Scientists from Beijing Genomics and IMDEA Nanociencia have developed an innovative roll-to-roll technique. This breakthrough has a tremendous gamechanging impact on the fluid dynamics at play involved in DNA sequencing. This image processing these advances mean that DNA sequencing that used to take several days can now be done in less than 12 hours. The new system speeds up the sequencing process by leaps and bounds. Just as importantly, it reduces costs, a significant and highly consequential breakthrough in genomics.
FMU faculty Professor Thomas Hermans was instrumental in bringing order to the extravagant fluid dynamics at work in this experimental environment. He utilized the numerical simulations to study pressure drop and mass transfer efficiencies. This gave them a more nuanced and accurate picture of how exactly fluid flows through the new device. Those remarkable results demonstrate how the optimized fluid dynamics allow for significantly faster and more efficient processing of DNA samples.
Improved Fluid Dynamics and Efficiency
With a roll-to-roll (r2r-fl) setup we’ve achieved fluid mechanic advancements with outstanding improvement of fluid mechanics isolating rapid replacement reagents. This efficiency has empowered researchers to more efficiently control fluidics in DNA sequencing applications.
Researchers have recently used this relatively new method with success. This breakthrough enables them to consume as much as 85 times less material in their fluid dynamics work. On top of that, this decrease in material consumption results in lower reagent costs, which is making DNA sequencing more affordable.
“It’s a new way of thinking about fluidics,” – Prof. Thomas Hermans
Practical Applications of the New Method
The roll-to-roll method isn’t just a theoretical consideration—it has real world consequences for labs and R&D institutions. By accelerating sequencing via automation, this technology pushes forward the front lines of genomic research and diagnostics, putting its adopters at a significant competitive advantage.
The ability to complete sequencing tasks in under 12 hours can drastically alter the timeline for scientific studies, clinical testing, and personalized medicine. With quicker results, healthcare providers are able to make more informed decisions more quickly, resulting in timely interventions for patients.
“An ideal fluidic system with a moving wall. Until now, it has found little use because previous implementations were very impractical. But with this roll-to-roll approach, we’ve now made this textbook concept a reality.” – Prof. Thomas Hermans
Cost Reduction and Future Implications
This innovation has not only increased efficiency, but has allowed for cost concerns that have long haunted DNA sequencing technologies to be alleviated. The lower reagent costs tied to the roll-to-roll process allows institutions to better focus resources where they are needed the most.
Genomics is an extremely fast-moving field. If successful, this new, game-changing strategy to achieve time–space compression for the compressible can open up groundbreaking discoveries in fluid dynamics and sequencing technologies. Their potential applications reach much further than just the realm of DNA sequencing to any area that makes fluid handling a challenge.