Multi-well manifold assembly system for oligonucleotide synthesis

An apparatus for reducing cross-contamination in multiwell parallel oligonucleotide synthesis, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a multiwell synthesis plate, said multiwell synthesis plate containing multiple synthesis wells wherein each synthesis well has a bottom diameter;
• b. a tube manifold, said tube manifold comprising multiple wells wherein each well has an insert of a diameter equal or greater than the bottom diameter of the synthesis well, and wherein the insert provides a seal when in contact with the synthesis well;
• c. an elongated tube having a diameter greater than the synthesis well bottom diameter and wherein when in contact with the insert a seal is made;
• and
• d. an air supply to provide a positive pressure differential.

A multi-well manifold assembly for the reduction of cross-contamination in continuous flow reactions, comprising:

• a. a full ring velocity stack plate having a full ring opening with a rim and a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of elongated tubes;
• b. a tube manifold received within the full ring opening of the full ring velocity stack plate;
• c. the tube manifold having a main body and top periphery with a top surface, wherein a plurality of channels extend through the top surface, top periphery and traverse through the main body of the tube manifold;
• d. a plurality of inserts received within the channels mounted within the tube manifold, the inserts aligning with and mating with the elongated tubes;
• e. at least one sealing means;
• wherein the tube manifold is inserted and secured within the full ring opening of the full ring velocity stack plate and tightly abuts the sealing means and the stack plate to substantially form a seal between the tube manifold and the stack plate to reduce cross-contamination of continuous synthesis reactions in microfluidic devices.

A method for reducing cross-contamination in continuous flow reactions using a multi-well manifold assembly, comprising the steps of:

• a. inserting a plurality of elongated tubes within a full ring velocity stack plate, the full ring velocity stack plate comprising a full ring opening with a rim and a plurality of apertures for receiving the elongated tubes;
• b. inserting a tube manifold within the opening of the velocity stack plate, the tube manifold having a main body and top periphery with a top surface, wherein a plurality of channels extend through the top surface, top periphery and traverse through the main body of the tube manifold;
• c. inserting a plurality of inserts within the channels mounted within the tube manifold and aligning the inserts with the elongated tubes of the full ring velocity stack plate;
• d. securing the tube manifold within the opening of the full ring velocity stack plate, wherein at least one sealing means if provided to substantially seal the tube manifold against the full ring velocity stack plate.
• wherein the tube manifold is inserted and secured within the full ring opening of the full ring velocity stack plate and tightly abuts the sealing means and the stack plate to substantially form a seal between the tube manifold and the stack plate to reduce cross-contamination of continuous synthesis reactions in microfluidic devices.