Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate using a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid, and using a dispensing head. The head has a reservoir chamber and at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate. The jet includes a capillary delivery chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber, which delivery chamber has an orifice. The jet further includes an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice. The method includes loading the head by positioning the head with the orifice adjacent and facing a biomonomer or biopolymer fluid, and providing a load pressure to the reservoir chamber. The load pressure is sufficiently negative such that the fluid is drawn into the reservoir chamber through the orifice and delivery chamber, while simultaneously being insufficient to result in ambient atmosphere entering the delivery chamber through the orifice once the head has been loaded and no further fluid is facing and adjacent the orifice.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for processing samples on the surface of supports that are contained in support housings. Biopolymer features are attached to the surfaces of the supports. An apparatus comprises an input element, a holding device for holding a plurality of support housings, one or more fluid dispensing stations, and an output element. Each of the support housings contains a support having attached thereto a plurality of biopolymer features. The holding device is movably mounted with respect to other components of the apparatus. The holding device is adapted to receive a support housing from the input element. The output element is adapted to receive a support housing from the holding device. The apparatus is adapted to index each support housing for a predetermined operation. In use, each of the support housings is moved to one or more processing stations by means of the movable holding device. The location and identity of each of the support housings is indexed.

Abstract: A process of constructing an array of chemical moieties having the following steps: forming multiple discrete physical entities (tiles) from a substantially planar material having one or more species of chemical moiety attached thereto; and picking and placing the entities (tiles) stably on a support at spatially distinct ascertainable locations to form an array of chemical moieties. The formed array includes at least two species of chemical moiety and preferably from about 50 to about 1000 species. The claimed invention includes an array formed by this process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product, for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate. The method uses a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid and a drop dispenser having a chamber into which the fluid is loaded and an orifice communicating with the chamber from which the fluid is dispensed. The method includes, when the chamber is loaded, applying a prime pressure to the fluid which varies over a range sufficient to move fluid within the drop dispenser but insufficient to cause fluid to be dispensed from the orifice. Drops are dispensed from the dispenser to the substrate so as to form the array.

Abstract: A method of reading an array of moieties such as polynucleotides (for example, DNA) on at least a portion of a surface of a transparent slide which is opposite a first portion on the opposing surface, which array has been previously exposed to a sample. The method may include mounting the slide on a slide holder and retaining the slide thereon in a mounted position in which the holder does not contact the previously exposed array. The holder is then inserted into an array reader and the array read. A holder and slides which can be used in the method are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products to form arrays of polymers each having a pattern of features on a surface of a flexible elongated web, comprising. In a method polymers or their precursor units are applied at an application station to the surface. Multiple features are covered at a reagent station with a continuous volume of reagent which chemically reacts with precursors or the web. The flexible elongated web is driven in a lengthwise direction through the application station. This sequence may be repeated as needed to form the arrays along the web. Also provided is a method preparing a surface of a flexible elongated web to receive a biopolymer array.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating and identifying chemical moieties. The apparatus employs a micro array device coupled to a detector such as a mass spectrometer system. The apparatus both separates and identifies target molecules without the requirement of extraneous tags or fluorescent markers. Methods for using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Array-based clinical assays and compositions for use in practicing the same are provided. A feature of the subject array-based clinical assays is that they include a sample quality evaluation step that is independent from the clinical assay step of the assays, where the sample quality evaluation step may be performed in a number of different ways. Also provided are compositions, devices and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and kit forms a plurality of closed reaction chambers to simultaneously conduct multiple chemical reactions. The apparatus includes a plate of wells and an array of sets of bound chemical reactants. A well has a deformable closed end and an open end opposite the closed end. When assembled together, the array covers open ends of the wells in the plate to form a reaction assembly having a plurality of closed cells that is one or more of gas, liquid and/or fluid tight. The deformable closed end of the well is flexible such that a test sample is displaced toward a set of chemical reactants in a closed cell for mixing. The array may include spatially arranged prongs distally extending from a support with the sets of chemical reactants bound to distal ends of prongs.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: A process of constructing an array of chemical moieties having the following steps: forming multiple discrete physical entities (tiles) from a substantially planar material having one or more species of chemical moiety attached thereto; and picking and placing the entities (tiles) stably on a support at spatially distinct ascertainable locations to form an array of chemical moieties. The formed array includes at least two species of chemical moiety and preferably from about 50 to about 1000 species. The claimed invention includes an array formed by this process.

