Abstract: An embodiment of a method for optimizing sequencing performance is described that comprises the steps of calculating a nucleotide species specific degradation rate of an apyrase enzyme for a plurality of nucleotide species; determining a concentration for each of the nucleotide species using the nucleotide species specific degradation rate; iteratively providing the concentration of each of the nucleotide species in a reaction environment comprising a polymerase enzyme and a species of template nucleic acid molecule, wherein one or more molecules of the nucleotide species are incorporated into a nascent molecule in a sequencing reaction and the apyrase enzyme is introduced to the reaction environment to degrade unincorporated nucleotide species molecules; and detecting a signal in response to the incorporation of the nucleotide species.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling flow motion in a channel/cavity in a microfluidic system includes positioning at least one pair of electrodes in and/or proximate to the channel/cavity. A buffer solution is placed in the channel/cavity, the buffer solution having at least one dielectric property that varies in response to changes in temperature of the solution. An AC/DC voltage is applied to the electrodes to generate an electric field in the channel/cavity; the AC voltage having a known magnitude and frequency and the DC voltage having a known magnitude. The magnitude of the AC/DC voltage is adjusted to cause Joule heating of the buffer solution in the channel/cavity. The geometry and position of the electrodes is adjusted to generate a temperature gradient in the buffer solution, thereby causing a non-uniform distribution of the dielectric property within the solution in the channel/cavity. The dielectric non-uniformity produces a body force and flow in the solution.