Microcolumn-based, high-throughput microfluidic device

Abstract

A biological assay device for use in molecular biology, pharmaceutical research, genomic analysis, combinatorial chemistry, and in the general field of the analysis of molecules that may be deposited on supports of various kinds is provided. Specifically, the present invention includes a fluidic or microfluidic device, which integrates fluidic capability into existing multi-well plates of standard configuration, for performing either single or continuous fluidic manipulations in a high-throughout format. Methods for the use and manufacture of these devices are also provided.

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         27 . A multiplexed microfluidic device comprising: a plurality of three-dimensional fluidic modules; a common plate from which each module extends; wherein each of said modules has a surface remote from said common plate, and a set of at least a first fluidic channel and a second fluidic channel formed therein. 
     
     
         28 . An upper plate of a microfluidic device, said plate comprising: a structure with at least one fluidic module, said fluidic module comprises a three-dimensional body with a set of at least one fluidic channel extending from a first surface of said plate through the body to a surface remote from the plate structure. 
     
     
         29 . The upper plate according to  claim 27 , wherein said fluidic module further comprises a second fluidic channel, which extends at least partially through the plate structure and body of the fluidic module from the remote major surface to an outlet portal. 
     
     
         30 . The upper plate according to  claim 27 , wherein an array of biological or chemical analytes is disposed on said remote major surface. 
     
     
         31 . The upper plate according to  claim 27 , wherein at least a part of said remote surface of said fluidic module is configured with a porous substrate. 
     
     
         32 . The upper plate according to  claim 27 , wherein each fluidic module is sized to be introduced into a corresponding well of a lower plate. 
     
     
         33 . The upper plate according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate further includes an electrochemical sensor. 
     
     
         34 . A method for performing high-throughput biological or chemical assays in a microfluidic system, the method including:
 providing an array of three-dimensional fluidic modules, each comprising a body with a set of at least one fluidic channel formed therein, of which at least a first channel has an inlet port located in a surface of a support structure and extending through said support structure and fluidic module to a surface thereof remote to said support structure;   providing analytes on either said remote surface or a bottom of a well in a plate, or both;   creating a reaction zone between each fluidic module and a corresponding well in said plate; and   introducing an assay solution through said first fluidic channel.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising:
 providing a second fluidic channel, which extends at least partially through said support structure or fluidic module from said remote surface thereof to an outlet portal; and   exiting said assay solution through said second fluidic channel after interaction with said analytes.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein assay solution is pumped continuously through said fluidic channels and said reaction zone. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said assay solution is pumped back and forth through said fluidic channels. 
     
     
         38 . A kit for high-throughput biological or chemical assays in a microfluidic system, the kit includes: a fluidic device and a well plate, wherein said fluidic device has a three-dimensional fluidic module with at least one fluidic channel formed therein terminating at a remote surface, said three-dimensional body is capable of being inserted a well, and each well in said plate has a bottom wall. 
     
     
         39 . The kit according to  claim 38 , further comprising biological or chemical analytes on said remote surface, a bottom of a well in a plate, or both. 
     
     
         40 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein the bottom wall of the plate has a depression at the center of the bottom. 
     
     
         41 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein said fluidic device further comprises a second fluidic channel in said fluidic module. 
     
     
         42 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein said fluidic device or well plate further includes an electrochemical sensor. 
     
     
         43 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein gratings are formed on said remote surface. 
     
     
         44 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein a grating is disposed on the bottom wall of the plate. 
     
     
         45 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein a grating is disposed on both said remote surface and the bottom wall of the plate. 
     
     
         46 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein a number of said fluidic modules is arranged in a 24-, 48-, 96-, 384-, or 576-unit format. 
     
     
         47 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein a number of said fluidic modules is arrayed in an 8- or 12- unit strip. 
     
     
         48 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein a gap distance between said remote surface and said bottom wall ranges from ˜1 microns to ˜5 mm. 
     
     
         49 . The kit according to  claim 48 , wherein said gap distance ranges from ˜1-500 microns. 
     
     
         50 . The kit according to  claim 49 , wherein said gap distance ranges from ˜5-150 microns. 
     
     
         51 . A high-throughput fluidic device comprising: a well plate having a number of wells, each well having a sidewall and a bottom surface; a plurality of three-dimensional fluidic modules; a common structure from which each module extends; wherein each of said modules has a surface remote from said common structure, and a set of at least a first fluidic channel formed therein. 
     
     
         52 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein said device further comprises a second fluidic channel in said fluidic module. 
     
     
         53 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein said fluidic device or well plate further includes an electrochemical sensor. 
     
     
         54 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein gratings are formed on said remote surface. 
     
     
         55 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein a grating is disposed on the bottom wall of the plate. 
     
     
         56 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein a grating is disposed on both said remote surface and the bottom wall of the plate. 
     
     
         57 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein biological or chemical analytes are located on said remote surface, a bottom of a well in a plate, or both. 
     
     
         58 . The device according to  claim 57 , wherein said analytes include DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, proteins, peptides, cells, cellular components, small chemical molecules, and drugs. 
     
     
         59 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein a number of said fluidic modules is arranged in a 24-, 48-, 96-, 384-, or 576-unit format. 
     
     
         60 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein a number of said fluidic modules is arrayed in an 8- or 12- unit strip. 
     
     
         61 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein said fluidic modules have a size that can be inserted into each well. 
     
     
         62 . The device according to  claim 51 , wherein either said remote surface or said bottom surface of said well plate has a spacer element to provide a gap between said remote surface and said bottom surface. 
     
     
         63 . The device according to  claim 62 , wherein said gap distance between said remote surface and said bottom surface ranges from ˜1 microns to ˜5 mm. 
     
     
         64 . The device according to  claim 63 , wherein said gap distance ranges from ˜1-500 microns. 
     
     
         65 . The device according to  claim 64 , wherein said gap distance ranges from ˜5-150 microns.