Oligonucleotide synthesis, traditionally executed via batch processes in a column involving approximately eight to ten discrete chemical reactions and washing steps per synthesis cycle. Each cycle extends the oligonucleotide by one nucleobase. These methodologies and technologies were established over several decades and are limited to 10-15 kg per batch.

This poster introduces a novel, continuous oligonucleotide reactor design utilizing a vacuum filtration process integrated with nonwoven material. The nonwoven substrate functions as a new solid support structure to optimize reaction kinetics and mass transfer efficiency. A key innovation of the system is its capacity to execute all synthesis and washing steps parallel in a counter-current continuous flow paradigm.

We invite the scientific and industrial community to discuss collaborative solutions to optimize and build the novel synthesizer.