Device for chemical and biochemical reactions using photo-generated reagents

Abstract

This invention provides method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device for selectively converting photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents comprising: 
 a) a substrate comprising at least one solid surface containing a plurality of spatially separated reaction sites; and    b) an optical system operably linked to the substrate comprising a light source and a computer-controlled spatial optical modulator to form an irradiation pattern, wherein said optical system selectively irradiates a plurality of reaction sites.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spatial optical modulator is selected from the group consisting of a digital micromirror device, reflective liquid crystal display device, and transmissive liquid crystal display device.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said digital micromirror device comprises a plurality of micromirrors.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said micromirrors are individual rocking mirrors.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one filter in-line with said light source, wherein said filter is configured to generate a desired wavelength.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is transparent.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reagent manifold having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, said manifold configured to direct at least one reagent solution to said reaction site.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reaction sites are isolated reaction-wells.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for controlling light intensity thereby controlling the generation of photogenerated reagents.  
     
     
         10 . A device for selectively converting photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents for effecting a chemical reaction comprising: 
 a) a substrate comprising at least one solid surface containing a plurality of spatially separated reaction sites, wherein said reaction sites comprise one or more reagents and contain a solution of at least one photogenerated reagent precursor; and    b) an optical system operably linked to the substrate comprising a light source and a computer-controlled spatial optical modulator to form an irradiation pattern, which optical system selectively irradiates a plurality of reaction sites thereby converting the photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents thereby effecting a chemical reaction.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said spatial optical modulator is selected from the group consisting of digital micromirror device, reflective liquid crystal display device, and transmissive liquid crystal display device.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said digital micromirror device comprises a plurality of micromirrors.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said micromirrors are individual rocking mirrors.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one filter in-line with said light source, wherein said filter is configured to generate a desired wavelength.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said substrate is transparent.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a reagent manifold having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, said manifold configured to direct at least one reagent solution to said reaction site.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said reaction sites are isolated reaction-wells.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a mechanism for controlling light intensity thereby controlling the generation of photogenerated reagents.  
     
     
         19 . A device for selectively converting photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents for effecting deprotection of one or more initiating moieties comprising: 
 a) a substrate comprising at least one solid surface containing a plurality of spatially separated reaction sites, wherein said reaction sites comprise one or more initiating moieties and contain a solution of at least one photogenerated reagent precursor; and    b) an optical system operably linked to the substrate comprising a light source and a computer-controlled spatial optical modulator to form an irradiation pattern, wherein said optical system selectively irradiates a plurality of reaction sites whereby said initiating moieties are deprotected by conversion of said photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents.    
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said spatial optical modulator is selected from the group consisting of digital micromirror device, reflective liquid crystal display device, and transmissive liquid crystal display device.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said digital micromirror device comprises a plurality of micromirrors.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said micromirrors are individual rocking mirrors.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one filter in-line with said light source, wherein said filter is configured to generate a desired wavelength.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said substrate is transparent.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a reagent manifold having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, said manifold configured to direct at least one reagent solution to said reaction site.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said reaction sites are isolated reaction-wells.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a mechanism for controlling light intensity thereby controlling the generation of photogenerated reagents.