TUSUR: Genomic Printer

2025: Patent Issuance for the First Domestic Genomic Printer

Russian scientists have received a patent for the first domestic genomic printer designed to synthesize DNA fragments, which could speed up drug development. This was reported on February 10, 2025 by the press service of Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radio Electronics (TUSUR). Until that time, patents were issued only for individual components of the device. The new patent covers an automatic oligonucleotide synthesis system including the printer itself, a syringe station rack, and a control system.

According to TASS, the development belongs to the laboratory of additive technologies and engineering biology (LATIB) TUSUR. The head of the laboratory, Ruslan Gadirov, explained that previous patents concerned individual nodes, such as piezoelectric dispensers and a porous substrate for synthesis. The new document covers the entire technological system. Scientists managed to achieve stability of the device, ensuring a full automatic synthesis cycle. Work is underway on the technology of printing on the fly, which will significantly reduce the time spent on creating DNA fragments.

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Фото: tusur.ru

There are a limited number of manufacturers of oligonucleotide synthesis equipment and DNA or RNA arrays needed to create gene constructs in the world. Most companies are concentrated in the United States and limit the supply of such equipment to third countries.

The project is being implemented with support. In Ministries of Science and Higher Education of Russia 2022, TUSUR won a grant of ₽320 million to create a genomic printer. Later, funding was increased to ₽410 million. The project also involves,, Tomsk State University (TSU), Siberian State Medical University (SibGMU) Kurchatov Institute the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the CO and JSC RAS. NPF Mikran Researchers are developing technology for submicrolytic dosing of liquids, creating and testing prototypes of an automatic oligonucleotide synthesis system.^[1]

2023: First Russian genomic printer created

In December 2023 Tomsk University of Control Systems and Radio Electronics (TUSUR) , they announced the creation of the first Russia genomic printer. We are talking about an oligonucleotide synthesizer, the press service of the university clarifies.

Before the prototype appeared in a year and a half, a group of scientists developed a layout of a genomic printer - a device for creating oligonucleotides (sections of DNA or RNA). The genomic printer works like an inkjet printer, but has much more nozzles and the highest accuracy. The device prints with special reagents that allow you to create oligonucleotides - small pieces of DNA or RNA. The genes are made up of thousands of oligonucleotides. By crosslinking them in a specific order, a synthesized gene or region of the gene can be obtained.

Genomic printer developed by TCUR

According to Ruslan Gadirov, head of the laboratory of additive technologies and engineering biology of the university, the Russian genomic printer will allow you to synthesize up to 30 thousand pieces of genes at a time. The printer is needed, in particular, for the development of expensive drugs for rare and severe diseases, it will speed up research, and therefore the emergence of new drugs. Now most manufacturers of oligonucleotides required to create gene constructs are concentrated in the United States.

Scientists said that the prototype differs significantly from the previously proposed layout. They created a sealed chamber for the synthesis of oligonucleotides (DNA and RNA fragments), while reducing its volume to reduce the flow of inert gas. In addition, they improved positioning accuracy, diversified the set of syringe dispensers, several modules appeared for different types of substrates, and much more. The authors of the printer also developed an industrial design for the device. The main component of the printer - a piezoelectric dispenser - was produced in Russia for the first time. By the end of December 2023, the device is preparing for the start of deliveries.^[2]

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