Process and apparatus for the production of biopolymer arrays

• US 20030143316A1
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BASF AG (BASF SE), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
• Original Assignee: BASF AG (BASF SE), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
• Inventors: Matysiak, Stefan, Eipel, Heinz
• Application Number:
  US10/240,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20030143316A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00315 Microtiter plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00367 capillary
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00369 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00389 Feeding through valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/004 Pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00403 in multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00418 using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00603 Making arrays on substantially continuous surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00691 using robots
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0265 using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries

Abstract

The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing biopolymer fields (15) on support substrates (4), (14), where the biopolymers to be applied can be taken from one or more different biopolymer stocks. A multidimensionally movable capillary tip (1) of a capillary tube (2) is, for the transfer of extremely small liquid quantities to substrate surfaces (14), addressed via a miniature valve (5) serving for filling and a miniature valve (7) serving for rinsing of the capillary tube (2).

Claims

1. A process for the production of biopolymer fields (15) on surfaces (14) of support substrates (4), where the biopolymers to be applied are taken from one or more different sample stocks (3), wherein, a multidimensionally movable capillary tip (1) of a capillary tube (2) is, for the transfer of extremely small liquid quantities to substrate surfaces (14), addressed via a miniature valve (5) serving for filling and via a miniature valve (7) serving for rinsing of the capillary tube (2).

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of capillary tubes (2) are connected to the miniature valves (5), (7).

3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of capillary tubes (2) are operated in parallel to one another.

4. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the separation at which the plurality of capillary tubes (2) are arranged to one another corresponds to the separation of the stock vessels (3) to one another on a presentation plate.

5. A process as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, wherein the one or more capillary tubes (2) can be moved in the X- and Y-directions and execute an immersion movement (12) in the Z-direction in order to take up a liquid stock (13) from the sample container (3).

6. A process as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, wherein a commercially available computer-supported plotter is employed for moving the one or more capillary tubes (2) in the X-direction and Y-direction.

7. A process as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, wherein a computer-supported positioning stage is employed for moving the one or more capillary tubes (2) in the X-direction or Y-direction.

8. An apparatus for the production of biopolymer fields (15) on surfaces (14) of support substrates (4), where the biopolymers to be applied are taken from one or more different sample stocks (3), wherein one or more multidimensionally movable glass capillary tubes (2) with capillary tip (1) are, for the transfer of extremely small liquid quantities to substrate surfaces (14), addressed via a first miniature valve (5) serving for filling and via a miniature valve (7) serving for rinsing of the capillary tube (2).

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the capillary tips (1) have been drawn out to an external diameter in the range from 10 μ

m to 1000 μ

m at the end which takes up liquid.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the capillary tube tip (1) has an external diameter of from 50 μ

m to 300 μ

m at the end which takes up liquid.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the addressing of one or more capillary tubes (2) is effected by a computer-supported X/Y plotter, which causes movement of the capillary tube(s) (2) in the X-direction and/or Y-direction.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the miniature valves (5), (7) are in the form of constricted tube valves.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the constricted tube valves (5), (7) are designed as stops surrounding a flexible feed line (19) to the glass capillary (2), one of which stops is fixed relative to the flexible tube line (19) and the other of which is movable with respect to the fixed stop, for narrowing the cross section in order to effect a closure in the flexible tube line (19).