SuNS™ Technology
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Overview
The activity of Molecular Stamping is based on a novel printing technology called Supramolecular NanoStamping (SuNS), developed by Prof. Francesco Stellacci at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. SuNS is a flexible process for patterning biological molecules onto a substrate with very high resolution.
Taking advantage of the inherent ability of DNA to self-replicate, a "replica" microarray is generated from a "template" microarray through a replication-contact-dehybridization cycle (see figure below).
First, single-stranded DNA on the template microarray is enzymatically replicated. The template is then brought into contact with the new surface, enabling the transfer of the newly-synthesized strand from the template microarray to the replica surface. The template microarray can be replicated repeatedly to produce many new microarrays.
SuNS provides a distinct advantage over established methods of manufacturing microarrays because it dramatically reduces the number of production steps, thereby increasing yield and reproducibility. Furthermore, SuNS permits the printing of microarrays with feature sizes nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than those available today. Finally, the flexibility of surface materials and geometries onto which SuNS microarrays may be printed enable the possibility of next-generation applications.
SuNS provides a distinct advantage over established methods of manufacturing microarrays because it dramatically reduces the number of production steps, thereby increasing yield and reproducibility. Furthermore, SuNS permits the printing of microarrays with feature sizes nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than those available today. Finally, the flexibility of surface materials and geometries onto which SuNS microarrays may be printed enable the possibility of next-generation applications.