Apparatus for assay, synthesis and storage, and methods of manufacture, use, and manipulation thereof

Abstract

The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A device for filling through-holes in a platen, the device comprising:
 a platen comprising a two-dimensional array of through-holes, each of the through-holes configured to receive at least one reagent;   a nozzle having an aperture of a suitable size to inject a sample into a plurality of the array of through-holes; and   a valve configured to control a flow of a sample through the nozzle;   wherein the nozzle is configured to move in at least two dimensions to predetermined positions over respective ones of the plurality of through-holes.   
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 51 , wherein the nozzle is positioned so as to contact the platen. 
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 51 , further comprising a computer that controls the valve and controls the predetermined positions of the nozzle over the plurality of through-holes. 
     
     
         55 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A method of storing a plurality of samples in an assay-ready, high-density format, the method comprising:
 a) providing a platen having a plurality of through-holes;   b) loading the through-holes with said samples dissolved in a mixture comprising two solvents, a first solvent having a low vapor pressure and a second solvent having a higher vapor pressure; and   c) evaporating the second solvent to result in a plurality of samples in first solvent.   
     
     
         65 . The method of claim  140 , wherein the volume of the first solvent in each solution is less than about 25 nl. 
     
     
         66 - 127 . (canceled) 
     
     
         128 . The device of  claim 51 , wherein the nozzle is configured to load a first reagent into the plurality of through-holes and to subsequently load a second reagent into the plurality of through-holes. 
     
     
         129 . The device of  claim 51 , further comprising a holder configured to hold the platen. 
     
     
         130 . The device of  claim 51 , wherein the plurality of through-holes comprise all of the through-holes of the array of through-holes. 
     
     
         131 . A method of using a plurality of through-hole arrays, comprising:
 preparing a first through-hole array comprising a first plurality of through-holes, wherein at least some of the first plurality of through-holes contain a biological sample;   preparing a second through-hole array comprising a second plurality of through-holes, wherein at least some of the second plurality of through-holes contain a with media;   aligning the first and second arrays with one another such that at least some of through-holes of the first array are located above or below respective ones of the second plurality through-holes.