Analytical biochemistry system with robotically carried bioarray

Abstract

An analytical biochemistry system featuring a substrate with reactants immobilized thereon at fixed, known locations, a holder supporting the substrate and a manipulator for transporting the holder to a fixed sample and to an inspection station. The reactants are binding agents for a target biomolecule in a sample which forms a bound substance having a detectable characteristic. The holder may be a standard pipettor, optionally carried by a robot arm or hand as the manipulator to contact the sample for detection of the presence of target biomolecules within the sample. In one embodiment, the holder is a pipette tip within which the substrate is housed, or it may be a pipette adapter which bears the substrate and fits within the sample wells of a standard microtiter plate. After appropriate incubation, the substrate and holder may be moved from contact with the sample, and the substrate may be exposed to any necessary development steps before being moved by the manipulator to a location for probing, such as by a beam. Probing of the substrate is performed to identify binding or complexing of target biomolecules of the sample with the reactants immobilized on the substrate, and may be accomplished via fluorescence detection, light scattering, autoradiography, or some other detection method.

1 - 99 . (canceled)  
     
     
         100 . A method of aligning an array hybridization apparatus comprising: (a) providing a first substrate, second substrate and at least  2  standoffs; and (b) contacting the first substrate to the standoff to align the array hybridization apparatus.  
     
     
         101 . A method of making an array hybridization apparatus with a standoff for alignment, comprising: (a) providing a first substrate opposite a second substrate; (b) interposing a standoff between a first substrate and a second substrate; (c) contacting the first substrate and second substrate to the standoff.  
     
     
         102 . A method of making an array hybridization apparatus for aligning a gasket, comprising: (a) providing a first substrate; (b) attaching at least two standoffs to the first substrate; (c) using the standoff to align at least one gasket on the first substrate using the standoff and the gasket.