Integrated microfluidic platform for programmable multi-window DNA fractionation and in situ recovery
Dongliang Li1, Chunlei Yang2, Leiyang Xu2
1State Key Laboratory of Genome and Multi-omics Technologies, BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China. zhangyuning@genomics.cn.
The Analyst
|December 5, 2025
Summary
We developed a microfluidic field-inversion gel electrophoresis (MFIGE) platform for precise deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) size selection. This technology significantly enhances long-read sequencing output and DNA recovery efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Nucleic acid size selection is crucial for applications like sequencing and genome engineering.
- Existing methods face limitations in separation range, recovery accuracy, and processing speed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a microfluidic platform addressing the trade-offs in current DNA size selection techniques.
- To develop an integrated system for programmable DNA fractionation and in situ recovery.
Main Methods:
- Development of a compact, on-chip microfluidic field-inversion gel electrophoresis (MFIGE) platform.
- Integration of programmable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fractionation with dual-membrane DNA recovery.
- Utilizing a closed, low-shear, and automation-ready format to avoid manual gel excision.
Main Results:
- MFIGE achieved multi-window fractionation beyond 140 kbp with up to 57.9% recovery rate.
- Demonstrated robust performance across various sample types.
- In nanopore sequencing, MFIGE increased long-read output by 976-fold compared to LA reagent and 47.2-fold over controls, raising N50 to 33.58 kbp.
- Achieved over 94% concentration of >50 kbp fragments in target wells.
Conclusions:
- MFIGE offers a practical solution for precise DNA sizing, overcoming limitations of current methods.
- The platform significantly improves long-read sequencing library preparation.
- MFIGE enables high-fidelity capture and is suitable for various applications requiring accurate DNA size selection.
