The invention features methods of making devices, or platens, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

A sequencing capture array for identifying mutations in Multiple Myeloma is disclosed. Also disclosed are targeted next generation sequencing methods for identifying SNV, CNV, and translocation mutations in Multiple Myeloma tumor cells. A capture array representing fewer than 500 genes implicated in Multiple Myeloma can be used to analyze tumor mutations and create a personalized treatment plan for a Multiple Myeloma patient. Analytical methods are presented that allow tumor mutations to be elucidated with coverage at a sequencing depth of no more than 500, or as low as 100, with optimal efficiency achieved at a sequencing depth of about 300.

A novel miniaturized and highly automated method for the controlled printing of large arrays of nano- to femtoliter droplets is presented by actively transporting mother droplets over hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic micropatches. The proposed technology consists of single plate or double-plate devices where mother droplets can be actuated and hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic micropatches on one or both plates of the device where nano- to femtoliter droplets are printed. Due to the selective wettability of the more wettable hydrophilic micropatches in a hydrophobic matrix, large nano- to femtoliter droplet arrays are created when mother droplets are transported over these arrays. The parent droplets can be moved by different droplet actuation principles, for example, by using the principle of electrowetting-on-dielectric droplet actuation. We propose another method that uses two plates that are placed on top of each other while being separated by a spacer. One plate is dedicated to confirming and guiding of parent droplets by using hydrophilic patches in a hydrophobic matrix, while the other plate contains hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic arrays dedicated to the printing of nano- to femtoliter droplets. When the plate dedicated to parent droplet guiding is rotated over the plate dedicated to printing of nano- to femtoliter droplets, nano- to femtoliter droplets are dispensed inside the hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic array due to their selective wettability. All these proposed methods allow the parent droplets to be moved over the hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic arrays many times, providing unique advantages for performing bio-assays or miniaturized materials synthesis in nano- to femtoliter sized droplets. Upon the controlled evaporation of the dispensed droplets of solution, large arrays of the printed material can be generated on an automated way in seconds of time on a very flexible way. The method disclosed herein provides a distinct nano- to femtoliter droplet printing technique for a wide variety of applications such as protein- or cell-based bio-assays or printing of crystalline structures, suspensions of nanoparticles or components for microelectronics.

This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using tandard SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

A substrate for use in mass spectrometric analyzes having an array of target locations.

The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.

This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

The present disclosure relates to a method of depositing a fluid onto a substrate. In some embodiments, the method may be performed by mounting a substrate to a micro-fluidic probe card, so that the substrate abuts a cavity within the micro-fluidic probe card that is in communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A first fluidic chemical is selectively introduced into the cavity via the fluid inlet of the micro-fluidic probe card.

This invention provides methods and systems to prepare replicate arrays from master arrays of liquid solutions. Replicate arrays of liquid solutions can be reacted to form product solid inorganic material arrays for analysis and selection of optimum processes and products with desirable properties.