Automated Routing of Droplets for DNA Storage on a Digital Microfluidics Platform

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated, microfluidic platform for DNA data storage that leverages high parallelism and advanced routing algorithms to improve assembly speed and efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel digital microfluidic system for DNA storage with automated assembly and optimized droplet routing, advancing practical implementation.

Findings

Demonstrated parallel DNA assembly on a microfluidic platform

Developed an A* routing algorithm for droplet traffic management

Achieved high throughput in DNA storage processes

Abstract

Technologies for sequencing (reading) and synthesizing (writing) DNA have progressed on a Moore's law-like trajectory over the last three decades. This has motivated the idea of using DNA for data storage. Theoretically, DNA-based storage systems could out-compete all existing forms of archival storage. However, a large gap exists between what is theoretically possible in terms of read and write speeds and what has been practically demonstrated with DNA. This paper introduces a novel approach to DNA storage, with automated assembly on a digital microfluidic biochip. This technology offers unprecedented parallelism in DNA assembly using a dual library of "symbols" and "linkers". An algorithmic solution is discussed for the problem of managing droplet traffic on the device, with prioritized three-dimensional "A*" routing. An overview is given of the software that was developed for routing a large number of droplets in parallel on the device, minimizing congestion and maximizing throughput.