Biomolecular attachment sites on microelectronic arrays and methods thereof

1. A method of addressing a biomolecule to a selectively addressable electrode, comprising the steps of:

providing a permeation layer overlying a plurality of selectively addressable electrodes, the permeation layer comprising a reactive group adapted to bond to a biomolecule, wherein the reactive group requires activation through a chemical transformation before bonding to the biomolecule;

biasing at least one selectively addressable electrode such that a pH change occurs in an overlying solution of the at least one selectively addressable electrode, wherein the reactive group in a portion of the permeation layer above the at least one selectively addressable electrode is chemically transformed to an activated reactive group as a result of the pH change; and

binding a biomolecule to the permeation layer overlying the at least one selectively addressable electrode through the activated reactive group.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reactive group is an acid labile group.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the acid labile group is selected from the group consisting of imines, TBOC, FMOC, trityl, trifluoroacetamide, and esters.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the reactive group is a thiol ester.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the reactive group is a ketal.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule is covalently attached to the reactive group.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule is a nucleic acid.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, enzymes, and antibodies.