Scalable Nucleic Acid Storage and Retrieval Using Barcoded Microcapsules

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14985
• Publication Date: 2021-10-17T02:31:43Z
• Authors: James L. Banal; Mark Bathe
• Keywords: Nucleic acid methods

Rapid advances in nucleic acid sequencing and synthesis technologies have spurred a major need to collect, store, sequence the DNA RNA from viral, bacterial, mammalian sources organisms. However, current approaches storing acids rely on low-temperature environment require robotics for access, posing challenges scalable low-cost storage. Here, we present an alternative method acids, termed Preservation Access of Nucleic aciDs using barcOded micRocApsules (PANDORA). spanning kilobases gigabases different sources, including animals, bacteria, viruses, are encapsulated into silica microcapsules protect them environmental denaturants at room temperature. Molecular barcodes attached each microcapsule enable sample pooling subsequent identification retrieval fluorescence-activated sorting. We demonstrate quantitative storage rapid access targeted pool emulating standard operations implemented conventional systems, recovery 100,000-200,000 samples Boolean logic selection four unique barcodes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction short-read retrieved validated sorting experiments integrity released acids. Our proposed approach offers long-term, room-temperature with high fidelity.