Patent ID: 8481259
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: B01L,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for carrying out steps of a nucleic acid sequencing protocol, said method comprising: a) providing: i) a camera; ii) a plurality of reservoirs, at least one of which comprising nucleic acid sequencing reagents in a fluid, and at least one of which comprising wash buffer in a fluid; iii) first nucleic acids in a first flow cell and second nucleic acids in a second flow cell, said first and second nucleic acids comprising templates to be sequenced in an area to be imaged, said flow cells mounted on iv) a moveable support, said support configured to move said flow cells to v) a plurality of stations, at least some of which are reagent delivery stations, each reagent delivery station in fluidic communication with at least one of said reservoirs and associated with at least one step, or portion thereof, of said nucleic acid sequencing protocol, at least one of said steps comprising positioning a flow cell such that said area to be imaged can be imaged by said camera; b) moving said moveable support under conditions such that said first flow cell is aligned with and connected to the reagent delivery station associated with a first step in said sequencing protocol, whereby said first flow cell is in fluid communication with at least a first reservoir of said plurality of reservoirs; c) introducing reagent via one of said reservoirs into said first flow cell under conditions such that said reagent contacts said first nucleic acids; and d) moving said moveable support under conditions such that i) said first flow cell is disconnected with said reagent delivery station associated with said first step under conditions such that fluid does not flow back to said reservoirs, and aligned with a station associated with a later step in said sequencing protocol, and ii) said second flow cell is aligned with and connected to said reagent delivery station associated with said first step in said sequencing protocol, whereby said second flow cell is in fluid communication with at least said first reservoir of said plurality of reservoirs.