Nucleic Acid Amplification With Integrated Multiplex Detection

1 . An array for detecting multiple proteins of interest in a sample, the array comprising:

a. Protein capture agents bound to beads and;

b. Encoded oligonucleotides bound to beads, wherein the proteins of interest are captured using the protein capture agents and wherein capture is detected using encoded antibodies, said antibodies encoded with a conjugated DNA tag sequence which is designed to be amplified and wherein the amplified tag sequence can be decoded upon interaction with the bound encoded oligonucleotides.

2 . The array of claim 1 wherein the protein of interest is a protein associated with a red blood cell.

3 . The array of claim 1 wherein the amplification of the conjugated tag sequence is done with an in vitro transcription reaction.

4 . The array of claim 1 wherein the detection of the amplified tag is done using a labeled reverse transcription reaction.

5 . The array of claim 1 wherein the encoded antibodies are specific for red blood cell surface antigens.

6 . The array of claim 1 wherein the array is housed within a device, said device comprising at least two sections:

a. a first section containing the array; and

b. a second section containing a sample area for cells, wherein said first section and said second section are joined by a channel.

7 . A method of comprising:

a. Providing an array comprising:

i. protein capture agents bound to a first set of beads;

ii. encoded oligonucleotides bound to a second set of beads;

b. Incubating , a sample containing a protein of interest with the array to allow the protein to bind the protein capture agent;

c. Removing any unbound proteins from protein capture reagent;

d. Incubating bound proteins with encoded antibodies to form a protein capture agent:protein:encoded antibody complex wherein said encoded antibody is conjugated to a DNA tag sequence capable of identifying the bound protein once decoded;

e. Removing any unbound encoded proteins from the protein capture reagent:protein sample;

f. Transcribing the conjugated DNA from the complex with RNA polymerase;

g. Generating cDNA of the transcribed DNA using reverse transcriptase;

h. Incubating the complex under conditions to allow hybridization of the cDNA to the encoded nucleotides bound to the second set of beads;

i. Determining the presence of the protein of interest from said hybridization.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the generation of cDNA is performed with labeled nucleotides.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the transcription and detection reactions are performed concurrently.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the method is automated.

11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein multiple proteins of interest are assayed concurrently on the array.

12 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the protein of interest are red blood cell surface antigens.

13 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the encoded antibodies are specific for red blood cell antigens.

14 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the method is performed in a device comprising at least 2 sections:

a. A first section housing a microparticle array; and

b. A second section housing a sample area for cells, wherein said first section and said section are joined by a channel.

15 . A device for housing an array comprising at least 2 sections further comprising:

a. A first section housing a microparticle array; and

b. A second section housing a sample area for red blood cells, wherein said first section and said section are joined by a channel.

16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein said device has a third section for performing serology analysis on samples from the second section.

17 . The device of claim 15 , wherein said device is part of an automated device.

18 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the first section has a volume of about 100 μl or less.

19 . The device of claim 15 , wherein said device has a fourth section for performing genomic DNA extraction from material present in the second section.