Microcolumn-platform based array for high-throughput analysis

Abstract

A device and methods for performing biological or chemical analysis is provided. The device includes an array of three-dimensional microcolumns projecting away from a support plate. Each microcolumn has a relatively planar, first surface remote from the support plate. An array of multiple, different biological materials may be attached to the first surface. The device, when used in combination with existent micro-titer well plates, can improve efficiency of binding assays using microarrays for high-throughput capacity.

1 - 111 . (canceled) 
   
   
       112 . An apparatus for performing biological or chemical analysis comprising:
 an array of glass fiber micropins structured and arranged to engage with an array of wells of a multi-well plate,   wherein each micropin has a distal end, and   wherein the distal ends of the micropins are structured and arranged to attach a biological material.   
   
   
       113 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the array of micropins is an array of arrays. 
   
   
       114 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the array of micropins projects away from an end of a microcolumn. 
   
   
       115 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein a plurality of arrays of micropins project away from the end of the microcolumn. 
   
   
       116 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the multi-well plate is a 3-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 24-, 32-, 48-, 96-, 192-, 384-, 480-, 576-, or 1536-well plate. 
   
   
       117 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the array of micropins is arranged in a 3-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 24-, 32-, or 48-array strip. 
   
   
       118 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the array of micropins is structured and arranged to engage a single micropin per well in the multi-well plate. 
   
   
       119 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , the array of micropins is structured and arranged to engage multiple micropins per well in the multi-well plate. 
   
   
       120 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the array of micropins is structured and arranged to introduce the biological material into the wells of the multi-well plate. 
   
   
       121 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the biological material is selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, chemical molecules, peptides, proteins, lipids, membranes, viral particles, and cellular matter. 
   
   
       122 . The apparatus according to  claim 112 , wherein the biological or chemical analysis is selected from the group consisting of hybridization of nucleic acids, assays of chemical molecules, peptides, proteins, lipids, membranes, viral particles, cell transfection, and reverse cell transfection. 
   
   
       123 . An apparatus for performing an assay comprising:
 at least one microcolumn, each of the at least one microcolumns having a distal end; and   at least one micropin projecting away from the distal end of the at least one microcolumn, each of the at least one micropins having a distal end,   wherein the distal end of the at least one micropin is structured and arranged to attach a biological material and wherein the micropin is a glass fiber.   
   
   
       124 . The apparatus according to  claim 123 , wherein the assay is selected from the group consisting of hybridization of nucleic acids, assays of chemical molecules, peptides, proteins, lipids, membranes, viral particles, cell transfection, and reverse cell transfection. 
   
   
       125 . The apparatus according to  claim 123 , wherein the micropin comprises a hydrophilic wetting surface, a non-wetting surface, or a roughened surface that entraps fluids with multiple fluid contact angles. 
   
   
       126 . The apparatus according to  claim 123 , wherein the distal end of at least one micropin is planar, rounded, hemispherical, or conical with a point. 
   
   
       127 . The apparatus according to  claim 123 , wherein the at least one microcolumn is in an array structured and arranged to engage with a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells. 
   
   
       128 . The apparatus according to  claim 127 , wherein the multi-well plate is a 3-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, 192-, 384-, 480-, 576-, or 1536-well plate. 
   
   
       129 . The apparatus according to  claim 127 , wherein the micropin holds the biological material above a bottom wall of the well. 
   
   
       130 . A method for performing biological or chemical analysis, the method comprising:
 providing an array of glass fiber micropins each having a distal end having at least one biological material attached thereto;   engaging the array with a multi-well plate; and   introducing an assay reagent into at least one well of a multi-well plate.   
   
   
       131 . The method according to  claim 130 , wherein the distal ends of the micropins are spaced above the bottom of the wells of the multi-well plate after engaging the array. 
   
   
       132 . The method according to  claim 130 , wherein the micropins attract a biological analyte to their distal end. 
   
   
       133 . The method according to  claim 132 , wherein at least one micropin comprises a first hydrophilic wetting surface and a second hydrophobic non-wetting surface to attract the biological analyte to its distal end. 
   
   
       134 . The method according to  claim 130 , wherein the method further comprises performing physical agitation. 
   
   
       135 . The method according to  claim 130 , wherein the method further comprises withdrawing the array from the multi-well plate. 
   
   
       136 . The method according to  claim 136 , wherein the method further comprises imaging the distal ends of the micropins. 
   
   
       137 . The method according to  claim 130 , wherein the method further comprises performing a kinetic measurement. 
   
   
       138 . The method according to  claim 137 , wherein the equilibrium dissociation constant is calculated.