Fluid processing device comprising surface tension controlled valve

Abstract

A fluid processing device adapted to produce different oligomers in a plurality of respective reaction sites and methods of using the same are provided. The fluid processing device can comprise a first manifold for delivering reactants to the plurality of reaction sites, and a second manifold for removing waste from, and optionally delivering wash fluid to, the plurality of reaction sites. Surface tension controlled valves can be disposed in fluid communication with the first manifold, the second manifold, or both, and can selectively allow reactants and/or fluids into the reaction sites. A method of making oligonucleotides is also provided.

1 . A method comprising: 
 introducing a first nucleic acid monomer into a first fluid distribution manifold of a fluid processing device;    opening at least one surface tension controlled valve in fluid communication with both the first fluid distribution manifold and at least one respective reaction site, to form an open surface tension controlled valve;    moving the first nucleic acid monomer from the first manifold, through the at least one open surface tension controlled valve, and into the at least one respective reaction site; and    attaching the first nucleic acid monomer to a first structure in the at least one respective reaction site to form an extended structure.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first nucleic acid monomer is a first protected nucleic acid monomer, the extended structure is a protected extended structure, and the method further comprises: 
 washing the at least one respective reaction site subsequent to the attaching;    closing the at least one surface tension controlled valve;    introducing a deprotecting agent into the first manifold then opening the at least one surface tension controlled valve to form at least one reopened surface tension controlled valve;    moving the deprotecting agent from the first manifold, through the at least one reopened surface tension controlled valve, and into the at least one respective reaction site; and    deprotecting the protected extended structure to form a deprotected extended structure.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 introducing a wash reagent into a second manifold in fluid communication with the at least one respective reaction site;    moving the wash reagent from the second manifold into the at least one respective reaction site; and    removing the wash reagent from the at least one respective reaction site to form a washed and deprotected extended structure.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first structure is supported by a support and the method further comprises cleaving the extended structure from the support to form a cleaved structure.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising moving the cleaved structure from the at least one respective reaction site into a second reaction site that is in fluid communication with the at least one respective reaction site.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extended structure comprises a dimethyltrityl-protected phosphoramidite monomer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein opening the at least one surface tension controlled valve comprises directing electromagnetic radiation toward the at least one surface tension controlled valve.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein opening at least one surface tension controlled valve comprises reflecting electromagnetic radiation emitted from an electromagnetic radiation source toward the at least one surface tension controlled valve.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the reflecting comprises individually controlling movement of a plurality of mirrors.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surface tension controlled valve comprises a plurality of surface tension controlled valves, and the at least one respective reaction site comprises a plurality of respective reaction sites.