Abstract: A method has been developed which utilizes functionalized optical fibers as a solid support for the assembly of combinatorial libraries of compounds. The optical fibers are used to direct light, heat or a combination thereof to the compounds tethered to the fibers surface. Utilizing the method of the instant invention reactions occurring by both photochemically and thermally allowed pathways are accessible. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical fibers are used to screen the array by fluorescence spectroscopy of labeled target molecules which bind to the immobilized library compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymerizable complex containing a covalently attached nucleic acid molecule which, under appropriate conditions, is capable of copolymerization with a second polymerizable ethylene-containing monomer unit to form a polymerized layer. The polymerized layer containing attached nucleic acid is useful in a variety of contexts including, for example, hybridization assays. The polymerized layer containing the covalently attached nucleic acid molecule can be formed into a variety of shapes, or attached to a formed material through appropriate chemistry.