Microfabricated spotting apparatus for producing low cost microarrays

• US 20030166263A1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Haushalter, Xiao-Dong Sun
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Haushalter, Xiao-Dong Sun
• Inventors: Sun, Xiao-Dong, Haushalter, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US10/220,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20030166263A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• 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 2219/00317 Microwell devices, i.e. having large numbers of wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0059 Sequential processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00619 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic regions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00626 Covalent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00725 Peptides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0244 using pins
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/547 for dispensing pins
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 1/006 Microdevices formed as a single homogeneous piece, i.e. wherein the mechanical function is obtained by the use of the device, e.g. cutters
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/06 : Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/10 : Libraries containing peptides or polypeptides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 : Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1011 : Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1074 : arranged in a two-dimensional array

Abstract

An improved apparatus for producing microarrays of chemical and biochemical materials. The apparatus includes one or more pins, a holder for the pins and a dispensing tray for holding one or more liquids. The apparatus is microfabricated from semiconductor materials such as silicon, silicone oxides, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, polymers, ceramics, non-ferric alloys using chemical and physical microfabrication and photolithographic techniques.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing a microarray, the apparatus comprising:

a pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate, the pin including;

a dispensing tip at a first end thereof; and

a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip;

wherein the pin is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a holder for touching the pin to the substrate to deposit the predetermined volume of the liquid on the substrate, the holder including;

a first planar member having a first aperture extending therethrough for receiving the pin;

wherein the holder is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holder further includes:

a second planar member having a second aperture extending therethrough for receiving a bottom portion of the pin, the second planar member disposed under the first planar member such that the apertures are in axial alignment with one another.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the aperture in the first planar member of the holder and the pin include a surface arrangement that prevents rotation of the pin in the aperture.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin further includes:

a head disposed at a second end thereof that engages the first planar member of the holder to prevent the pin from falling through the holder.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a dispensing tray having an array of wells which each hold a liquid;

wherein the tray is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

8. The apparatus of according to claim 7, wherein the holder defines a predetermined aperture density, the dispensing tray defining a predetermined well density that is equal to the predetermined aperture density of the holder.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 32 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 64 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 128 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

12. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 500 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

13. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 1,000 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

14. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 5,000 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

15. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 10,000 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

16. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of up to 100,000 apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins.

17. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density of about 1 aperture 10 mm , the aperture density providing a maximum pin density of about1 pin per 10 mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

18. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 0.1 and 1 aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 0.1 and 1 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

19. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 1 and 10 aperture/mm , the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 1 and 10 pin/mm , the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

20. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10 and 100 aperture/mm , the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10 and 100 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

21. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 100 and 1000 aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 100 and 1000 pin/mm² , the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

22. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10³ and 10⁴ aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10³ and 10⁴ pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

23. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10⁴ and 10⁵ aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10⁴ and 10⁵ pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

24. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of pins and the aperture in the first planar member of the holder comprises an array of apertures, each of the apertures for receiving one of the pins, the array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10⁵ and 10⁶ aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10⁵ and 10^{6 pin/mm2}, the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

25. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a dispensing tray having a well for holding a liquid;

wherein the tray is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a dispensing tray having a well for holding a liquid;

wherein the tray is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density of about 1 well/ 10 mm².

28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 0.1 and 1 well/mm².

29. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 1 and 10 well/mm².

30. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10 and 10² well/mm².

31. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10² and 10³ well/mm².

32. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10³ and 10⁴ well/mm².

33. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10⁴ and 10⁵ well/mm².

34. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10⁵ and 10⁶ well/mm .

35. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pin further includes:

a channel for transferring the liquid between the reservoir and the dispensing tip.

36. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises about 0.1 mL.

37. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.1 mL and 10 μ

L.

38. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 μ

L and 10 μ

L.

39. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 100 nL and 1000 nL.

40. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10 nL and 100 nL.

41. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 nL and 10 nL.

42. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 100 pL and 1000 pL.

43. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10 pL and 100 pL.

44. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 pL and 10 pL.

45. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.1 pL and 1 pL.

46. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.01 pL and 0.1 pL.

47. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises about 10⁻

2 pL.

48. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10⁻

3 and 10<sup>−

4</sup> pL.

49. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of about 1 to 10 mm².

50. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of about 10⁵ μ

m².

51. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁴ and 10⁵μ

m².

52. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10³ and 10⁴μ

m².

53. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10² and 10³μ

m².

54. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10 and 10² μ

m².

55. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 1 and 10 μ

m².

56. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

1 and 1 μ

m².

57. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

1 and 10<sup>−

2</sup> μ

m².

58. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

1 and 10<sup>−

2</sup> μ

m².

59. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

3 and 10<sup>−

4 μ

m2</sup>.

60. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

4 and 10<sup>−

5 μ

m2</sup>.

61. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁻

5 and 10<sup>−

6 μ

m2</sup>.

120. A microarray made with the apparatus according to claim 1, the microarray comprising a biological reagent selected from the group consisting of proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, DNA, oligonucleotides, RNA, and mixtures of molecules from 70 to 76.

122. A microarray made with the apparatus according to claim 1, the microarray comprising a functional solid state material.

