A high-throughput optomechanical retrieval method for sequence-verified clonal DNA from the NGS platform

Writing DNA plays a significant role in the fields of synthetic biology, functional genomics and bioengineering. DNA clones on next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have the potential to be a rich and cost-effective source of sequence-verified DNAs as a precursor for DNA writing. However, it is still very challenging to retrieve target clonal DNA from high-density NGS platforms. Here we propose an enabling technology called ‘Sniper Cloning’ that enables the precise mapping of target clone features on NGS platforms and non-contact rapid retrieval of targets for the full utilization of DNA clones. By merging the three cutting-edge technologies of NGS, DNA microarray and our pulse laser retrieval system, Sniper Cloning is a week-long process that produces 5,188 error-free synthetic DNAs in a single run of NGS with a single microarray DNA pool. We believe that this technology has potential as a universal tool for DNA writing in biological sciences.