Methods, compositions and systems for sample deposition

Abstract

Methods, compositions, systems, apparatus, and kits are provided for depositing samples onto surfaces. The samples can include one or more particles, and the surface can include one or more reaction chambers. In some embodiments, the depositing can include the use of companion particles in combination with sample particles.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of analyzing a biomolecule, the method comprising:
 coupling the biomolecule to a particle in a sample solution;   applying at least a portion of the sample solution to a device including a flow cell defined between a cap and an array of wells, the array of wells providing access to a plurality of sensors;   centrifuging the device while the sample solution is present in the flow cell, the device centrifuged at an angle relative to a radial vector in a range of 0° to 90°; and   coupling the device to a measurement system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is not greater than 75°. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the angle is not greater than 65°. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is at least 15°. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the angle is at least 35°. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule is a nucleic acid 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particle includes a plurality of copies of the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particle comprises silica, glass, coated glass, coated polyacrylamide, acrylamide, nylon, plastic, ceramic, porous silicon, polystyrene or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors include ion sensitive field effect transistors. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating applying and centrifuging prior to coupling the device to the measurement system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein repeating includes withdrawing and reapplying the at least a portion of the sample solution to the device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein repeating includes applying another portion of the sample to the device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying includes pipetting an amount of the sample that is greater than the volume of a flow cell formed over the array and collecting a pass-through portion of the sample. 
     
     
         14 . A method of analyzing a nucleic acid, the method comprising:
 applying at least a portion of a sample solution to an array, the sample solution comprising a particle substrate coupled to a plurality of copies of the nucleic acid;   centrifuging the array while in the presence of the at least a portion of the sample, the array including a plurality of wells in cooperative association with a plurality of sensors, the array disposed at an angle relative to a radial vector in a range of 0° to 90° during centrifuging, the particle substrate depositing into a well of the plurality of wells; and   repeating applying and centrifuging.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying includes pipetting the at least a portion of the sample into a flow cell formed over the array. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein repeating includes withdrawing and reapplying the at least a portion of the sample to the array. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein repeating includes applying another portion of the sample to the array. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying includes pipetting an amount of the sample that is not greater than the volume of a flow cell formed over the array. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying includes pipetting an amount of the sample that is greater than the volume of a flow cell formed over the array and collecting a pass-through portion of the sample. 
     
     
         20 . A method of analyzing a biomolecule, the method comprising:
 contacting a substrate with a sample solution comprising a population of different particles coupled to a different biomolecules; and   centrifuging the substrate and the sample solution such that at least a subpopulation of the different particles randomly associates onto sites on the substrate.