Systems and Methods for Biological Analysis

Abstract

A system for performing biological reactions is provided. The system includes a chip including a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites. The plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter. Further, the system includes a control system configured to initiate biological reactions within the liquid samples. The system further includes a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip. According to various embodiments, the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. In other embodiments, the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites.

1 . A system for performing biological reactions, the system comprising:
 a chip including a plurality of reaction sites, wherein the plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter, wherein the chip is coated with a coating material, and wherein the coating material is configured to have a water contact angle and advancing contact angle to facilitate loading the liquid sample into the plurality of reaction sites;   a loading system to load the liquid sample into the plurality of reaction sites;   a control system configured to initiate biological reactions in the liquid samples; and   a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each reaction site of the plurality of reaction sites is a through-hole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each reaction site of the plurality of reaction sites is a well. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to calculate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to calculate a digital PCR result. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection system includes an optical system, wherein the optical system includes an excitation source and an optical sensor configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from a plurality of liquid samples within the plurality of reaction sites. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the reaction sites are hydrophilic. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein a surface of the substrate is hydrophilic. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chip is enclosed in a carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reaction sites include a range of volumes to increase dynamic range. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical system has a focal length of 15 mm. 
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water contact angle is 60-100 degrees and the advancing contact angle is 70-85 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biological reactions is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the loading system comprises a loader comprising a tip including a first blade and a second blade, wherein a reservoir is formed between the first blade and the second blade, wherein the tip is in fluid communication with the reservoir.