A method of modifying a microfabricated chip made of a hydrophobic material is provided. The microfabricated chip has a top surface including a plurality of microwells each having a bottom and a side wall, and interstitial space between the microwells. First, the ed chip is surface treated to render the surface of the bottom and side wall of the microwells and the interstitial space hydrophilic. Then, the surface of the interstitial space is treated to render it hydrophobic. A microfabricated chip having hydrophilic microwells and hydrophobic interstitial space is also provided.

This invention provides a technique enabling to detect target molecules of low concentration with high sensitivity. This invention includes (i) a step of introducing a hydrophilic solvent (42) containing beads (40),(41) into a space (30) between (a) a lower layer section (10) including a plurality of receptacles (13) each of which is capable of storing only one of the beads (41),(41) and which are separated from each other by a side wall (12) having a hydrophobic upper surface and (b) an upper layer section (20) facing a surface of the lower layer section (10) on which surface the plurality of receptacles (13) are provided; and (ii) a step of introducing a hydrophobic solvent (43) into the space (30), the step (ii) being carried out after the step (i).

The invention relates to a microarray structure that may include a substrate material layer, a continuous three-dimensional (3D) surface layer on the substrate material layer that is capable of functionalisation for use as an array, and an inert material. The structure may include accurately defined and functionalisable isolated areas which are millimeter to nanometer in size. The functionalisable areas may be part of the continuous 3D surface layer and may be isolated by the inert material but interconnected within the structure by the continuous 3D surface layer.

In one example, a flow cell includes a substrate, an electrode positioned on the substrate, and a patterned material positioned on the electrode. In this example, the patterned material includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the electrode is exposed at each of the depressions. In this example, the flow cell further includes a primer grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions. In another example, a flow cell includes a substrate and a patterned electrode positioned on the substrate. In this other example, the patterned electrode includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the substrate exposed at each of the depressions. In this other example, a primer is grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions.

Methods and devices are provided for preparing a protein array having a plurality of proteins. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of nucleic acids each having a predefined sequence and expressing in vitro a plurality of proteins from the plurality of nucleic acids. In another embodiment, protein arrays having a solid surface and a microvolume are also provided. The solid surface can have a plurality of anchor oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing with a plurality of nucleic acids. The microvolume can cover each of the plurality of anchor oligonucleotides and can be configured to produce a polypeptide from each of the plurality of nucleic acids.

A microfluidic synthesis platform includes a microfluidic chip holder that has a computer controlled heating element and cooling element therein. A microfluidic chip is mountable in the microfluidic chip holder. The microfluidic chip is formed by a hydrophobic substrate having patterned thereon a hydrophilic reaction site and a plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways extending outward from the hydrophilic reaction site and terminating at respective loading sites on the substrate, wherein the hydrophilic channels or pathways are tapered with an increasing width in an inward direction toward the hydrophilic reaction site. A fixture is provided for holding a plurality of non-contact reagent dispensing devices above the microfluidic chip at locations corresponding to the loading sites of the plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways, the fixture further holding a moveable collection tube disposed above the hydrophilic reaction site of the microfluidic chip for removing droplets containing reaction products.

A method of forming an integrated device includes forming a sample well within a cladding layer of a substrate; forming a sacrificial spacer layer over the substrate and into the sample well; performing a directional etch of the sacrificial spacer layer so as to form a sacrificial sidewall spacer on sidewalls of the sample well; forming, over the substrate and into the sample well, a functional layer that provides a location for attachment of a biomolecule; and removing the sacrificial spacer material.

Provided is an array including a solid support having a surface, the surface having a plurality of wells, the wells containing a gel material, the wells being separated from each other by interstitial regions on the surface, the interstitial regions segregating the gel material in each of the wells from the gel material in other wells of the plurality; and a library of target nucleic acids in the gel material, wherein the gel material in each of the wells comprises a single species of the target nucleic acids of the library. Methods for making and using the array are also provided.

Disclosed herein are formulations, substrates, and arrays. Also disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing and using the formulations, substrates, and arrays. Also disclosed are methods for identifying peptide sequences useful for diagnosis and treatment of disorders, and methods for using the peptide sequences for diagnosis and treatment of disorders, e.g., celiac disorder. In certain embodiments, substrates and arrays comprise a porous layer for synthesis and attachment of polymers or biomolecules.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for electrically active combinatorial-chemical (EACC) chips for biochemical analyte detection. An apparatus includes a substrate that has an array of regions defining multiple cells, wherein each of the cells includes a reaction cavity that contains multiple functional binding groups. A method of detecting an analyte providing the reaction cavity between a source and a drain or a pair of electrodes, applying a voltage and monitoring a parameter indicative of an analyte characteristic. A process of fabricating an EACC include bonding an analyte to the multiple functional binding groups of each reaction cavity, and forming an analyte sensing structure including the substrate.