Patent ID: 8043814

Claim:
A method of sequencing a nucleic acid comprising: (a) exposing a primer-hybridized nucleic acid template to a liquid flowing under conditions of laminar flow, wherein the primer comprises a 3′ end, and (b) while the liquid continues flowing under conditions of laminar flow, measuring heat generated or a temperature difference, if any, associated with incorporation of a known deoxynucleoside triphosphate into the 3′ end of the primer, and either (1) upon measuring heat generated or a temperature difference, identifying the nucleotide of the template that is complementary to the known deoxynucleoside triphosphate incorporated into the primer, or (2) upon failing to measure heat generated or a temperature difference, eliminating the possibility that the nucleotide that is complementary to the known deoxynucleoside triphosphate is present in the template at the 3′ end of the primer, wherein ambient temperature fluctuations are not controlled.