Polynucleotide Synthesizer Model 280, Solid Phase Chemistry Module
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: In the late 1970s the growing field of genetics created a demand for made-to-order short-chain DNA molecules, known as polynucleotides. These designer stretches of DNA were important laboratory tools. Scientists used them both as probes to find specific DNA sequences in a larger genome and as the building blocks of custom genes for genetic engineering. Building polynucleotides by hand in the lab, however, was expensive, time consuming, and boring work.
label: Description (Brief)
content: In December 1980 Vega Biotechnologies introduced the first polynucleotide synthesizer or “gene machine,” which automated production of short DNA chains. The machine lowered the time needed to make a fifteen-base strand of DNA from several months to about a day, greatly reducing the price of customized DNA for research and industry. The instrument consisted of two parts: a chemistry unit and a computer unit. The chemistry unit assembled DNA using solid-phase chemistry techniques. The computer unit controlled the reaction and could be programmed with the desired DNA sequence for synthesis.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Sources:
label: Description (Brief)
content: Joseph A. Menosky, “Cheap, Fast Designer Genes,” <i>The Washington Post</i>, September 6, 1981, C1.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Untitled Essay by Leon E. Barstow, President of Vega Biotechnologies, from Accession File.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Accession File 1984.0719, National Museum of American History.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
topic: label: web subject
content: Science & Scientific Instruments
label: web subject
content: Chemistry
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Medicine
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content: Biotechnology and Genetics
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content: Science & Mathematics
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1984.0719.01
label: catalog number
content: 1984.0719.01
label: accession number
content: 1984.0719
objectType: label: Object Name
content: polynucleotide synthesizer
label: Object Name
content: solid phase chemistry module, polynucleotide synthesizer
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 51 cm x 54.3 cm x 33.3 cm; 20 3/32 in x 21 3/8 in x 13 1/8 in