Rapid hybridization based on cyclical electric fields
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for rapid hybridization, comprising:
- (a) a chamber having a buffer, a first molecule, and a second molecule;
(b) two electrodes, spaced on either side of said chamber, and in direct contact with said buffer; and
(c) a cyclical electric field generator to establish a cyclical electric field between said two electrodes to electrically move said first molecule across said buffer in a cyclical pattern to bind said first molecule with said second molecule
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Abstract
An apparatus for rapid hybridization of molecules and its methods of use is provided. The apparatus generates cyclical electric fields for electrically moving molecules to specifically enhance the binding efficiency of the molecules with other molecules. The apparatus includes an electrode pair that is in direct contact with a buffer, which includes the molecules. The electrodes and/or a lid could be used to vent generated gases. A temperature controlling means could be used to control the temperature of the buffer. The apparatus is amenable to use with a wide variety of microarrays making it cost-effective.
13 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for rapid hybridization, comprising:
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(a) a chamber having a buffer, a first molecule, and a second molecule;
(b) two electrodes, spaced on either side of said chamber, and in direct contact with said buffer; and
(c) a cyclical electric field generator to establish a cyclical electric field between said two electrodes to electrically move said first molecule across said buffer in a cyclical pattern to bind said first molecule with said second molecule - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of rapid hybridization of molecules comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a chamber with a buffer, a first molecule and a second molecule;
b. providing two electrodes on either side of said chamber and in direct contact with said buffer; and
c. generating a cyclical electric field between said two electrodes to electrically move said first molecule across said buffer in a cyclical pattern to bind said first molecule with said second molecule. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of rapid hybridization of molecules comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a chamber having a buffer and two electrodes in direct contact with said buffer and positioned on either side of said chamber;
(b) forming a layer of immobile first molecules on a substrate and placing said layer of immobile first molecules in said chamber;
(c) adding a second mobile molecule in said buffer;
(d) establishing a cyclical electric field between said two electrodes and across said buffer;
(e) electrically moving said second molecule, across said buffer, in a cyclical pattern, binding said second mobile molecule with said layer of immobile first molecules on a substrate, and forming a layer of hybridized first and second molecules on a substrate;
(f) removing the said layer of hybridized first and second molecules on a substrate;
(g) denaturing the said layer of hybridized first and second molecules on a substrate and forming a denatured second molecule(s), and the said layer of immobile first molecules on a substrate;
(h) harvesting said denatured second molecules;
(i) placing the said layer of immobile molecules on a substrate back into said buffer with said second molecule; and
(j) repeating the steps “
d”
through “
i”
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31. A method of rapidly dissociating molecules comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a chamber having a buffer and two electrodes in direct contact with said buffer and positioned on either side of said chamber;
(b) forming in said chamber a layer of second molecules bound to a layer of immobile first molecules on a substrate, and placing said layer of second molecules bound to said layer of immobile first molecules on said substrate; and
(c) establishing a cyclical electric field between said two electrodes and across said buffer to electrically unbind said second molecule from said layer of second molecules bound to said layer of immobile first molecules on said substrate.
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Specification