Small volume chambers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a reaction chamber having relatively small volumes. An apparatus comprises two elements and a mechanism for introducing a gas to form a movable aerodynamic seal between the elements. In this manner a chamber having a controllable interior environment is formed. One of the elements may have at least a portion of a device for dispensing reagents sealingly affixed therein. The other element may be adapted for introduction of a support into the interior of the chamber formed by the top and the bottom element. The apparatus may be used in methods for synthesizing biopolymers on a support.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 035,787, filed Dec. 24, 2001, from which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to chambers for carrying out procedures such as the preparation of substrates having a plurality of reaction spots. The invention has particular application in the manufacture of supports having bound to the surfaces thereof a plurality of chemical compounds, such as biopolymers, which are prepared on the surface in a series of steps. [0003] In the field of diagnostics and therapeutics, it is often useful to attach species to a surface. One important application is in solid phase chemical synthesis wherein initial derivatization of a substrate surface enables synthesis of polymers such as oligonucleotides and peptides on the substrate itself. Support bound oligomer arrays, part...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an apparatus and method for preparing a chemical compound array on a support. It includes a sealed chamber formed by two elements that can be moved relative to each other and controlled for interior environment. The apparatus can also include a mechanism for introducing a gas to create an aerodynamic seal between the elements. The method involves disposing the support and a dispensing system in a dispensing position relative to activated sites on the support, dispensing reagents to the sites, and removing the dispensing system and support from the position. The invention allows for the controlled preparation of chemical compound arrays and biopolymers on a support."

Problems solved by technology

Since many of the reactions are performed stepwise, any failure during the synthesis results in the wrong product.

Since the arrays provide for a large number of different compounds, the process requires many steps.

The flow of gas inside a large volume chamber with equipment inside is inherently difficult to control.

There is the potential for stagnation zones and consequent non-uniform atmospheric conditions in side the chamber.

Accordingly, configurations that have moving stages outside of the chamber and the substrate inside the chamber increase the inherent errors in the process.

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