Analytical biochemistry system with robotically carried bioarray

Abstract

An analytical biochemistry system featuring a substrate with reactants immobilized thereon at fixed, known locations, a holder supporting the substrate and a manipulator for transporting the holder to a fixed sample and to an inspection station. The reactants are binding agents for a target biomolecule in a sample which forms a bound substance having a detectable characteristic. The holder may be a standard pipettor, optionally carried by a robot arm or hand as the manipulator to contact the sample for detection of the presence of target biomolecules within the sample. In one embodiment, the holder is a pipette tip within which the substrate is housed, or it may be a pipette adapter which bears the substrate and fits within the sample wells of a standard microtiter plate. After appropriate incubation, the substrate and holder may be moved from contact with the sample, and the substrate may be exposed to any necessary development steps before being moved by the manipulator to a location for probing, such as by a beam. Probing of the substrate is performed to identify binding or complexing of target biomolecules of the sample with the reactants immobilized on the substrate, and may be accomplished via fluorescence detection, light scattering, autoradiography, or some other detection method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to a system and methods for detecting the presence of target biomolecules within samples with robotic assistance for a sample holder carrying an array of reactants. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Assays for the detection of target biomolecules within a sample, especially of multiple target biomolecules within a sample, are often performed by applying a volume of the sample to a test slide, membrane, or other substrate having immobilized reactants which may interact with the target or targets to form detectable complexes. These immobilized reactants are usually disposed at fixed locations, with samples brought to these locations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,743, for example, discloses a biochemical analysis apparatus wherein an applicator takes up a liquid sample and applies the sample to a fixed position test film for chemical analysis of the sample. [0003] Sometimes complexes of target biomolecules and reactants are visually detectable directly after an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an analytical biochemistry system that automates the analysis of samples for the presence of target biomolecules. The system includes a solid substrate that is supported by a holder and carried by a manipulator. The substrate has a plurality of distinct reactants immobilized on its surface at known locations, forming an array. The substrate is in contact with a sample, and the reactants bind with the target biomolecules in the sample to form immobilized biomolecule complexes. The complexes are then detected using a probe, such as a fluorescence detector. The invention provides a faster and more efficient method for analyzing samples for target biomolecules than traditional methods. The substrate can be created on a separate member or directly on the holder. The technical effects of the invention include improved automation and efficiency in analyzing samples for target biomolecules.

Problems solved by technology

These pipette tips are limited in their sample throughput because they house only a single ligand reagent and thus preclude the detection of multiple analytes within a sample.

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