Abstract: A method is described for removing residue from a fluid deposited on the interior surface of an inkjet printhead after the printhead has contained or dispensed the fluid at least once. The method makes use of a reverse flushing technique optionally used in combination with sonication. A cleaning station for flushing an inkjet printhead with a wash fluid, rinse fluid, and/or inert gas is provided as well.

Abstract: Array hybridization devices and methods for their use are provided. The subject devices are characterized by having a substantially planar bottom surface, a cover, at least one fluid port and at least one adjustable spacing element for adjusting the spacing between an array and the bottom surface. In using the subject devices, an array is placed on the at least one adjustable spacing element in the chamber and the space between the array and the bottom surface is adjusted by moving the at least one adjustable spacing element. The adjusted array is contacted with at least one biological sample introduced into the chamber. The subject inventions find use in a variety of array-based applications, including nucleic acid array hybridizations.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: A device having multiple individual pieces of flexible array substrate (a “multi-array device”) has a foundation structure with a plurality of array sites and a plurality of individual pieces of flexible array substrate occupying each array site on the foundation structure. In an embodiment the foundation structure has a pedestal supporting a plurality of prongs arranged in an x-y grid layout. Each prong has an array site with an individual piece of flexible array substrate attached thereto. The foundation structure is adapted to mate with a multi-well plate, such as a 96-well microtiter plate, with each individual piece of flexible array substrate being disposed in a well of the plate. Kits containing the multi-array devices and methods of using the multi-array devices for performing multiple hybridization reactions in parallel are taught.

Abstract: Array substrates that have protective layer that includes a metal oxide layer are resistant to the conditions to which the array substrates are exposed, e.g. during their manufacture and/or use. In an embodiments, the array substrates include a reflective layer comprising a metal layer, and the protective layer of metal oxide is typically supported on the metal layer. The metal oxide layer may, in particular embodiments, include the oxide of the metal used in the reflective layer. Chromium, aluminum, titanium, and tantalum are metals of choice for the metal layer, although other metals may be used. The protective layer typically includes oxides of chromium, aluminum, titanium, or tantalum. Methods of forming the substrate using sputtering, evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition are taught.

Abstract: A microfluidic component having a microfluidic channel is joined to an array component having a flexible array substrate. In an embodiment, the array component includes a prefabricated flexible array that couples with the microfluidic component in modular fashion. The modular architecture provides for different combinations of microfluidic components and array components that can be used to create customized processing and analysis tools.

Abstract: Flexible array substrates having a flexible support, a flexible base, a reflective layer, and a transparent layer, in that order, are taught. Methods of forming the flexible array substrates, devices incorporating flexible array substrates, and arrays having probes arranged on a surface of the flexible array substrate are also taught.

Abstract: Devices having microfluidic features and arrays joined to electronics components are described. In an embodiment, the array includes a flexible array substrate. The electronics components have circuitry that may e.g. detect reactions or control conditions on the device via a feedback loop. Modular architecture provides for different combinations of microfluidic components, array components, and/or electronics components that can be used to create customized processing and analysis tools.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product, for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate. The method uses a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid and a drop dispenser having a chamber into which the fluid is loaded and an orifice communicating with the chamber from which the fluid is dispensed. The method includes, when the chamber is loaded, applying a prime pressure to the fluid which varies over a range sufficient to move fluid within the drop dispenser but insufficient to cause fluid to be dispensed from the orifice. Drops are dispensed from the dispenser to the substrate so as to form the array.