Methods, tools, and tool assemblies for biomolecular analysis using microarrays

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods, tools, pillar plates, and tool assemblies for biomolecular analysis using microarrays that reduces the likelihood of air bubbles being trapped by the microarrays. Embodiments of the tools include two clamps that have a tool mount portion and a grasping portion. The tool mount portion is configured to engage a lifting mechanism of a plate handling robot for moving a pillar plate that include microarrays. The grasping portion is configured to freely suspend the pillar plate at an inclination of a non-zero tilt angle relative to a plane normal to the tool mount portion. Embodiments of pillar plates include two protruding edges on opposite sides of the pillar plate and a plurality of pillars with one or more affixed microarrays. Embodiments of the tool assembly include the tool and the pillar plate, wherein the protruding edges are configured to engage with the grasping portions.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A pillar plate for assaying microarrays that reduces the likelihood of air bubbles being trapped by the microarrays, comprising:
 a plurality of pillars that extend approximately perpendicular from the pillar plate, one or more microarrays being affixed to at least one pillar so that each microarray is prevented from being displaced from the at least one pillar when the pillar plate is turned upside down, and the pillar plate further comprising two protruding edges on opposite sides of the pillar plate,   wherein the protruding edges are configured to engage with grasping portions of clamps.   
     
     
         26 . The pillar plate of  claim 25 , wherein the number of pillars of the pillar plate is selected from a group consisting of 24, 96, 384, and 1536. 
     
     
         27 . The pillar plate of  claim 25 , wherein the pillar plate has an area that is larger than 50 square centimeters. 
     
     
         28 . The pillar plate of  claim 25 , wherein said microarrays are affixed to a top surface of the pillars with an adhesive. 
     
     
         29 . The pillar plate of  claim 28 , wherein said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy, a visible light curable epoxy, an ultraviolet light curable glue, and a heat curable glue epoxy. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)