Method for analysing samples of biomolecules in an array

• US 20040236520A1
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Proteome Systems Limited
• Inventors: Gooley, Andrew Arthur, Williams, Keith Leslie, Packer, Nicolle Hannah
• Application Number:
  US10/781,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/22
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0061 The surface being organic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00641 the porous medium being continuous, e.g. porous oxide substrates
• 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: B01J 2219/00702 Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00725 Peptides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00727 Glycopeptides
• 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: G01N 27/44717 Arrangements for investigating the separated zones, e.g. localising zones

Abstract

Described is a method for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the method including recording an image of the position of at least one sample relative to the other samples; utilising the recorded image to allow the application of a reagent or a succession of reagents to at least one sample in situ; and analysing at least one sample for a reaction with the reagent(s). Also described is an apparatus for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the apparatus including (a) a device to record an image of the position of at least one sample relative to the other samples; (b) a device to apply a reagent or sequence of reagents to at least one sample in situ; (c) a device to analyse at least one sample for a reaction with the reagent(s); and (d) a device to control the application of reagent(s) to the samples.

Claims

1. An apparatus for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image recorder that records the position of the at least one sample relative to the other samples in the array;

(b) a dispensing device that applies a reagent or sequence of reagents to the at least one sample in situ;

(c) an analyser that analyses the at least one sample for a reaction to or with the reagent or the sequence of reagents; and

(d) a chemical dispensing control unit that controls the dispensing device, which applies the reagent or the sequence of reagents to the at least one sample according to the position of the at least one sample relative to the other samples in the array determined by the image recorder.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a recorder of the analysis results obtained by the analyser.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image recorder is selected from the group consisting of scanner, photodetector, and charge-coupled device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing device is a chemical printer adapted to apply one or more reagents to the at least one sample.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the analyser is selected from the group consisting of liquid chromatograph, photoelectrical detector, photochemical detector, laser detector, radiochemical detector, and mass spectrometer.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the chemical dispensing control unit is a computer programmed to control the dispensing device.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the array of samples is on a semi-solid or substantially solid support.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the at least one sample analysed has an area less than 100 mm².

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the at least one sample analysed has an area less than 50 mm².

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the at least one sample analysed has an area of 1 to 10 mm².

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispensing device is a jetting device.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analyser is a MALDI-TOF spectrometer or LDI-TOF mass spectrometer.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image recorder is an image acquisition system comprising a digital camera and a computer.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image recorder is a charge-coupled device.

25. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the chemical printer is controlled by a program.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image recorder comprises a charge-coupled device.

5. An apparatus for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image recorder that records the position of the at least one sample relative to the other samples in the array;

(b) a fluid source,

(c) a fluid delivery and sampling device that delivers fluid to a sample in the array and that samples fluid applied to the sample on the array,

(d) an extraction device that retains a reaction product(s) from a sample on the array;

(e) a fluid control device that controls fluid movement from the fluid source to the fluid delivery and sampling device and that controls fluid movement from the sample to the extraction device via the fluid delivery and sampling device; and

(f) an analyser that detects the product.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the fluid control device is a 3-way valve.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the fluid control device comprises a first control device for the fluid delivery and sampling device and a second control device for the extraction device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first and second control devices are piezoelectric control devices.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the fluid is a reagent that reacts with a sample to produce a detectable product capable of being retained by the extraction device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the extraction device is a cartridge of chromatography packing.

20. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the image recorder is an image acquisition system comprising a digital camera and a computer.

22. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the image recorder is a charge-coupled device.

23. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the reagent is an antibody, an extraction solution, or an enzyme.

24. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the array is positioned on an x, y, z adjustable table.