Methods and devices for non-enzymatic nucleic acid synthesis

Abstract

Provided are methods for non-enzymatically synthesizing nucleic acids. The methods include submerging a first portion of the outer surface of a cylinder in a non-enzymatic nucleic acid synthesis reaction mixture. The reaction mixture has a pH of 4 or less and includes an organizing matrix reagent and monophosphate nucleotides. The methods further include rotating the cylinder about its axis of radial symmetry so that the first portion of the outer surface of the cylinder is no longer submerged in the reaction mixture, thereby providing a thin film of the reaction mixture on the first portion of the outer surface of the cylinder. The methods further include heating and drying the thin film to form phosphodiester bonds between the monophosphate nucleotides of the thin film. Also provided are devices that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure.