Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a chemistry to samples of interest are provided. The apparatus and method include a flexible tape mounted on an arrangement of guide rollers. Samples of interest (e.g., clusters of DNA templates) are bound to at least one surface of the flexible tape. The method and apparatus further comprise one or more read heads in relation to the flexible tape and a plurality of reservoirs along a path of the flexible tape. The reservoirs comprise liquids comprising chemical reagents for performing the chemistry on the samples of interest bound to the at least one surface of the flexible tape. The method and apparatus further comprise a drive system for driving at least one of the guide rollers to advance the flexible tape into and out of the reservoirs.