Gene examining apparatus and method of detecting target nucleic acid using the same
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a gene examining apparatus utilizing a computer, the apparatus comprising (1) DNA microarrays in each of which a large number of fine liquid accommodating sections are two-dimensionally arranged so that openings of the fine liquid accommodating sections are located on the same plane, in which each of the liquid accommodating sections can three-dimensionally accommodate a liquid, and in which hybridization reaction occurs in the liquid accommodating section between a target nucleic acid already labeled with an optical marker substance and the nucleic acid probe, and (2) a microscope comprising a stage supporting the DNA microarrays set forth in (1), a temperature regulating section that regulates the temperature of each DNA microarray, and imaging means for picking up an image of an optical signal from the DNA microarray.
18 Citations
27 Claims
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1-22. -22. (canceled)
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23. A method of examining a gene using an apparatus including;
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a DNA microarray including;
a plurality of liquid accommodating sections, and a porous film to contact with said liquid in the liquid accommodating section, wherein openings of said liquid accommodating sections are located on the same plane and said porous film has channels;
a microscope to observe the plane where said openings are located;
a fluid transporting section that moves the fluid into and out of said DNA microarray; and
a computer that controls picking up an image with said microscope and moving the fluid with said fluid transporting section, the method comprising;
a step of providing said DNA microarray with a fluid which includes a nucleic acid added with an optical marker substance; and
a step of withdrawing the fluid from the DNA microarray through said fluid transporting section after the step of providing, but before the step of picking up the image is performed, a step of picking up the image of the DNA microarray with said microscope. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification