Sequencing kits

Abstract

An example of a sequencing kit includes a flow cell and an encapsulation matrix precursor composition. The flow cell includes a plurality of chambers and primers attached within each of the plurality of chambers. The encapsulation matrix precursor composition consists of a fluid and a polymer selected from the group consisting of agar, agarose, alginate, heparin, alginate sulfate, dextran sulfate, hyaluronan, pectin, carrageenan, gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, a collagen polymer, and combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sequencing kit, comprising:
 a flow cell including:
 a plurality of chambers; and 
 primers attached within each of the plurality of chambers; and 
   an encapsulation matrix precursor composition consisting of:
 a fluid; and 
 a polymer selected from the group consisting of agar, agarose, alginate, heparin, alginate sulfate, dextran sulfate, hyaluronan, pectin, carrageenan, gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, a collagen polymer, and combinations thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sequencing kit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is alginate and the fluid is a calcium-containing solution. 
     
     
         3 . The sequencing kit as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a library preparation solution including adapter sequences and transposomes. 
     
     
         4 . The sequencing kit as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a sample fluid including genetic material. 
     
     
         5 . A method, comprising:
 introducing a fluid including genetic material to a flow cell including:
 a plurality of chambers; and 
 primers attached within each of the plurality of chambers; 
   
       whereby at least some of the genetic material enters at least some of the plurality of chambers;
 introducing an encapsulation matrix precursor composition into the flow cell, the encapsulation matrix precursor composition including:
 a fluid; and 
 a polymer selected from the group consisting of agar, agarose, alginate, heparin, alginate sulfate, dextran sulfate, hyaluronan, pectin, carrageenan, gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, a collagen polymer, and combinations thereof; 
 
 
       whereby at least some of the encapsulation matrix precursor composition enters at least some of the chambers containing the genetic material;
 flushing the flow cell with a liquid external immobilization agent at a temperature ranging from about 40° C. to about 80° C.; and 
 exposing the flow cell to a gelation temperature of the polymer in the at least some of the chambers, thereby encapsulating the genetic material in a hydrogel matrix in the at least some of the chambers. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising heating the flow cell to a temperature ranging from about 40° C. to about 80° C. during the introduction of the fluid and the encapsulation matrix precursor composition and during the flushing. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein exposing the flow cell to the gelation temperature of the polymer involves cooling the flow cell to the gelation temperature and maintaining the flow cell at the gelation temperature for a predetermined time. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein exposing the flow cell to the gelation temperature of the polymer involves heating the flow cell to the gelation temperature and maintaining the flow cell at the gelation temperature for a predetermined time.