Devices and methods for macromolecular manipulation

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and systems for the interrogation of macromolecules, more particularly for preparation of isolated single macromolecules for subsequent processing of specific regions of interest within said macromolecule based on an analysis of the molecule's physical map. The disclosure is further related to the controlled segmentation of long nucleic acid parent molecules into smaller child molecules in a targeted manner such that further processing on said children may be performed with the knowledge of their origin within the parent, in a controlled environment enabled by purposefully designed microfluidic devices. Also disclosed is binding of regional specific barcodes along the length of a long nucleic acid molecule such that upon cleavage of said molecule into child molecules, the regional origin of the children can be tracked, in a controlled environment enabled by purposefully designed microfluidic devices. Finally, the disclosure is further related to droplet devices and method to control the encapsulation of long nucleic acid molecules or specific subregions thereof into a droplet, and further tracking said droplets with their contents.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.