Composite arrays utilizing microspheres with a hybridization chamber

Abstract

The invention relates to sensor compositions comprising a composite array of individual arrays, to allow for simultaneous processing of a number of samples. The invention further provides methods of making and using the composite arrays. The invention further provides a hybridization chamber for use with a composite array.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A process of forming a plurality of random arrays of encoded particles on a substrate, wherein each of the arrays are formed by random placement of encoded particles, wherein differently encoded particles have a different label, comprising:
 (i) placing and confining a group of differently encoded particles into one or more sites on a substrate having a plurality of sites, so as to form a first confined group of particles occupying particular sites;   (ii) recording the positions of the encoded particles within said confined group;   (iii) placing and confining an additional group of differently encoded particles into unoccupied sites on the substrate so as to form an additional group of confined particles occupying particular sites;   (iv) recording the positions of particles within said additional confined group; and   repeating steps (iii) to (iv) several times so as to form a plurality of a random encoded arrays of particles.   
     
     
         52 . The substrate of  claim 51  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         53 . The substrate of  claim 51  wherein differently encoded particles have different biological reagents bound thereto. 
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 51  wherein the arrangement of the encoded particles in the sites is random. 
     
     
         55 . The process of  claim 51  further comprising the step of affixing the particles onto the substrate. 
     
     
         56 . A method of forming a composite array of randomly distributed, identifiable microspheres on a substrate having a plurality of assay locations, comprising:
 (a) randomly distributing a population of microspheres, including subpopulations of microspheres carrying different chemical functionalities, to discrete sites within a first assay location;   (b) determining the location of said subpopulations of microspheres within said first assay location;   (c) randomly distributing a different population of microspheres, including subpopulations of microspheres carrying different chemical functionalities, to discrete sites within a second assay location;   (d) determining the location of said subpopulations of microspheres within said second assay location; and   (e) repeating steps (c) to (d) as many times as necessary so as to form a composite array.   
     
     
         57 . The substrate of  claim 56  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         58 . The substrate of  claim 56  wherein differently encoded particles have different biological reagents bound thereto. 
     
     
         59 . The process of  claim 56  wherein the arrangement of the encoded particles in the sites is random. 
     
     
         60 . The process of  claim 56  further comprising the step of affixing the particles onto the substrate. 
     
     
         61 . A method of forming a composite array of randomly distributed, identifiable microspheres on a substrate having a plurality of assay locations, comprising:
 (a) providing a library of microspheres comprising a plurality of sublibraries, wherein each sublibrary further comprises a plurality of subpopulations of uniquely identifiable microspheres;   (b) randomly distributing a first sublibrary, including subpopulations of uniquely identifiable microspheres, to discrete sites within a first assay location;   (c) determining the location of said subpopulations of microspheres within said first assay location;   (d) randomly distributing a second sublibrary of microspheres, including subpopulations of uniquely identifiable microspheres, to discrete sites within a second assay location;   (e) determining the location of said subpopulations of microspheres within said second assay location;   (f) repeating steps (d) to (e) with different sublibraries and assay locations multiple times so as to form a composite array.   
     
     
         62 . The substrate of  claim 61  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         63 . The substrate of  claim 61  wherein differently encoded particles have different biological reagents bound thereto. 
     
     
         64 . The process of  claim 61  wherein the arrangement of the encoded particles in the sites is random. 
     
     
         65 . The process of  claim 61  further comprising the step of affixing the particles onto the substrate.