Three-dimensional polymer networks with channels situated therein
The disclosure provides three-dimensional crosslinked polymer networks comprising one or more channels extending from the surface and/or near the surface of the network into the interior of the network, arrays comprising the networks, processes for making the networks, and uses of the networks and arrays.
1. A method for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample, comprising:
(a) contacting a three-dimensional network comprising probe molecules that are capable of binding to the analyte with the sample, wherein the three-dimensional network:
(i) is composed of a water-swellable polymer formed by cross-linking a water-soluble polymer;
(ii) is cross-linked to the surface of a rigid substrate;
(iii) comprises one or more channels that are bounded by water-soluble polymer chains; and
(iv) comprises probe molecules covalently attached to the water-soluble polymer chains; and
(b) detecting binding of the analyte to the probe molecules in the three-dimensional network, thereby determining whether the analyte is present in the sample.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising quantifying binding of the analyte to the probe molecules in the three-dimensional network.
3. Them method of claim 1 , wherein the analyte is a nucleic acid.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional network has been used and washed at least 10 times prior to step (a).
5. The method of claim 1 , which further comprises reusing the three-dimensional network at least 10 times following step (b).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional network comprises at least 5 channels that are bounded by water-soluble polymer chains and converge at a point in the interior of the network such that the lateral distance between the channels decreases from the surface of the water-swellable polymer toward the surface of the rigid substrate.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional network comprises at least 10 channels that are bounded by water-soluble polymer chains and converge at a point in the interior of the network such that the lateral distance between the channels decreases from the surface of the water-swellable polymer toward the surface of the rigid substrate.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network extends into the interior of the water-swellable polymer from a point that is less than 10 microns from the surface of the water-swellable polymer or extends into the interior of the water-swellable polymer from a point on the surface of the water-swellable polymer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network extends into the interior of the water-swellable polymer from a point that is less than 5 microns from the surface of the water-swellable polymer or extends into the interior of the water-swellable polymer from a point on the surface of the water-swellable polymer.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network has a length that is at least 10% of the largest dimension of the three-dimensional network.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network has a length that is at least 20% of the largest dimension of the three-dimensional network.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network have a minimum cross-section of at least 5 times the three-dimensional network's mesh size.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of the channels in the three-dimensional network have a minimum cross-section of 5 to 25 times the three-dimensional network's mesh size.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of channels in the three-dimensional network have a minimum cross-section of at least 15 times the network's mesh size.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least at least a majority of the channels in the three-dimensional network have a length that is 15% to 25% of the largest dimension of the three-dimensional network.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional network has in its hydrated state a mesh size of 5 to 75 nm.
17. The method of claim 6 , wherein the three-dimensional network has in its hydrated state a mesh size of 5 to 75 nm.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of probe molecules in the three-dimensional network are in the interior of the water-swellable polymer.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of probe molecules in the three-dimensional network adjoin a channel.