Method and apparatus for producing biochips

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mass producing biochips quickly and easily, wherein a plurality of DNA molecules are amplified using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method and transcribing the amplified DNA molecule to other substrates by contact.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing biochips, comprising: 
 means for amplifying a plurality of DNA molecules previously prepared on a mother substrate using a PCR method; and    means for transcribing the amplified molecules to other substrates by direct contact while maintaining the positional relationship of sites.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for amplifying comprises means for applying PCR on a first copy substrate or applying PCR with said mother substrate coupled to said first copy substrate.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mother substrate and said other substrates are made of a porous material.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for transcribing comprises means for pressurizing or heating said sites on said mother substrate from a backside thereof thereby to facilitate DNA transcribing to said other substrates.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising means for forming walls for separating said sites.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising means for shaping said mother substrate to be arched; and wherein said means for transcribing comprises means for rotating said mother substrate so that DNA is transcribed to other substrates.  
     
     
         7 . A method for producing biochips by arranging sites of DNA, RNA or protein in arrays on a substrate, wherein DNA, RNA or protein chips are produced by using a process comprising at least one of the following steps: 
 depositing a solution containing DNA, RNA or protein onto said substrate from a backside thereof; and    applying positive and negative voltages to an electrode on a side of said substrate and to an electrode on the side of said substrate onto which said solution is deposited.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for producing biochips by arranging sites of DNA, RNA or protein in arrays on a substrate, comprising at least one of the following: 
 means for deposting a DNA, RNA or protein solution onto said substrate from a backside thereof; and    means for applying positive and negative voltages to an electrode on a side of said substrate and to an electrode on the side of said substrate onto which said solution is deposited.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said means for depositing comprises means for depositing said solution onto said substrate using a plurality of pins or an array of pins.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for depositing comprises means for cleaning tips of said plurality of pins or pins in said array of pins; and means for depositing a solution containing DNA, RNA or protein onto said tips, said plurality of pins and said pins in said array of pins being brought into contact with a cleaning fluid and said solution from either the backside or topside of said substrate, in the same manner as said solution being deposited onto said substrate.  
     
     
         11 . A method for producing biochips by arranging biomolecules in arrays on a substrate, wherein said biomolecules are deposited onto the substrate using a capillary array comprising a plurality of capillaries arranged at the same spacing interval as that of sites on said substrate.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said biomolecules are deposited by applying voltage across said capillary array and said substrate.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said biomolecules are deposited by pressurizing each capillary of said capillary array.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein DNA contained within said capillary array is amplified within said capillaries thereof by polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said polymerase chain reaction is performed by atmospheric temperature change or by heating with laser irradiation.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for producing biochips by arranging biomolecules in arrays on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: 
 capillary holder means for supporting a plurality of capillaries arranged at a same spacing interval as that of sites on a biochip;    means for adjusting a gap formed between said capillary holder means and said substrate by moving either said capillary holder means or said substrate, or both; and    means for transferring biomolecules from said capillaries to said substrate.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said means for transferring comprises: voltage source means for applying voltage across said capillary holder means and said substrate, so that biomolecules contained in said capillaries are deposited onto said substrate.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said means for transferring comprises: means for pressurizing said capillaries so that biomolecules contained in said capillaries are deposited onto said substrate.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for amplifying DNA in said capillaries by means of polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising means for amplifying DNA in said capillaries by means of polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising means for amplifying DNA in said capillaries by means for polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said means for amplifying comprises means for providing said polymerase chain reaction by temperature processing.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said means for amplifying comprises means for providing said polymerase chain reaction by temperature processing.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said means for amplifying comprises means for providing said polymerase chain reaction by temperature processing.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , comprising means for positioning said substrate above or below said capillaries.