Methods for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays

Abstract

Methods for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays by providing a biological chip plate comprising a plurality of test wells, each test well having a biological chip having a molecular probe array; introducing samples into the test wells; subjecting the biological chip plate to manipulation by a fluid handling device that automatically performs steps to carry out reactions between target molecules in the samples and probes; and subjecting the biological chip plate to a biological chip plate reader that interrogates the probe arrays to detect any reactions between target molecules and probes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to methods for concurrently performing multiple biological chip assays. The invention therefore relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of molecular interaction, including chemistry, biology, medicine and diagnostics. New technology, called VLSIPS™, has enabled the production of chips smaller than a thumbnail that contain hundreds of thousands or more of different molecular probes. These biological chips or arrays have probes arranged in arrays, each probe assigned a specific location. Biological chips have been produced in which each location has a scale of, for example, ten microns. The chips can be used to determine whether target molecules interact with any of the probes on the chip. After exposing the array to target molecules under selected test conditions, scanning devices can examine each location in the array and determine whether a target molecule has interacted with the probe at that location. Biological chips...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Several methods of making biological chip plates are contemplated. In one method, a wafer and a body are provided. The wafer includes a substrate and a surface to which is attached a plurality of arrays of probes. The body has a plurality of channels. The body is attached to the surface of the wafer whereby the channels each cover an array of probes and the wafer closes one end of a plurality of the channels, thereby forming test wells defining spaces for receiving samples. In a second method, a body having a plurality of wells defining spaces is provided and biological chips are provided. The chips are attached to the wells so that the probe arrays are exposed to the space. Another embodiment involves providing a wafer having a plurality of probe arrays; and applying a material resistant to the flow of a liquid sample so as to surround the probe arrays, thereby creating test wells.

Problems solved by technology

However, they are not adapted for handling multiple samples simultaneously.

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