Testing multiple fluid samples with multiple biopolymer arrays

• US 7,247,497 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Schleifer, Arthur, Schembri, Carol T., Amorese, Douglas A., Dahm, SueAnn C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siefke; Samuel P.
• Application Number:
  US10/160,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20020146841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 436/180, 436/63, 436/172, 436/512, 436/518, 422/55, 422/56, 422/57, 422/58, 422/61, 422/68.1, 422/69
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A method of testing multiple fluid samples with multiple biopolymer arrays. A cover is assembled to a contiguous substrate carrying on a first side, multiple arrays each with multiple regions of biopolymers linked to the substrate, such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own port. Multiple fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through a port of each such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays. A binding pattern of the arrays is observed. An apparatus and kit useful in such methods, are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of testing multiple fluid samples, said method comprising:

(a) providing a substrate carrying multiple arrays on a first side of said substrate where each array comprises multiple regions of biopolymers linked to said substrate in a predetermined configuration;

(b) assembling a cover to the first side of the substrate such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own first and second ports positioned on the same side of said substrate;

(b) introducing multiple test samples and a reference sample into respective chambers through a port of each chamber such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays, wherein at least one of the arrays is exposed to a test sample under a first set of conditions and at least another one of the arrays is exposed to a reference sample but not test sample under the same set of conditions; and

(c) observing a binding pattern of the arrays.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through respective first ports while venting through respective second ports.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the arrays are rinsed by introducing a rinse solution through respective first ports while venting through respective second ports.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying an external force to retain the cover and substrate in an assembled position.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the external force is applied using a coupler which extends between the substrate and the cover.

11. A method according to claim 2 wherein the ports are closed prior to sample introduction and venting.

12. A method according to claim 3 wherein the ports are closed prior to sample introduction and venting.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the chambers containing the arrays are closed.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the arrays are contacted with samples by exposing the arrays to pressure differentials.

4. A method of testing multiple fluid samples, said method comprising:

(a) providing a substrate carrying multiple arrays on a first side of said substrate where each array comprises multiple regions of nucleic acids linked to said substrate in a predetermined configuration;

(b) assembling a cover to the first side of the substrate such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own first and second ports positioned on the same side of said substrate;

(b) introducing the multiple test samples and reference sample into respective chambers through a port of each chamber such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays, wherein at least one of the arrays is exposed to a test sample under a first set of conditions and at least another one of the arrays is exposed to a reference sample but not test sample under the same set of conditions; and

(c) observing a binding pattern of the arrays.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through respective first ports while venting through respective second ports.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the arrays are rinsed by introducing a rinse solution through respective first ports while venting through respective second ports.

9. A method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of applying an external force to retain the cover and substrate in an assembled position.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the external force is applied using a coupler which extends between the substrate and the cover.

13. A method according to claim 5 wherein the ports are closed prior to sample introduction and venting.

14. A method according to claim 6 wherein the ports are closed prior to sample introduction and venting.

16. A method according to claim 4, wherein the chambers containing the arrays are closed.

18. A method of testing multiple fluid samples, said method comprising:

(a) providing a planar substrate carrying multiple arrays on a first side of said planar substrate where each array comprises multiple regions of biopolymers linked to said substrate in a predetermined configuration;

(b) assembling a cover to the first side of the substrate such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own port positioned on the same side of said substrate;

(b) introducing multiple test samples and reference sample into respective chambers through a port of each chamber such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays, wherein at least one of the arrays is exposed to a test sample under a first set of conditions and at least another one of the arrays is exposed to a reference sample but not test sample under the same set of conditions; and

(c) observing a binding pattern of the arrays.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein each chamber is accessible through a first and a second port.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through respective first ports while venting through respective second ports.