Thermo-Controllable High-Density Chips for Multiplex Analyses

Abstract

The present invention provides miniaturized instruments for conducting chemical reactions where control of the reaction temperature is desired or required. Specifically, this invention provides chips and optical systems for performing and monitoring temperature-dependent chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughput and low-cost amplification of nucleic acids.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a) an array of 1000 or more fluidically isolated microwells;   b) a dispenser configured to dispense a plurality of samples into the fluidically isolated micro wells of the array; and   c) a detector configured to detect a chemical reaction in one or more of the fluidically isolated micro wells.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the system comprises a chamber configured so that the plurality of samples is dispensed in ambient air that is saturated with moisture with respect to a planar surface of the array. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the chamber comprises a humidified chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the array comprises a chip. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the chip is free of micro-capillaries or other channels. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the chip comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: a metalloid, a semi-conductor, silicon, silicate, gallium phosphide, glass, ceramic, metal and metal alloys, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the system comprises a heating element that is in contact with the chip. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein detector comprises an optical detection assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the optical detection assembly comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: an optical excitation element, an optical transmission element, and a photon-sensing element, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 a) a dispenser configured to dispense a plurality of samples into an array of fluidically isolated micro wells; and   b) a detector configured to detect a chemical reaction in one or more of the fluidically isolated micro wells.   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the system comprises a chamber configured so that the plurality of samples is dispensed in ambient air that is saturated with moisture with respect to a planar surface of the array. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the chamber comprises a humidified chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the system comprises a heating element that is configured to heat the array. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein detector comprises an optical detection assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 35 , wherein the optical detection assembly comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: an optical excitation element, an optical transmission element, and a photon-sensing element, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . A system comprising:
 a) a humidified chamber;   b) a dispenser configured to dispense a plurality of samples into an array of fluidically isolated micro wells present in the humidified chamber; and   c) a detector configured to detect a chemical reaction in one or more of the fluidically isolated micro wells.   
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 37 , wherein the system comprises a heating element that is configured to heat the array. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 37 , wherein detector comprises an optical detection assembly. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein the optical detection assembly comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: an optical excitation element, an optical transmission element, and a photon-sensing element, or any combination thereof.