Nucleic Acid Synthesizers

Abstract

The present invention relates to nucleic acid synthesizers and methods of using and modifying nucleic acid synthesizers. For example, the present invention provides highly efficient, reliable, and safe synthesizers that find use, for example, in high throughput and automated nucleic acid synthesis, as well as methods of modifying pre-existing synthesizers to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety.

1 . A nucleic acid synthesizer comprising a plurality of synthesis columns and an energy input component that imparts energy to said plurality of synthesis columns to increase nucleic acid synthesis reaction rate in said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         2 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component comprises a heating component. 
     
     
         3 . The synthesizer of  claim 8 , wherein said heating component provides substantially uniform heat to said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         4 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component provides heated reagent solutions to said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         5 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input heats said plurality of synthesis columns in the range of about 20 to about 60 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         6 . The synthesizer of  claim 2 , wherein said heating component comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a heating coil, a heat blanket, a resistance heater, a Peltier device, a magnetic induction device, a microwave device, a heated fluid and a heated gas. 
     
     
         7 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component provides energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. 
     
     
         8 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component comprises an oscillating member. 
     
     
         9 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component provides a periodic energy input. 
     
     
         10 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , wherein said energy input component provides a constant energy input. 
     
     
         11 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a mixing component that mixes reagents in said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         12 . The synthesizer of  claim 11 , wherein said mixing component is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic mixer, a magnetic mixer, a fluid oscillator, and a vibrational mixer. 
     
     
         13 . The synthesizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a reaction support, said reaction support configured to hold three or more synthesis columns. 
     
     
         14 . The synthesizer of  claim 13 , wherein said reaction support is configured for operation with a cleavage and deprotect component. 
     
     
         15 . The synthesizer of  claim 14 , further comprising a robotic component configured to transfer said reaction support from said synthesizer to said cleavage and deprotect component. 
     
     
         16 . The synthesizer of  claim 15 , wherein said robotic component is further configured to transfer said reaction support from said cleavage and deprotect component to a purification component. 
     
     
         17 . A nucleic acid synthesizer comprising a plurality of synthesis columns and a mixing component that mixes reagents in said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         18 . The nucleic acid synthesizer of  claim 17 , wherein said mixer is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic mixer, a magnetic mixer, a fluid oscillator, and a vibrational mixer. 
     
     
         19 . The nucleic acid synthesizer of  claim 17 , further comprising an energy input component that imparts energy to said plurality of synthesis columns to increase nucleic acid synthesis reaction rate in said plurality of synthesis columns. 
     
     
         20 . A nucleic acid synthesizer, comprising;
 a) a ventilation tube, and   b) a lid enclosure comprising; a) a top cover with a ventilation slot, and b) a top enclosure comprising a top plate with a ventilation opening, wherein said top enclosure is attached to said top cover to form a primarily enclosed space over said top cover; and   c) a plurality of synthesis columns; and   d) an energy input component that imparts energy to said plurality of synthesis columns to increase nucleic acid synthesis reaction rate in said plurality of synthesis columns.