add nucleotides to the material to be sequenced, detect the nucleotides added to sites, and to de-block the added nucleotides of blocking agents and tags used to identify the last added nucleotide. Multiple parameters of the system are monitored to enable diagnosis and correction of problems as they occur during sequencing of the samples. Quality control routines are run during sequencing to determine quality of samples, and quality of the data collected.
Claims23
A system for sequencing nucleic acids, comprising:
- a site for receiving a first substrate, the first substrate configured to be used to provide sequencing data for multiple nucleic acids in parallel;
- a site for receiving a second substrate distinct from and not coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate configured to be used to provide sequencing data for multiple nucleic acids in parallel;
- wherein the system is configured such that the first substrate can be removed from the system independently of the second substrate such that the second substrate can be processed to obtain sequencing data independently of the first substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.