Microarray compositions and methods of their use

Abstract

Microarray compositions suitable for analysis by one or several spectrographic methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a microarray composition includes a three-dimensional solid support and a plurality of reactive microbeads positioned on the solid support in spatially distinct and addressable locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microarray, the microarray comprising:
 a solid support, the solid support containing an analytical site, and a reactive site associated with the solid support, the reactive site comprising a bead and an active agent associated with the bead, the active agent being one of a biological cell, a live biological cell, a fragment of a biological cell, a virus particle, an antibody, and a protein,   wherein the analytical site is distinct from the reactive site and is fluidically connected to the reactive site,   and   wherein both the analytical site and the reactive site are located within a three-dimensional region having linear dimensions of less than 1 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional region is an interior of a microwell. 
     
     
         3 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the microarray further includes a matrix for mass spectrometry. 
     
     
         4 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the microarray further includes a digestive enzyme. 
     
     
         5 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the microarray further includes a nanoparticle. 
     
     
         6 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the bead contains a fluorescent dye. 
     
     
         7 . The microarray of  claim 1  wherein the active agent contains a fluorescent dye. 
     
     
         8 . An analytical method, the method comprising the steps of providing the microarray of  claim 1 ,
 causing a migration of the active agent or a fragment of the active agent from the reactive site to the analytical site   and   analyzing the analytical site using a mass spectrometer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of analyzing the reactive site using the mass spectrometer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the mass spectrometer is Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a laser beam of the mass spectrometer is substantially orthogonal to a surface of the solid support.