3D Printed Fluidic Hardware for DNA Assembly
Abstract
DNA assembly is a foundational technology for synthetic biology. Microfluidics present an attractive solution for miniaturizing assembly reagent volumes, enabling multiplexed reactions, and interfacing with laboratory automation. However, microfluidics fabrication and operation can be expensive and require expertise, limiting access to an enabling technology. With advances in commodity digital fabrication tools, it is now possible to directly print not only fluidic devices, but supporting hardware as well. 3Dprinted micro- and millifluidics are easy to make, are low cost, and can be rapidly produced. Here, we demonstrate Golden Gate DNA assembly in 3D printed fluidics with reaction volumes as small as 500 nL, channel widths as fine as 300 micrometers, and device cost ranging from $0.61 to $4.50 per unit. An open-source 3D-printed syringe pump with an accompanying programmable software interface was designed and fabricated to operate the devices. Quick turnaround and inexpensive material costs allowed for rapid exploration of device parameters and offers a potentially disruptive manufacturing paradigm for synthetic biology hardware design and fabrication.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1034981
Entities
People
- Alec A. Nielsen
- Che-wei Wang
- Christopher Voigt
- David S. Kong
- Jaime J. Rivera
- Neri Oxman
- Octavio Mondragón-Palomino
- Peter Sr A Carr
- Steven J. Keating
- Taylor Levy
- William G. Patrick
Organizations
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory