Arrays of magnetic particles
The present invention provides a method for the generation of novel libraries of encoded magnetic particles from sub-libraries of by the generation of novel sub-libraries of magnetic nanoparticles and encoded particles. The sub-libraries are functionalized on demand are useful in the formation of arrays. The present invention is especially useful for performing multiplexed (parallel) assays for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of binding interactions of a number of analyte molecules in a sample.
1. A method of forming an array, comprising:
providing a plurality of magnetic particles comprising at least two different particle populations, each bearing a different binding agent and being distinguishable by an optically differentiable code associated therewith, suspended in a fluid;
contacting the magnetic particles with analytes in solution under conditions permitting the binding agents to bind to analytes in an analyte-specific manner;
assembling the magnetic particles, following said contacting and binding to analytes, in a planar array on one or more chips using a magnetic field; and then forming a gel film on the surface of the chips and immobilizing the magnetic particles on the chips by embedding them in the gel film.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the particles are randomly placed in the array.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of arrays are assembled on a plurality of chips.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the chips include microwells patterned on the chips.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the gel film is a polymer.