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) subsequent to step (ii), 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) subsequent to step (iii), recording the positions of particles within said additional confined group; and   (v) repeating steps (iii) to (iv) at least once so as to form a plurality of a random encoded arrays of particles.   
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 51  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         53 . The process 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) subsequent to step (b), 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) at least once so as to form a composite array.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56  wherein differently encoded particles have different biological reagents bound thereto. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the arrangement of the encoded particles in the sites is random. 
     
     
         60 . The method 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) subsequent to step (b), 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 method of  claim 61  wherein the substrate comprises silicon or doped silicon. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein differently encoded particles have different biological reagents bound thereto. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the arrangement of the encoded particles in the sites is random. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61  further comprising the step of affixing the particles onto the substrate.