Method and apparatus for producing biochips

• US 6,955,881 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaami, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): FORMAN, BETTY J
• Application Number:
  US10/251,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20030017496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/174, 435/283.1, 435/287.2, 422/68.1, 422/100, 422/82.01
• US Class Current: 427/2.11
• 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 2219/00369 in multiple or parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00371 comprising electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00387 Applications using probes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00418 using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00529 DNA chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00608 DNA chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00644 the porous medium being present in discrete locations, e.g. gel pads
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00653 the compounds being bound to electrodes embedded in or on the solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00677 Ex-situ synthesis followed by deposition on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00713 Electrochemical synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00725 Peptides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00731 Saccharides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/027 electrostatic forces between substrate and tip
• 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 3/0244 : using pins
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0262 : using touch-off at substrate or container
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• 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 40/12 : Libraries containing saccharides or polysaccharides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1039 : Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mass producing biochips quickly and easily, wherein a plurality of DNA molecules are amplified using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method and transcribing the amplified DNA molecule to other substrates by contact.

Claims

1. A method for producing biochips by arranging one or more sites of DNA, RNA or protein in an array on a substrate having a front side and a back side, wherein DNA, RNA or protein chips are produced by a process comprising the steps of:

positioning at least one pin under, then into a cleaning fluid unit to clean said at least one pin;

repositioning said at least one pin under, then into a solution unit containing a solution of DNA, RNA or protein to provide a droplet of solution on said at least one pin;

repositioning said at least one pin under the substrate;

raising said at least one pinto contact the back side of said substrate;

lowering said at least on pin whereby said droplet is transferred to the back side of said substrate and hangs down from said substrate due to gravity;

applying an electric field to stretch DNA, RNA or protein in the solution toward a positive electrode under said substrate; and

repeating the above steps to produce a biochip.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of pins or a plurality of pins in an array are provided.

3. An apparatus for producing biochips by arranging one or more sites of DNA, RNA or protein in an array on a substrate having a back side and a front side, said apparatus comprising:

a pin holder comprising at least one pin;

a cleaning fluid unit for cleaning a tip of said at least one pin;

a solution unit for supplying a tip of said at least one pin with solution to be deposited;

a stage for moving said at least one pin to enable said cleaning unit to supply cleaning fluid to said tip to cause cleaning thereof and then, to obtain solution from said solution unit on at least a tip of said at least one pin; and

then, to move said at least one pin to a desired position below said back side of said substrate to cause said at least one pin to deposit a droplet from said tip onto said backside of said substrate; and

means for supplying electric current to a first electrode disposed on a surface of said front side of said substrate and a second electrode disposed on said backside of said substrate so as to enable said droplet of said solution on said tip of said at least one pin to be deposited onto and hang down from said back side of said substrate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a plurality of pins or a plurality of pins in an array are provided.