Nucleic acid affinity columns
Granted: August 27, 2002
Patent Number:
6440677
Nucleic acid affinity matrices that bear a large number of different nucleic acid affinity ligands allowing the simultaneous selection and removal of a large number of preselected nucleic acids from the sample. Methods of producing such affinity matrices are also provided. In general the methods involve the steps of a) providing a nucleic acid amplification template array comprising a surface to which are attached at least 50 oligonucleotides having different nucleic acid sequences, and…
Method for detecting chemical interactions between naturally occurring biological analyte molecules that are non-identical binding partners
Granted: August 20, 2002
Patent Number:
6436647
A method of using micromechanical devices as sensors for detecting chemical interactions between naturally occurring bio-polymers which are non-identical binding partners is provided. The method is useful whether the reactions occur through electrostatic forces or other forces. Induced stress, heat, or change in mass is detected where a binding partner is placed on a cantilever for possible reaction with an analyte molecules (i.e., a non-identical binding partner). The method is…
Cleaning deposit devices that form microarrays and the like
Granted: August 6, 2002
Patent Number:
6428752
For depositing fluid dots in an array, e.g., for microscopic analysis, a deposit device, e.g. a pin, cooperating with a fluid source defines a precisely sized drop of fluid of small diameter on a drop carrying surface. Transport mechanism positions the device precisely over the receiving surface and drive mechanism moves the deposit device toward and away from the surface. By repeated action, minute drops of fluid can be deposited precisely in a dense array, preferably under computer…
Functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use
Granted: August 6, 2002
Patent Number:
6429275
Provided are functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use. The functionalized silicon compounds include at least one activated silicon group and at least one derivatizable functional group. Exemplary derivatizable functional groups include hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl and thiol, as well as modified forms thereof, such as activated or protected forms. The functionalized silicon compounds may be covalently attached to surfaces to form functionalized surfaces which…
Cartridge washing system and methods
Granted: July 23, 2002
Patent Number:
6422249
A washing system comprises a support for holding several cartridges. Each cartridge has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Wash blocks are movably coupled to the support, each having two needles for penetrating the inlet and the outlet of a respective cartridge when the wash blocks are moved towards the support. Tubing is coupled to the needles for flowing liquid through the chamber of the cartridge.
Computer-aided display for comparative gene expression
Granted: July 16, 2002
Patent Number:
6420108
Innovative systems and methods for visualizing information collected from analyzing samples are provided. The samples may include nucleic acids, proteins, or other polymers. Gene expression level as determined from analysis of a nucleic acid sample is one possible analysis result that may be visualized. In one embodiment, a computer system may display the expression levels of multiple genes simultaneously in a way that facilitates user identification of genes whose expression is…
Apparatus for forming polynucleotides or polypeptides
Granted: July 16, 2002
Patent Number:
6420169
A method for synthesizing oligonucleotides on a solid substrate. The method provides for the irradiation of a first predefined region of the substrate without irradiation of a second predefined region of the substrate. The irradiation step removes a protecting group therefrom. The substrate is contacted with a first nucleotide to couple the nucleotide to the substrate in the first predefined region. By repeating these steps, an array of diverse oligonucleotides is formed on the…
Photolithographic and other means for manufacturing arrays
Granted: July 9, 2002
Patent Number:
6416952
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for sequencing, fingerprinting and mapping biological macromolecules, typically biological polymers. The methods make use of a plurality of sequence specific recognition reagents which can also be used for classification of biological samples, and to characterize their sources.
