Multiplexed Microarray Assembly and Method for Fabricating a Multiplexed Microarray

Abstract

Multiplexed microarrays, multiplexed microarray cassettes, and methods for fabricating multiplexed microarrays are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multiplexed microarrays include a substrate, a chamber layer, and at least one channel layer. The topmost channel layer forms a port layer and may be compressible. The multiplexed microarrays may also include a compressible or non-compressible cover or sealing film. The multiplexed microarray cassette includes a base and may also include a cover. The base of the multiplexed microarray cassette includes a plurality of tracks to receive corresponding multiplexed microarrays.

1 . A multiplexed microarray comprising:
 a substrate having a plurality of microarrays formed on an upper surface of the substrate;   a chamber layer attached to the upper surface of the substrate, the chamber layer having a plurality of first apertures defined therethrough; and   a channel layer attached to an upper surface of the chamber layer and having a plurality of second apertures defined therethrough, each of the plurality of second apertures being congruent with and superimposed over a corresponding first aperture of the chamber layer,   wherein each first aperture, second aperture, and the upper surface of the substrate cooperate to define a plurality of corresponding laterally elongated wells, each elongated well having a first lateral end at which a corresponding microarray of the plurality of microarrays is located and a second lateral end defining a fill port to receive an analyte such that the fill port is laterally offset from the corresponding microarray, the second lateral end being fluidically coupled to the first lateral end to allow the analyte to contact the microarray.   
     
     
         2 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein each microarray of the plurality of microarrays is spaced apart from an adjacent microarray a distance less than 9 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 2 , wherein each fill port is spaced apart from an adjacent fill port a distance of about 9 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a substrate having twenty-four microarrays formed on the upper surface of the substrate, each microarray being spaced apart from an adjacent microarray a distance less than 9 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a substrate having at least eight microarrays formed on the upper surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber layer is formed from one of a hydrophobic plastic material and an elastomer material. 
     
     
         7 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the channel layer is a compressible channel layer. 
     
     
         8 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 7 , wherein the compressible channel layer is formed from a polymer material. 
     
     
         9 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 7 , further comprising a coverplate coupled to an upper surface of the compressible channel layer, the coverplate and compressible channel layer cooperating to pneumatically seal the plurality of elongated wells. 
     
     
         10 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , further comprising a coverplate coupled to an upper surface of the channel layer, the coverplate including a sealing gasket cooperating with the upper surface of the channel layer to pneumatically seal the plurality of elongated wells. 
     
     
         11 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing film coupled to an upper surface of the channel layer, the sealing film and the channel layer cooperating pneumatically seal the plurality of elongated wells. 
     
     
         12 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the plan view, cross-sectional area of each elongated well is substantially equal. 
     
     
         13 . The multiplexed microarray of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of laterally elongated wells comprises a plurality of first elongated wells located toward a first longitudinal side of the multiplexed microarray and a plurality of second elongated wells located toward a second longitudinal side of the multiplexed microarray, and
 further comprising a plurality of third elongated wells centrally located between the plurality of first elongated wells and second elongated wells, each of the third elongated wells having a corresponding microarray of the plurality of microarrays located therein.   
     
     
         14 . A method for fabricating a multiplexed microarray, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of microarrays on an upper surface of a substrate;   attaching a chamber layer to the upper surface of the substrate such that each microarray of the plurality of microarrays is located in a corresponding aperture of a plurality of apertures defined through the chamber layer; and   attaching a channel layer to an upper surface of the chamber layer such that each aperture of a plurality of second apertures defined through the channel layer is congruent with and superimposed over a corresponding first aperture of the physical barrier layer.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein attaching the channel layer comprises forming a plurality of elongated wells defined by the first aperture, second aperture, and the upper surface of the substrate, each elongated well having a first lateral end at which a corresponding microarray of the plurality of microarrays is located and a second lateral end defining a fill port to receive an analyte such that the fill port is laterally offset from the corresponding microarray, the second lateral end being fluidically coupled to the first lateral end to allow the analyte to contact the microarray. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising depositing an analyte into at least one of the fill ports. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the channel layer is a compressible channel layer and the method further includes coupling a coverplate to an upper surface of the compressible channel layer subsequent to depositing the analyte. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling a coverplate including a sealing gasket to an upper surface of the channel layer subsequent to depositing the analyte. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling a sealing film to an upper surface of the channel layer subsequent to depositing the analyte.