Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: Described herein are supports for assaying an analyte and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: Described herein are supports for assaying an analyte and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are supports for assaying an analyte and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: An optical reader system and method are described herein that can detect a lateral and/or angular misalignment of one or more biosensors so that the biosensors can be properly re-located after being removed from and then reinserted into the optical reader system. In one embodiment, the biosensors are incorporated within the wells of a microplate.

Abstract: The present invention includes several methods for modifying the current processes of manufacturing optical sensing microplates that use continuous waveguide films to reduce/eliminate crosstalk between the biosensors that are incorporated within wells. The methods include (1) physically deteriorating/removing the waveguide film between individual biosensors; (2) chemically depositing highly absorbing materials within the waveguide film between individual biosensors; (3) patterning disordered (scattering) regions between the diffraction gratings that define individual biosensors; (4) using a specific mask and depositing individual patches of waveguide film, where each patch defines at least one biosensor. Each of these methods and several other methods described herein prevent the propagation of light between individual sensing regions, thereby eliminating optical crosstalk between the biosensors. The present invention also includes the resulting microplate.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer-coated substrates for binding biomolecules and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A support for performing an assay, including: a substrate having a pre-blocked binding polymer directly or indirectly attached to the substrate, the pre-blocked binding polymer having a plurality of maleic anhydride reactive groups capable of attaching to a biomolecule and a plurality of ionizable groups, the ratio of maleic anhydride reactive groups to ionizable groups is from 0.5 to 10, and the pre-blocked binding polymer does not contain a photoreactive group.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein that uses a scanned optical beam to interrogate a biosensor to determine if a biomolecular binding event occurred on a surface of the biosensor. In one embodiment, the optical reader system includes a light source, a detector and a processor (e.g., computer, DSP). The light source outputs an optical beam which is scanned across a moving biosensor and while this is happening the detector collects the optical beam which is reflected from the biosensor. The computer processes the collected optical beam and records the resulting raw spectral or angle data which is a function of a position (and possibly time) on the biosensor. The processor can then analyze the raw data to create a spatial map of resonant wavelength (peak position) or resonant angle which indicates whether or not a biomolecular binding event occurred on the biosensor. Several other uses of the raw data are also described herein.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a physically stable array of biological membranes, including membrane proteins, on a surface, and the resultant article of manufacture. The method comprises providing a substrate; creating either a polar surface or reactive surface by coating the substrate with a material that either: (1) enhances the stability of lipid spots during withdrawing through a water/air interface and washing and drying protocols; or (2) gives rise to minimal non-specific binding of a labeled target to a background surface, and high specific binding to a probe receptor in said membrane array, or (3) both; and depositing an array of biological-membrane microspots on the substrate. The method may further comprise applying a reagent that includes a soluable protein to stabilize the biological membranes on the surface. Also provided is an article having biological-membrane microspots that are associated in a stable fashion with a substrate surface embodying these properties.

Abstract: Described herein are supports for assaying an analyte and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A method is described herein that can use any one of a number of deposition techniques to create a reference region and a sample region on a single biosensor which in the preferred embodiment is located within a single well of a microplate. The deposition techniques that can be used to help create the reference region and the sample region on a surface of the biosensor include: (1) the printing/stamping of a deactivating agent on a reactive surface of the biosensor; (2) the printing/stamping of a target molecule (target protein) on a reactive surface of the biosensor; or (3) the printing/stamping of a reactive agent on an otherwise unreactive surface of the biosensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to construct multi-component biomolecule or cellular arrays suitable for use in SPR imaging studies of large molecule, cellular/molecular, and cell/cell interactions. Also disclosed are the resulting arrays. The success of the procedure hinges on the use of a reversible protecting group to modify reversibly ?-functionalized alkanethiols self-assembled on metal substrates. The arrays themselves include a metal substrate, a continuous layer of an identical ?-modified alkanthiol adhered to the metal substrate, and one or more discrete spots of biomolecules or cells directly bonded to the continuous layer of ?-modified alkenthiol. The areas of the continuous layer of ?-modified alkenthiol not covered by one of the discrete spots are covered by a background material resistant to non-specific protein binding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a physically stable array of biological membranes, including membrane proteins, on a surface, and the resultant article of manufacture. The method comprises providing a substrate; creating either a polar surface or reactive surface by coating the substrate with a material that either: (1) enhances the stability of lipid spots during withdrawing through a water/air interface and washing and drying protocols; or (2) gives rise to minimal non-specific binding of a labeled target to a background surface, and high specific binding to a probe receptor in said membrane array, or (3) both; depositing an array of biological-membrane microspots on the substrate. The method may further comprise applying a reagent that includes a soluable protein to stabilize the biological membranes on the surface. Also provided is an article having biological-membrane microspots that are associated in a stable fashion with a substrate surface embodying these properties.