Chemical-library composition and method
First Claim
1. A system for conducting a multiplexed experiment comprising a set of microcarriers including multiple classes of microcarriers, a first class of microcarriers each having a first code configuration characterized by a first optically distinguishable combination of colored spatial indicia, and a second class of microcarriers each having a second code configuration characterized by a second optically distinguishable combination of colored spatial indicia.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for multiplexed detection and quantification of analytes by reacting them with probe molecules attached to specific and identifiable carriers. These carriers can be of different size, shape, color, and composition. Different probe molecules are attached to different types of carriers prior to analysis. After the reaction takes place, the carriers can be automatically analyzed. This invention obviates cumbersome instruments used for the deposition of probe molecules in geometrically defined arrays. In the present invention, the analytes are identified by their association with the defined carrier, and not (or not only) by their position. Moreover, the use of carriers provides a more homogenous and reproducible representation for probe molecules and reaction products than two-dimensional imprinted arrays or DNA chips.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for conducting a multiplexed experiment comprising
a set of microcarriers including multiple classes of microcarriers, a first class of microcarriers each having a first code configuration characterized by a first optically distinguishable combination of colored spatial indicia, and a second class of microcarriers each having a second code configuration characterized by a second optically distinguishable combination of colored spatial indicia.
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2. The system of claim 1, wherein the colored spatial indicia are three-dimensional.
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3. The system of claim 1, wherein each microcarrier is formed at least partially from multiple fibers.
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4. The system of claim 3, wherein the fibers are fused.
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5. The system of claim 3, wherein the fibers comprise glass.
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6. The system of claim 3, wherein the fibers comprise plastic.
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7. The system of claim 3, wherein the fibers in each class of microcarrier are distinctively colored.
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8. The system of claim 1, wherein each microcarrier has a generally flat shape with two substantially parallel planar sides so that the microcarrier tends to lay on one of the planar sides, the code being detectable on the other planar side.
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9. The system of claim 1, further comprising
compounds attached to the microcarriers, wherein the code on a microcarrier identifies the compound carried by the microcarrier.
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10. The system of claim 1, further comprising
cells attached to at least some of the microcarriers, wherein the code on the microcarrier identifies a characteristic of a cell carried by the microcarrier.
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11. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of microcarriers includes at least three classes of microcarriers, each class of microcarrier having a distinctive code configuration.
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12. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcarriers are formed from a flat ribbon of parallel fused colored fibers.
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13. A system for conducting a multi-plexed experiment comprising
a set of microcarriers including multiple classes of micro carriers, a first class of microcarriers each having a first code configuration characterized by a first optically distinguishable combination of colored fibers, and a second class of microcarriers each having a second code configuration characterized by a second optically distinguishable combination of colored fibers.
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14. The system of claim 13, wherein the fibers in each microcarrier are fused together.
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15. The system of claim 13, wherein the fibers are glass.
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16. The system of claim 13, wherein the fibers are plastic.
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17. The system of claim 13, wherein the set of microcarriers includes at least three classes of microcarriers, each class of microcarrier having a distinctive code configuration.
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18. The system of claim 13, wherein each microcarrier has a generally flat shape with two substantially parallel planar sides, so that the microcarrier tends to lay on one of the planar sides, the code being detectable on the other planar side.
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19. The system of claim 13 further comprising
compounds attached to the microcarrier, wherein the code on a microcarrier identifies the compound carried by the microcarrier.
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20. The system of claim 13 further comprising
cells attached to at least some of the microcarriers, wherein the code on a microcarrier identifies a characteristic of a cell carried by the microcarrier.
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21. The system of claim 13, wherein the microcarriers are formed from a flat ribbon of parallel fused colored fibers.
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22. A system for conducting a multiplexed experiment comprising
a set of microcarriers including multiple classes of microcarriers, a first class of microcarriers each having a first optically detectable code, and a second class of microcarriers each having a second optically detectable code, wherein each microcarrier has a generally flat shape with two substantially parallel planar sides, so that the microcarrier tends to lay on one of the planar sides, the code being detectable on the other planar side.
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23. The system of claim 22, wherein each microcarrier is at least partially formed by a combination of differently-colored fibers, the combination of differently color fibers defining the code.
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24. The system of claim 23, wherein the fibers in each microcarrier are fused together.
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25. The system of claim 23, wherein the fibers in each microcarrier comprise glass.
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26. The system of claim 23, wherein the fibers in each microcarrier comprise plastic.
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27. The system of claim 22 further comprising
compounds attached to microcarriers, wherein the code on each microcarrier identifies the compound carried by the microcarrier.
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28. The system of claim 22, wherein each microcarrier is formed from a flat ribbon of parallel fused colored fibers.
Specification