Methods and Compositions for Phototransfer

Abstract

Methods are described for phototransferring a compound from a first surface to a second surface. Compounds are described with photocleavable linkers. Compounds attached to a first surface through a photocleavable linker are put in proximity (or contact) with a second surface, and then phototransferred to the second surface upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Illuminating the compound with radiation photocleaves the compound from the first surface and transfers the compound to the second surface.

1 . A method for transferring coding agents from a first surface to a second surface, comprising:
 a) providing: i) a plurality of binding agents conjugated to a plurality of coding agents through a photocleavable linker, and ii) a source of electromagnetic radiation;   b) contacting said binding agents with a first surface, said first surface comprising binding partners to said binding agents, under conditions such that at least a portion of said binding agents bind said binding partners;   c) illuminating said binding agents with radiation from said radiation source under conditions such that at least a portion of said coding agents are photocleaved from said binding agents; and   d) capturing at least a portion of said coding agents on a second surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface comprises a cell or tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said coding agents are selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid, protein, nanoparticles, quantum dots, mass coding agents, and fluorescent molecules. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said coding agent comprises nucleic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said binding agents are antibodies. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after completion of step d), said second surface is imaged. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said imaging is at single molecule resolution. 
     
     
         8 . A method for transferring coding agents from a first surface to a second surface, comprising:
 a) providing i) a plurality of coding agents each attached to a first surface through a photocleavable linker, and ii) a source of electromagnetic radiation;   b) illuminating said photocleavable linkers with radiation from said radiation source under conditions such that said photocleavable linker is photocleaved; and   c) capturing at least a portion of said coding agents on a second surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first surface comprises a cell or tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said coding agents are selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid, protein, nanoparticles, quantum dots, mass coding agents, and fluorescent molecules. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said coding agent comprises nucleic acid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said photocleavable coding agents are attached to said first surface through antibodies. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein after completion of step c), said second surface is imaged. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said imaging is at single molecule resolution.