Expression monitoring by hybridization to high density nucleic acid arrays
Granted: June 25, 2002
Patent Number:
6410229
This invention provides methods of monitoring the expression levels of a multiplicity of genes. The methods involve hybridizing a nucleic acid sample to a high density array of oligonucleotide probes where the high density array contains oligonucleotide probes complementary to subsequences of target nucleic acids in the nucleic acid sample. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a pool of target nucleic acids comprising RNA transcripts of one or more target genes, or nucleic…
Functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use
Granted: June 25, 2002
Patent Number:
6410675
Provided are functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use. The functionalized silicon compounds include at least one activated silicon group and at least one derivatizable functional group. Exemplary derivatizable functional groups include hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl and thiol, as well as modified forms thereof, such as activated or protected forms. The functionalized silicon compounds may be covalently attached to surfaces to form functionalized surfaces which…
Very large scale immobilized polymer synthesis
Granted: June 18, 2002
Patent Number:
6406844
A method and apparatus for preparation of a substrate containing a plurality of sequences. Photoremovable groups are attached to a surface of a substrate. Selected regions of the substrate are exposed to light so as to activate the selected areas. A monomer, also containing a photoremovable group, is provided to the substrate to bind at the selected areas. The process is repeated using a variety of monomers such as amino acids until sequences of a desired length are obtained. Detection…
Electronic detection of hybridization on nucleic acid arrays
Granted: June 11, 2002
Patent Number:
6403317
A method of detecting locations on a nucleic acid probe array at which hybridization occurs between targets in a fluid sample and nucleic acid probes disposed on a surface of the nucleic acid probe array, comprising: measuring the temperature at a plurality of locations on the surface of the nucleic acid probe array; applying an oscillating level of energy to the surface of the nucleic acid probe array, thereby causing the temperature at the surface of the nucleic acid probe array to…
Support bound probes and methods of analysis using the same
Granted: June 11, 2002
Patent Number:
6403320
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for sequencing, fingerprinting and mapping biological macromolecules, typically biological polymers. The methods make use of a plurality of sequence specific recognition reagents which can also be used for classification of biological samples, and to characterize their sources.
Nucleic acid reading and analysis system
Granted: June 11, 2002
Patent Number:
6403957
A method and apparatus for preparation of a substrate containing a plurality of sequences. Photoremovable groups are attached to a surface of a substrate. Selected regions of the substrate are exposed to light so as to activate the selected areas. A monomer, also containing a photoremovable group; is provided to the substrate to bind at the selected areas. The process is repeated using a variety of monomers such as amino acids until sequences of a desired length are obtained. Detection…
Bioarray chip reaction apparatus and its manufacture
Granted: June 4, 2002
Patent Number:
6399365
A package for hybridization includes a substrate and a housing. The substrate has a first surface that includes an array of probes having biological polymers immobilized thereon. The housing includes a fluid cavity constructed and arranged for hybridization of a target to a probe of the probe array located inside the fluid cavity. The housing also includes a bar code.
Electrochemical denaturation of double-stranded nucleic acid
Granted: May 28, 2002
Patent Number:
6395489
A process is described for denaturing native double-stranded nucleic acid material into its individual strands in an electrochemical cell. The process disclosed is an electrical treatment of the nucleic acid with a voltage applied to the nucleic acid material by an electrode. The process may also employ a promoter compound such as methyl viologen to speed denaturation. The process may be used in the detection of nucleic acid by hybridizing with a labelled probe or in the amplification of…
Method of information storage and recovery
Granted: May 28, 2002
Patent Number:
6395491
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for sequencing, fingerprinting and mapping biological macromolecules, typically biological polymers. The methods make use of a plurality of sequence specific recognition reagents which can also be used for classification of biological samples, and to characterize their sources.
Identification of molecular sequence signatures and methods involving the same
Granted: May 21, 2002
Patent Number:
6391550
Novel means and methods for analyzing hybridization data derived from hybridization assays between a target nucleic acid and differently sequenced polynucleotide probes involve selecting probe sets that define reference sequences for sequence signatures and deriving useful data about the nature of the target nucleic acid molecule based on its hybridization to the probes. The methods are useful for determining whether the target contains a nucleic acid or polypeptide sequence signature,…
Blocker-aided target amplification of nucleic acids
Granted: May 21, 2002
Patent Number:
6391592
The present invention describes a method for blocking an unwanted sequence from been amplified, duplicated or reverse transcribed by using a blocking molecule. Preferred embodiments of the blocking molecule have sequences complimentary at least partially to the unwanted sequence. The preferred blocking molecule can be made of nucleic acids and analogues, for example, peptide nucleic acid and locked nucleic acid.
Fluidics station injection needles with distal end and side ports and method of using
Granted: May 21, 2002
Patent Number:
6391623
The present invention generally provides novel apparatuses for rapidly and efficiently carrying out repeated hybridizations of a target nucleic acid to an array of nucleic acid probes. The apparatus generally includes a fluid delivery system, a fluid mixing system, a temperature control system and a process control system integrated into a single device.
