Probe carrier, probe fixing carrier and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A carrier having indexes in a probe non-fixing region is used and solutions containing probes are applied to respective specific positions on the carrier by referring to said indexes and fixed. The position of a target compound that is specifically bonded to a probe fixed to a probe carrier manufactured by a method according to the invention can be accurately and quickly detected by referring to the indexes.

1 . A method of manufacturing a probe carrier carrying probes of a plurality of species fixed at respective specific different positions on the carrier and adapted to be specifically bonded to a target substance, said method comprising: 
 a step of forming one or more than one labeled indexes on said carrier at a position out of said specific positions, wherein each labeled index has a label that produces radiation under predetermined conditions; and    a step of applying solutions respectively containing said probes to said respective specific positions by referring to said indexes.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said carrier has a division wall for partitioning said specific positions, and wherein said indexes are located at predetermined positions of said division wall.    
     
     
         3 . A method of manufacturing a probe carrier carrying probes of a plurality of species fixed at respective specific positions on the carrier and adapted to be specifically bonded to a target substance, said method comprising: 
 a step of forming a division wall for partitioning said specific positions on said carrier;    a plasma irradiation step of irradiating said carrier with plasma in a gas atmosphere containing at least fluorine atoms; and    a step of removing any ingredients of said gas adhering to said specific positions.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said removing step is a washing step of washing and removing any ingredients of said gas with water by bringing water into contact with the surface of the carrier subjected to said plasma treatment.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said division wall is formed by a photolithography method.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 said photolithography method includes:    a step of forming said division wall by forming a photosensitive resin layer on the surface of said carrier, exposing said photosensitive resin layer to light to form a pattern corresponding to said division wall, and developing said photosensitive resin layer; and    a step of further baking said division wall prior to said plasma irradiation step.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein, 
 after bringing said carrier into contact with water in said washing step, said carrier is dried at a temperature not exceeding 100° C.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said step of applying solutions containing said probes to said respective specific positions is a step of applying said solutions by causing them to fly in the air.    
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a probe fixing carrier for carrying probes of a plurality of species fixed at respective specific positions on the carrier and adapted to be specifically bonded to a target substance, said method comprising: 
 a step of forming a division wall for partitioning regions on said carrier;    a plasma irradiation step of irradiating said carrier with plasma in a gas atmosphere containing at least fluorine atoms; and    a washing step of washing and removing any ingredients of said gas with water by bringing water into contact with the surface of the carrier subjected to said plasma treatment.    
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a probe carrier, said method comprising: 
 applying solutions containing probes to respective specific positions on a probe carrier manufactured by a method according to  claim 9  and fixing said probes.    
     
     
         11 . A probe carrier carrying probes of a plurality of species fixed at respective specific different positions on the carrier at probe fixing regions and adapted to be specifically bonded to a target substance, said probe carrier comprising: 
 one or more than one indexes formed on said carrier at positions out of said specific positions;    wherein said carrier has a division wall for partitioning said specific positions, and wherein said indexes are located at predetermined positions of said division wall;    wherein said division wall has water repellency and the contact angle of said division wall relative to pure water is not less than 120°; and    wherein said probe fixing regions are hydrophilic and the contact angle of said probe fixing regions relative to pure water is not more than 30°.    
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A probe carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said indexes are recesses formed in said division wall.    
     
     
         14 . A probe carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said division wall has a light-shielding effect.    
     
     
         15 . A probe carrier according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said division wall is made of a resin composition containing carbon black.    
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A probe fixing carrier for carrying probes of a plurality of species fixed at respective specific different positions on the carrier at probe fixing regions and adapted to be specifically bonded to a target substance, said probe fixing carrier comprising: 
 one or more than one indexes formed on said carrier at positions out of said specific positions;    wherein said carrier has a division wall for partitioning said specific positions, and wherein said indexes are located at predetermined positions of said division wall;    wherein said division wall has water repellency and the contact anile of said division wall relative to pure water is not less than 120°; and    wherein said probe fixing regions are hydrophilic and the contact angle of said probe fixing regions relative to pure water is not more than 30°.    
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A probe fixing carrier according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 said indexes are recesses formed in said division wall.    
     
     
         21 . A probe fixing carrier according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 said division wall has a light-shielding effect.    
     
     
         22 . A probe fixing carrier according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 said division wall is made of a resin composition containing carbon black.    
     
     
         23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A method of locating a position of a probe specifically bonded to a target substance out of a number of probes of a plurality of species by causing said probes of a plurality of species carried on the carrier to contact the target substance, said method comprising: 
 a step of locating the position of the probe specifically bonded to the target substance by referring to indexes formed at positions out of the specific positions carrying said probes of a plurality of species;    wherein said indexes and said target substance have a label that produces radiation under predetermined conditions.    
     
     
         26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein 
 said label is a fluorescent substance.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein 
 said carrier is a light-transmitting plate-shaped body and the predetermined positions for fixing said probes are partitioned by a light-shielding division wall arranged on one of the surfaces of said carrier, information on the position of said target substance being obtained by detecting fluorescent light emitted from said label and passing through said carrier at the opposite surface of said carrier.