Abstract: The present invention relates to bio-molecule resistant surfaces for use in assays, particularly in assay devices such as arrays and microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A method for depositing a volume of fluid relative to a surface to produce a droplet relative to the surface comprising the steps of forming a bolus of liquid relative to a dispensing member, causing the bolus of liquid to make contact with a surface thereby forming a bridge of liquid between the dispensing member and the surface, and retracting only a portion of the bolus of liquid to break the bridge of liquid between the dispensing member and the surface thereby depositing a droplet on the surface. A volume of a droplet can be adjusted by forming a bridge of liquid between a dispensing member and a surface that includes an initial droplet and breaking the bridge of liquid while leaving a remaining droplet of a different volume than the initial droplet.

Abstract: Methods of producing ligand arrays, e.g., polypeptide and nucleic acid arrays, as well as the arrays produced thereby, methods for use of the arrays and kits that include the same, are provided. In the subject methods, a substrate having a surface displaying olefinic functional groups, e.g., olefin groups having a single site of unsaturation, are modified such that the olefinic functional groups are converted to ligand reactive functional groups. The resultant substrate is then contacted with ligands, e.g., via deposition of each different ligand onto a different region of the surface, resulting in covalent attachment of the contacted ligand to the surface via reaction with the ligand reactive functional groups. Ligand arrays produced via the subject methods demonstrate a number of desirable properties, e.g., nucleic acid arrays produced by the subject methods provide high signal intensity with low background in nucleic acid hybridization assays, etc.

Abstract: Methods for stably associating a polyelectrolyte coating or film to a substrate surface, as well as the coated substrates produced thereby, are disclosed herein. In the subject methods, substrate surfaces are coated with a polyelectrolyte, and the coated substrate surfaces are treated with a bifunctional molecule under conditions sufficient to stably associate the film to the array surface. The subject methods find use in a variety of different applications, including the production of mircoarrarys.