ARRAY SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS
The invention relates to sensor compositions comprising a composite array of individual arrays, to allow for simultaneous processing of a number of samples. The invention further provides methods of making and using the composite arrays. The invention further provides a hybridization chamber for use with a composite array.
1 . An array system comprising:
a base plate comprising a plurality of alignment moieties; and
at least one array component attached to said base plate, said at least one array component comprising a plurality of projections, each projection having an end comprising a surface, said surface having an array of nucleic acids distributed thereon, wherein the projections are configured to be dipped into wells of a multiwell plate.
2 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein said base plate is a holder comprising at least one depression into which said array component is inserted.
3 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein said base plate comprises a plate to which said array component is attached.
4 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of array components are attached to said base plate.
5 . The array system of claim 4 , wherein said base plate comprises a plurality of attachment moieties employed to attach said array components to said base plate.
6 . The array system of claim 5 , wherein said attachment moieties comprise hooks.
7 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acids are present at discrete sites.
8 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein said array of nucleic acids comprises different nucleic acids.
9 . The array system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one array component comprises a plurality of array components each comprising a plurality of projections.
10 . The array system of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of alignment moieties on said base plate are complementary to alignment moieties on a lid.
11 . The array system of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of alignment moieties comprises female fittings.
12 . The array system of claim 11 , wherein said female fittings are holes.
13 . The array system of claim 12 , wherein each array comprises at least 1000 different nucleic acids per square centimeter.
14 . The array system of claim 13 , wherein said surface is a glass surface.
15 . The array system of claim 14 , wherein said surface is planar.
16 . The array system of claim 15 , wherein said nucleic acids are attached to planar surface in an ordered arrangement.
17 . The array system of claim 16 , wherein said arrays are substantially identical to each other.
18 . The array system of claim 17 , wherein said array is made by a spotting, printing or photolithographic technique.
19 . The array system of claim 18 , wherein said projections are made of a material that resists the transmission of light.
20 . A packaged array system comprising:
a base plate comprising a plurality of alignment moieties;
at least one array component attached to said base plate, said at least one array component comprising a plurality of projections, each projection having an end comprising a surface, said surface having an array of nucleic acids distributed thereon, wherein the projections are configured to be dipped into wells of a multiwell plate; and
a removable lid that the covers the arrays.
21 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein said base plate is a holder comprising at least one depression into which said array component is inserted.
22 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein said base plate comprises a plate to which said array component is attached.
23 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein a plurality of array components are attached to said base plate.
24 . The packaged array system of claim 23 , wherein said base plate comprises a plurality of attachment moieties employed to attach said array components to said base plate.
25 . The packaged array system of claim 24 , wherein said attachment moieties comprise hooks.
26 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein said nucleic acids are present at discrete sites.
27 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein said array of nucleic acids comprises different nucleic acids.
28 . The packaged array system of claim 20 , wherein said at least one array component comprises a plurality of array components each comprising a plurality of projections.
29 . The packaged array system of claim 28 , wherein said lid comprises a plurality of alignment moieties complementary to said alignment moieties on said base plate.
30 . The packaged array system of claim 29 , wherein said one or more alignment moieties on said base plate are female fittings and said one or more alignment moieties on said lid are male fittings.
31 . The packaged array system of claim 30 , wherein said one or more female fittings are holes and said one or more male fittings are pins.
32 . The packaged array system of claim 31 , wherein said one or more pins are inserted into said one or more holes.
33 . The packaged array system of claim 32 further comprising a seal disposed between said base plate and said lid.
34 . The packaged array system of claim 32 lacking a seal disposed between said base plate and said lid.
35 . The packaged array system of claim 34 , wherein each array comprises at least 1000 different nucleic acids per square centimeter.
36 . The packaged array system of claim 35 , wherein said surface is a glass surface.
37 . The packaged array system of claim 36 , wherein said surface is planar.
38 . The packaged array system of claim 37 , wherein said nucleic acids are attached to said planar surface in an ordered arrangement.
39 . The packaged array system of claim 38 , wherein said arrays are substantially identical to each other.
40 . The packaged array system of claim 39 comprising 96 projections.
41 . The packaged array system of claim 39 comprising less than 96 projections.
42 . The packaged array system of claim 39 , wherein said array is made by a spotting, printing or photolithographic technique.
43 . The packaged array system of claim 39 , wherein said lid is secured to said base plate.
44 . The packaged array system of claim 39 , wherein said projections are made of a material that resists the transmission of light.