Hybridization method and hybridization equipment

• US 7,384,780 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaami, Takeo, Katakura, Hisao
• Primary Examiner(s): Beisner; William H
• Application Number:
  US10/730,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20040115723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 435/287.2, 435/287.9, 435/285.2, 204/606, 204/643, 204/403.01
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6825 Nucleic acid detection involving sensors
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/501 being an array of oligonucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/607 being a sensor, e.g. electrode

Abstract

The equipment of the present invention can implement high-speed hybridization with a simple construction and is configured as described below.

The equipment comprises a biochip prepared by fixing biopolymers onto a plurality of sites on a substrate, positive and negative electrodes for generating an electric field along the surface of this biochip substrate, and a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field along the surface of the above biochip substrate, and is configured to move biopolymers movable in the fluid stored over the above-mentioned biochip substrate along the surface of the above biochip substrate as well as to attract the above described biopolymers towards the surface of the above biochip substrate during hybridization of the above biopolymers, by making the above-mentioned electric and magnetic fields act along the surface of the above biochip substrate.

Claims

1. Hybridization equipment comprising:

a biochip prepared by fixing biopolymers to a plurality of sites on a biochip substrate,

positive and negative electrodes for generating an electric field along the surface of said biochip substrate, and

a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field along the surface of said biochip substrate;

wherein the electric and magnetic fields generated by said electrodes and said magnetic field generating means simultaneously act along the surface of said biochip substrate to move said biopolymers along the surface of said biochip substrate in a fluid stored over said biochip substrate and to attract said biopolymers towards the surface of said biochip substrate during hybridization of said biopolymers,

wherein said electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other, and

wherein said positive and negative electrodes are bow-shaped backwards against said sites.

2. Hybridization equipment in accordance with any of claims 1, wherein a direction of moving said biopolymers is changed during hybridization of said biopolymers by changing over directions of said electric and magnetic fields.

3. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 2, wherein said positive and negative electrodes are attached to said substrate directly, or indirectly through fixing members so that said sites are sandwiched between said electrodes.

4. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 2, wherein magnets are used or a coil is used for said magnetic field generating means.

5. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 4, wherein said biochip substrate is placed inside said coil if said coil is employed for said magnetic field generating means.

6. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 2, wherein a DC power supply or an AC power supply is used as the power supply to apply a voltage to said electrodes.

7. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fluid is liquid or gel.

8. Hybridization equipment in accordance with claim 2, wherein said substrate is formed with a plate or wire or mesh.