123. The microarray according to claims 122, wherein the functional solid state material comprises quantum dots.

126. A microarray made with the apparatus according to claim 1, the microarray comprising a functional liquid dots.

127. The microarray according to claims 126, wherein the functional liquid dots comprise sensors.

62. A pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce a microarray, the pin comprising:

a dispensing tip at a first end thereof; and

a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip,

wherein the pin is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

63. The pin according to claim 62, further comprising:

a head disposed at a second end thereof that enables the pin to be handled.

64. The pin according to claim 62, fuither comprising:

a channel for transferring the liquid between the reservoir and the dispensing tip.

65. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises about 0.1 mL.

66. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.1 mL and 10 μ

L.

67. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 μ

L and 10 μ

L.

68. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 100 nL and 1000 nL.

69. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10 nL and 100 nL.

70. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 nL and 10 nL.

71. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 100 pL and 1000 pL.

72. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10 pL and 100 pL.

73. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 1 pL and 10 pL.

74. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.1 pL and 1 pL.

75. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 0.01 pL and 0.1 pL.

76. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises about 10⁻

2 pL.

77. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume comprises between about 10−

3 and 10<sup>−

4</sup> pL.

78. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of about 1 to 10 mm².

79. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of about 10⁵ μ

m².

80. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10⁴ and 10⁵ μ

m².

81. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10³ and 10⁴ μ

m².

82. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10² and 10³ μ

m².

83. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10 and 10²μ

m².

84. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 1 and 10 μ

m².

85. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

1 and 1 μ

m².

86. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

1 and 10−

2μ

m².

87. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

1 and 10−

2μ

m².

88. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

3 and 10−

4μ

m².

89. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

4 and 10−

5μ

m².

90. The pin according to claim 62, wherein the predetermined volume of the liquid deposited on the substrate forms a spot having an area of between about 10−

5 and 10−

6μ

m².

121. A microarray made with the pin according to claim 62, the microarray comprising a biological reagent selected from the group consisting of proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, DNA, oligonucleotides, RNA, and mixtures of molecules from 70 to 76.

124. A microarray made with the pin according to claim 62, the microarray comprising a functional solid state material.

125. The microarray according to claims 124, wherein the functional solid state material comprises quantum dots.

128. A microarray made with the pin according to claim 62, the microarray comprising a functional liquid dots.

129. The microarray according to claims 128, wherein the functional liquid dots comprise

91. A holder for use in producing a microarray, the holder comprising:

a first planar member; and

a first aperture extending through the planar member for receiving a pin that deposits a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce the microarray;

wherein the holder is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

92. The holder according to claim 91, further comprising:

a second planar member having a second aperture extending therethrough for receiving a bottom portion of the pin, the second planar member disposed under the first planar member such that the apertures are in axial alignment with one another.

93. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 32 apertures.

94. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 64 apertures.

95. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 128 apertures.

96. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 500 apertures.

97. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 1,000 apertures.

98. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 5,000 apertures.

99. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 10,000 apertures.

100. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of up to 100,000 apertures.

101. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density of about1 aperture/10 mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density of about 1 pin per 10 mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

102. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 0.1 and 1 aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 0.1 and 1 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

103. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 1 and 10 aperture/mm^{2 , the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about} 1 and 10 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

104. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10 and 100 aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10 and 100 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

105. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 100 and 1000 aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 100 and 1000 pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

106. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10³ and 10⁴ aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10³ and 10⁴ pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

107. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10⁴ and 10⁵ aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10⁴ and pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

108. The holder according to claim 91, wherein the aperture in the first planar member comprises an array of apertures having an aperture density between about 10⁵ and 10⁶aperture/mm², the aperture density providing a maximum pin density between about 10⁵ and 10⁶ pin/mm², the pin density determining a density of the resulting microarray.

109. A dispensing tray for use in producing a microarray, the dispensing tray comprising:

a well for holding a liquid;

wherein the tray is microfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys.

110. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density of about 1 well/10 mm².

111. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 0.1 and 1 well/mm².

112. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 1 and 10 well/mm².

113. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10 and 10² well/mm².

114. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10² and 10³ well/mm².

115. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 10³ and 10⁴ well/mm².

116. The dispensing tray according to claim 109, wherein the well of the dispensing tray comprises an array of wells for holding liquids, the array of wells having a well density between about 104 and 105 well/mm².

117. A method of making a pin for depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce a microarray, the pin having a dispensing tip at a first end thereof and a reservoir communicating with the dispensing tip, the method comprising:

selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;

generating design parameters of the pin; and

fabricating the pin from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.

118. A method of making a holder for use in producing a microarray, the holder having a first planar member and a first aperture extending through the planar member for receiving a pin that deposits a predetermined volume of a liquid on a substrate to produce the microarray, the method comprising:

selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;

generating design parameters of the holder; and

fabricating the holder from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.

119. A method of making a dispensing tray for use in producing a microarray, the dispensing tray having a well for holding a liquid, the method comprising:

selecting at least one material from the group consisting of semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, and non-ferric alloys;

generating design parameters of the dispensing tray; and

fabricating the dispensing tray from the selected at least one material in accordance with the generated design parameters using at least one technique selected from the group consisting of photolithography, photoresist technology, micro electromechanical system technology, laser cutting, water jet cutting, electronic discharge machine cutting, and precision micromaching.