Arrays of protein-capture agents and methods of use thereof
Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.
1 .- 45 . (canceled)
46 . A biochip comprising:
a substrate; and
an array of regions on the substrate, wherein the regions in the array of regions comprise protein capture agents, wherein the protein capture agents comprise aptamers.
47 . The biochip of claim 46 wherein the protein capture agents consist of aptamers.
48 . The biochip of claim 46 further comprising proteins bound to the aptamers.
49 . The biochip of claim 46 wherein the regions in the array of regions have a density of at least about 100 regions per cm 2 .
50 . The biochip of claim 46 wherein the aptamers are capable of binding to proteins.
51 . The biochip of claim 46 wherein the aptamers are DNA aptamers.
52 . A method for making an biochip, the method comprising:
obtaining a substrate; and
forming an array of regions on the substrate wherein the regions in the array of regions comprise protein capture agents wherein the protein capture agents comprise aptamers.
53 . The method of claim 52 wherein the protein capture agents consist of aptamers.
54 . The method of claim 52 wherein the regions in the array of regions have a density of at least about 100 regions per cm 2 .
55 . The method of claim 52 wherein the aptamers are capable of binding to proteins.
56 . The method of claim 52 wherein the array of regions contains more than 1000 regions.
57 . The method of claim 52 further comprising forming a polymer thin film on the substrate.
58 . A method of assaying, the method comprising:
obtaining a substrate and an array of regions on the substrate, the regions in the array of regions comprising protein capture agents comprising aptamers;
introducing a fluid to the substrate, the fluid comprising proteins;
detecting the binding, if any, of the proteins to the aptamers.
59 . The method of claim 58 wherein the proteins are human proteins.
60 . The method of claim 58 wherein the regions in the array of regions have a density of at least about 100 regions per cm 2 .
61 . The method of claim 58 wherein detecting comprises using an optical detection process to detect any binding to the aptamers.
62 . The method of claim 58 wherein the aptamers are DNA aptamers.
63 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the protein capture agents are photocrosslinked to analytes.
64 . A biochip comprising:
a substrate; and
an array of regions on the substrate, at least one region comprising a first polynucleotide hybridized to a second polynucleotide, and an analyte bound to the second polynucleotide.
65 . The biochip of claim 64 wherein the analyte is a protein.
66 . The biochip of claim 64 wherein the regions comprise respectively different proteins.
67 . The biochip of claim 64 wherein the second polynucleotide facilitates attachment of the analyte to the first polynucleotide.
68 . The biochip of claim 64 wherein the second polynucleotide facilitates attachment of the analyte to the first polynucleotide via a capture agent.