Apparatus for the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides

• US 4,728,502 A
• Filed: 04/26/1985
• Issued: 03/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brendan J. Hamill
• Original Assignee: Brendan J. Hamill
• Inventors: Hamill, Brendan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US06/727,446
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 422/62, 422/68, 422/70, 422/71, 422/131, 422/134, 422/116, 422/171, 422/177, 422/180, 422/191, 422/129, 422/209, 436/55, 436/89, 436/90, 436/94, 435/287, 435/288, 435/289, 935/88, 210/489, 210/498
• US Class Current: 422/116
• 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 2219/00313 the reactor vessels being formed by arrays of wells in blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00326 Movement by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00423 using filtration, e.g. through porous frits
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00488 by rotation of the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/005 Beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0054 Means for coding or tagging the apparatus or the reagents
• 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 2219/00686 Automatic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 21/00 Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/06 Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 70/00 Tags or labels specially adapted for combinatorial chemistry or libraries, e.g. fluorescent tags or bar codes

Abstract

Apparatus for carrying out a multiplicity of different sequential chemical syntheses on solid-supports simultaneously comprises a multiplicity of complementary support plates each formed with a reaction chamber opening through the plate and containing the solid-support together with at least one by-pass channel through the plate. The by-pass channel or channels and reaction chamber are disposed equi-angularly and at the same radial distance about an axis of the plate. The plates are rotatably supported in compression in face to face contact between end plates complementary to the plates and each formed with a blank position and passages for at least one reactant stream. Means is provided for independently rotating each plate whereby each reaction chamber of each plate may independently be isolated or positioned in the or a selected reactant stream.

Claims

1. Apparatus for simultaneously carrying ot a multiplicity of different chemical and biochemical syntheses on solid supports comprising a multiplicity of support plates each formed with passageways therethrough, one of said passageways through each plate containing a reaction chamber having a solid support;

said other passageways each providing a by-pass channel without a solid support, said by-pass channels and reaction chamber being disposed equi-angularly and at the same radial distance about an axis of each plate, means for holding said plates in rotatable alignment about said axis in compression and in face-to-face fluid tight relationship, holding means including end plates complementary to the plates and each formed with a blank position and passages for at least one reactant stream, and means for independently rotating each plate whereby each rotation chamber of each plate may be isolated from or positioned in a selected reactant stream.

2. Apparatus which comprises a series of plates clamped together, means for moving each plate relative to the others, one reaction chamber in each plate which chamber is equipped with an inlet and outlet for the passage of fluids and including a solid support material between said inlet and outlet;

each plate also containing a plurality of other fluid passageways without solid support; and

means for aligning each plate so as to allow passage of different fluid streams through the passageways in the series of plates, irrespective of the orientation of the reaction chamber in any individual plate relative to the orientation of the reaction chamber in any other plate in the apparatus.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 provided with means for interfacing with a computer.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer controls supply of fluids to the fluid passages.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the computer further controls the alignment of the plates.