A method of synthesizing an oligonucleotide using a nanofluidic device including a plurality of nanopore channels, a plurality of electrodes, and an electrolyte solution, includes coupling a primer to an inner wall of a nanopore channel of the plurality of nanopore channels, the primer having a protecting group. The method also includes applying a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes that corresponds to the nanopore channel to produce an acid from the electrolyte solution at the electrode. The electrode includes an anode and a cathode disposed at opposite sides of the nanopore channel. The method further includes the acid removing the protecting group from the primer. Moreover, the method includes coupling a nucleotide to the primer with the protecting group removed to form an intermediate product. In addition, the method includes repeating the steps on the intermediate product until the oligonucleotide is synthesized.

Methods and devices for the formation and/or merging of droplets in microfluidic systems are provided. In certain embodiments a microfluidic droplet merger component is provided that comprises a central channel comprising a plurality of elements disposed and spaced to create a plurality of lateral passages that drain a carrier fluid out of a fluid stream comprising droplets of a first fluid contained in the carrier fluid; and a deformable lateral membrane valve disposed to control the width of said center channel.

There is disclosed a process for in vitro synthesis and assembly of long, gene-length polynucleotides based upon assembly of multiple shorter oligonucleotides synthesized in situ on a microarray platform. Specifically, there is disclosed a process for in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide fragments on a solid phase microarray platform and subsequent, on device assembly of larger polynucleotides composed of a plurality of shorter oligonucleotide fragments.

The present disclosure provides methods of activating an enzyme, such as error prone or template independent polymerase, using electricity to alter pH of a reaction zone and reaction site from an inactivating pH at which the enzyme is inactive to an activating pH at which the enzyme is active to add a nucleotide to an initiator or growing polymer chain. The activating pH can then be changed back to an inactivating pH and the process repeated as many times as desired to produce a target nucleic acid sequence.

There is disclosed a process for in vitro synthesis and assembly of long, gene-length polynucleotides based upon assembly of multiple shorter oligonucleotides synthesized in situ on a microarray platform. Specifically, there is disclosed a process for in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide fragments on a solid phase microarray platform and subsequent, on device assembly of larger polynucleotides composed of a plurality of shorter oligonucleotide fragments.

The disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for the production of nucleic acid molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for the microscale generation of nucleic acid molecules, optionally followed by assembly of these nucleic acid molecules into larger molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for efficient production of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., large nucleic acid molecules such as genomes).

Devices for electrochemically activating precursor compound through oxidation (or reduction) to produce active compound are provided. Devices may include an electrochemical reactor having an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode housed in a shared compartment, or an anode housed in an anode compartment, a cathode housed in a cathode compartment, and a semipermeable membrane separating the anode and cathode compartments, wherein the anode and cathode form an electrical circuit in the presence of electrolyte solution; and a sealed housing enclosing the electrochemical cell, the housing including a precursor compound input in communication with the anode/cathode/shared compartment, for inputting precursor compound, an active compound output in communication with the anode/cathode/shared compartment for outputting activated compound following activation, and a gas release and/or liquid overflow port; a power supply powering the electrochemical reactor; and, optionally, a pump or valve controlling flow rate of the assembly.

There is disclosed a process for in vitro synthesis and assembly of long, gene-length polynucleotides based upon assembly of multiple shorter oligonucleotides synthesized in situ on a microarray platform. Specifically, there is disclosed a process for in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide fragments on a solid phase microarray platform and subsequent, on device assembly of larger polynucleotides composed of a plurality of shorter oligonucleotide fragments.

There is disclosed an electrode array architecture employing continuous and discontinuous circumferential electrodes. There is further disclosed a process for the neutralization of acid generated at anode(s) by base generated at cathode(s) circumferentially located to each other so as to confine a region of pH change. The cathodes can be displayed as concentric rings (continuous) or as counter electrodes in a cross pattern (discontinuous). In this way reagents, such as acid, generated in a center electrode are countered (neutralized) by reagents, such as base, generated at the corners or at the outer ring.

There is disclosed an electrode array architecture employing continuous and discontinuous circumferential electrodes. There is further disclosed a process for the neutralization of acid generated at anode(s) by base generated at cathode(s) circumferentially located to each other so as to confine a region of pH change. The cathodes can be displayed as concentric rings (continuous) or as counter electrodes in a cross pattern (discontinuous). In this way reagents, such as acid, generated in a center electrode are countered (neutralized) by reagents, such as base, generated at the corners or at the outer ring.