Rapid screening assay methods and devices

• US 5,922,617 A
• Filed: 11/12/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Functional Genetics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Functional Genetics Incorporated
• Inventors: Li, Limin, Wang, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BAO THUY L
• Application Number:
  US08/968,659
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 422/50, 422/55, 422/64, 422/67, 422/82.05, 422/82.11, 422/99, 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/7.5, 436/518, 436/523, 436/172, 436/805, 436/809, 204/406
• US Class Current: 436/518
• 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 2219/00378 Piezoelectric or ink jet dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00468 by manipulation of individual beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/005 Beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00536 in the shape of disks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0054 Means for coding or tagging the apparatus or the reagents
• 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 2219/00621 by physical means, e.g. trenches, raised areas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00626 Covalent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0063 Other, e.g. van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00637 by coating it with another layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00648 by the use of solid beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• 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: B01L 3/0241 Drop counters; Drop formers making arrays for combinatorial libraries B01J19/0046; automation of dispensing for analysis G01N35/10
• 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: C40B 70/00 : Tags or labels specially adapted for combinatorial chemistry or libraries, e.g. fluorescent tags or bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 : for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 : whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 : Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 : Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 : Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are employed for determining interactions between different components, of the same or different type of composition. The apparatus provides for arrays of samples in tracks, where light emitting labels are excited and emitted light detected. Headers are provided for defining sites, so that particular interactions can be rapidly detected. Particularly, disks having circular tracks with headers defining sites on the tracks, so that positive signals can be interpreted in relation to the information provided by the header. Various modifications can be made, such as preprepared segments which may then be attached to the disk for assaying.

Claims

1. A system for screening a plurality of components comprising a bound group and a mobile group, said mobile group being labeled either directly or indirectly with a light detectable label, said system comprising:

A. a solid substrate comprising a circular disc having a plurality of concentric tracks of a cross-section in the range of 5 to 5000 μ

m;

particles located at different sites in said tracks, wherein each particle is conjugated with a binding molecule;

headers in said tracks providing distinctive light signals, wherein each header identifies a particular binding molecule;

B. optical means for irradiating said sites to produce a detectable light signal in the presence of label and optical moving means for maintaining said optical means in focus with said solid substrate;

C. a reader for reading said headers and detecting said signal at each of said sites;

D. a focus detector positioned for receiving light from said solid substrate and transmitting a focus signal in relation to the position of said light received by said focus detector; and

E. means for connecting to an electronic circuit for transmitting said signals from said reader for determining the presence of a label at said site, said signal indicates the binding of said bound member to said mobile member, and means for receiving said focus signal from said focus detector and directing said optical moving means to move said optical means to maintain said optical means in focus at said sites.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tracks comprises a plurality of indentations for receiving said particles.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

printing means for depositing said binding members at specific sites on said solid substrate.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said printing means comprises an ink-jet printer.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a motor and platform for rotating said disk.

6. A circular disk comprising:

a plurality of concentric tracks of a cross-section in the range of 5 to 5000 μ

m;

particles in said tracks, wherein each particle is conjugated with a binding molecule;

headers in said tracks providing distinctive light signals, wherein each header identifies a particular binding molecule.

7. The circular disk according to claim 6, wherein said headers comprise indentations, at least two being of different dimensions.

8. The circular disk according to claim 6, wherein each track has a plurality of depressions for receiving said particles.