Chemical arrays

• US 7,300,798 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Schembri, Carol T., Perbost, Michel G. M., Kanemoto, Roy H., Lefkowitz, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siefke; Samuel P.
• Application Number:
  US10/167,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20030082820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,231 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/56, 422/62, 422/68.1, 422/82.05, 422/82.08, 422/82.09, 422/100, 436/43, 436/44, 436/46, 436/47, 436/69, 436/164, 436/166, 436/172, 436/86
• US Class Current: 436/86
• 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: Y10T 436/110833 Utilizing a moving indicator strip or tape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/143333 Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for using arrays of polymers each having a pattern of features over a corresponding array region on a surface of a flexible elongated web. In this method each array region may be exposed to a corresponding continuous volume of a sample fluid. A method and apparatus are also provided for reading arrays disposed along a surface of a flexible elongated web. In one such method the web with the arrays thereon may be transported in a lengthwise direction past a reading location at which a characteristic of the features is read, while restraining the web on both surfaces on either side of the reading location to assist in maintaining the reading location flat.

Claims

1. A method of reading addressable arrays of different chemical moieties which arrays are disposed along a front surface of a flexible elongated web, comprising transporting the web and the arrays thereon in a lengthwise direction past a detecting location at which a characteristic of the features is detected while supporting the elongated web on a back surface at a position immediately opposite the detecting location, wherein the detecting location moves to scan the web to read said addressable arrays of different chemical moieties disposed along a front surface of said flexible elongated web.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the web is supported at a position immediately opposite the detecting location by being bent over a roller so as to maintain a linear region flat against the roller.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the arrays have been previously exposed to a sample.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the characteristic is dependent upon an amount of a sample component which has bound to the feature.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said chemical moieties are biopolymers.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said biopolymers are peptides.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said blopolymers are nucleic acids.

3. A method of reading addressable arrays of different chemical moieties which arrays are disposed along a surface of a flexible elongated web, comprising transporting the web and the arrays thereon in a lengthwise direction past a detecting location at which an optical characteristic of the features is detected, while restraining the web on both surfaces on either side of the detecting location to assist in maintaining the detecting location flat, wherein the detecting location moves to scan the web to read said addressable arrays of different chemical moieties disposed along a front surface of said flexible elongated web.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the arrays have been previously exposed to a sample.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the optical characteristic is dependent upon an amount of a sample component which has bound to the feature.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the optical characteristic is fluorescence.

21. The method according to claim 3, wherein said chemical moieties are biopolymers.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said biopolymers are peptides.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said biopolymers are nucleic acids.

7. A method of reading addressable arrays of different chemical moieties which arrays are disposed along a surface of a flexible elongated web, comprising transporting the web and the arrays thereon in a lengthwise direction past a detecting location at which an optical characteristic of the features is detected, wherein the web is transported in a path by one or more guides each contacting a web surface along opposite edge margins while not contacting a central portion of the web intermediate the edge margins and the detecting location moves to scan the web to read said addressable arrays of different chemical moieties disposed along a front surface of said flexible elongated web.

12. A method according to claim 7 wherein the arrays have been previously exposed to a sample.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the optical characteristic is dependent upon an amount of a sample component which has bound to the feature.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the optical characteristic is fluorescence.

24. The method according to claim 7, wherein said chemical moieties are biopolymers.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said biopolymers are peptides.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said biopolymers are nucleic acids.

8. A method of reading addressable arrays of different chemical moieties which arrays are disposed along a flexible elongated web, comprising transporting the web and the arrays thereon in a lengthwise direction past a detecting location at which an optical characteristic of the features is detected, wherein the web is supported at the detecting location on a surface opposite that carrying the arrays and the detecting location moves to scan the web to read said addressable arrays of different chemical moieties disposed along a front surface of said flexible elongated web.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the web is supported by a roller at the detecting location on a surface opposite that carrying the arrays.

15. A method according to claim 8 wherein the arrays have been previously exposed to a sample.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the optical characteristic is dependent upon an amount of a sample component which has bound to the feature.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein the optical characteristic is fluorescence.

27. The method according to claim 8, wherein said chemical moieties are biopolymers.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said biopolymers are peptides.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said biopolymers are nucleic acids.