Device for chemical and biochemical reactions using photo-generated reagents

Abstract

This invention provides method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces.

1 . A device for selectively converting photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents comprising: a) a substrate comprising at least one solid surface containing a plurality of spatially separated reaction sites; and b) an optical system operably linked to the substrate comprising a light source and a computer-controlled spatial optical modulator to form an irradiation pattern, wherein said optical system selectively irradiates a plurality of reaction sites. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spatial optical modulator is selected from the group consisting of a digital micromirror device, reflective liquid crystal display device, and transmissive liquid crystal display device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said digital micromirror device comprises a plurality of micromirrors. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said micromirrors are individual rocking mirrors. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one filter in-line with said light source, wherein said filter is configured to generate a desired wavelength. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reagent manifold having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, said manifold configured to direct at least one reagent solution to said reaction site. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reaction sites are isolated reaction-wells. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for controlling light intensity thereby controlling the generation of photogenerated reagents. 
     
     
         10 . A device for selectively converting photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents for effecting a chemical reaction comprising: a) a substrate comprising at least one solid surface containing a plurality of spatially separated reaction sites, wherein said reaction sites comprise one or more reagents and contain a solution of at least one photogenerated reagent precursor; and b) an optical system operably linked to the substrate comprising a light source and a computer-controlled spatial optical modulator to form an irradiation pattern, which optical system selectively irradiates a plurality of reaction sites thereby converting the photogenerated reagent precursors to photogenerated reagents thereby effecting a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said spatial optical modulator is selected from the group consisting of digital micromirror device, reflective liquid crystal display device, and transmissive liquid crystal display device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said digital micromirror device comprises a plurality of micromirrors. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said micromirrors are individual rocking mirrors. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one filter in-line with said light source, wherein said filter is configured to generate a desired wavelength. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said substrate is transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a reagent manifold having one or more inlets and one or more outlets, said manifold configured to direct at least one reagent solution to said reaction site. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said reaction sites are isolated reaction-wells. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a mechanism for controlling light intensity thereby controlling the generation of photogenerated reagents. 
     
     
         19 - 27 . (canceled)