Biochip

• US 6,753,144 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NGK Insulators Limited
• Original Assignee: NGK Insulators Limited
• Inventors: Ohnishi, Takao, Hirota, Toshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): FORMAN, BETTY J
• Application Number:
  US09/868,832
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/287.2, 435/283.1, 435/174, 422/68.1, 422/100, 536/23.1
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• 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 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00369 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00378 Piezoelectric or ink jet dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00527 Sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00529 DNA chips
• 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 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00608 DNA chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00637 by coating it with another layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/021 Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/027 : electrostatic forces between substrate and tip
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0439 : ultrasonic vibrations, vibrating piezo elements
• 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: B01L 3/0268 : using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5088 : confining liquids at a location by surface tension, e.g. virtual wells on plates, wires B01L3/50857 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/54 : Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes automated pipetting stations G01N35/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 : using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/507 : characterised by the density of the capture oligonucleotide
• 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: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1039 : Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 : provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

When genetic analyses are performed using the DNA microarray of the present invention, the inspection accuracy is improved. A sample solution is supplied onto a base plate 10 to prepare the DNA microarray 20 which includes a large number of spots 80 containing capture solutions arranged on the base plate 10. The capture solutions are adapted to specifically react with a specimen and provide information about a structure within the specimen. In the microarray 20, the planar configuration of the spots 80 are substantially circular, and a plurality of spots having different spot sizes are formed on the base plate.

Claims

1. A biochip comprising a large number of spots containing DNA arranged on a base plate, obtained by supplying, onto said base plate by means of an ink jet system, a plurality of types of capture solutions containing said DNA each of which is adapted to specifically react with a specimen and provide information about a structure within the specimen, wherein:

a plurality of said spots, which have different spot sizes, are formed on said base plate, wherein all of said spots have uniform detection sensitivity.

2. A biochip according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spots are formed from the same capture solution.

3. A biochip according to claim 2, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein a force of the discharge is controlled electrically.

4. A biochip according to claim 2, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein the number of times of discharge at each spot and a force of the discharge are electrically controlled, respectively.

5. A biochip according to claim 1, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein a force of the discharge is controlled electrically.

6. A biochip according to claim 1, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein the number of times of discharge at each spot and a force of the discharge are electrically controlled, respectively.

7. A biochip comprising a large number of spots of DNA containing a capture material therein arranged on a base plate, obtained by supplying, onto said base plate by means of an ink jet system, a plurality of types of capture solutions containing said DNA each of which is adapted to specifically react with a specimen and provide information about a structure within the specimen, wherein:

a plurality of said spots are formed in which the concentration of the capture material in the capture solution varies from spot to spot, wherein all of said spots have uniform detection sensitivity.

8. A biochip according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of spots are formed from the same capture solution.

9. A biochip according to claim 8, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein a force of the discharge is controlled electrically.

10. A biochip according to claim 8, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein the number of times of discharge at each spot and a force of the discharge are electrically controlled, respectively.

11. A biochip according to claim 7, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an inkjet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein a force of the discharge is controlled electrically.

12. A biochip according to claim 7, wherein said spots containing said DNA are formed by a method using an ink-jet system, in which said capture solution is impacted onto said base plate after being discharged into the atmosphere, and wherein the number of times of discharge at each spot and a force of the discharge are electrically controlled, respectively.

13. A biochip comprising a large number of spots of containing DNA therein arranged on a base plate, obtained by supplying, onto said base plate by means of an ink jet system, a plurality of types of capture solutions containing said DNA each of which is adapted to specifically react with a specimen and provide information about a structure within the specimen, wherein:

a plurality of said spots are formed in which the concentration of said DNA in the capture solutions varies from spot to spot, wherein all of said spots have uniform detection sensitivity and said base plate comprises glass.