Three-dimensional polymer networks and their use
The disclosure provides three-dimensional cross-linked polymer networks transport channels, arrays comprising the networks, processes for making the networks, and uses of the networks and arrays.
1. An array comprising a plurality of three-dimensional hydrogel networks immobilized on a substrate, wherein the three-dimensional hydrogel networks:
(a) comprise crosslinked water-soluble polymer chains and one or more probe molecules; and
(b) have one or more long transport channels and one or more short transport channels.
2. The array of claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble polymer chains comprise polymer chains polymerized from dimethylacrylamide (DMAA), methacryloyloxybenzophenone (MABP), and sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate (SSNa).
3. The array of claim 1 , wherein the probe molecules are nucleic acid molecules.
4. The array of claim 2 , wherein the probe molecules are nucleic acid molecules.
5. The array of claim 1 , wherein the probe molecules are crosslinked to the crosslinked water-soluble polymer chains.
6. The array of claim 2 , wherein the probe molecules are crosslinked to the crosslinked water-soluble polymer chains.
7. The array of claim 3 , wherein the probe molecules are crosslinked to the crosslinked water-soluble polymer chains.
8. The array of claim 4 , wherein the probe molecules are crosslinked to the crosslinked water-soluble polymer chains.
9. The array of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional hydrogel networks comprises one or more three-dimensional hydrogel networks comprising labeled control probe molecules.
10. The array of claim 9 , wherein the labeled control probe molecules are fluorescently labeled.
11. The array of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional hydrogel networks are crosslinked to the substrate.
12. The array of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional hydrogel networks are positioned at discrete spots on the substrate.
13. The array of claim 1 , wherein the one or more short transport channels are formed from cubic or rod-shaped salt crystals.
14. The array of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the three-dimensional networks comprises one or more short transport channels penetrated by one or more long transport channels.
15. The array of claim 1 , wherein the one or more long transport channels are formed from needle-shaped salt crystals.
16. The array of claim 13 , wherein the one or more long transport channels are formed from needle-shaped salt crystals.
17. A method for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample, comprising:
(a) contacting the array of claim 1 with the sample, wherein the array comprises one or more three-dimensional hydrogel networks comprising probe molecules that are capable of binding to the analyte; and
(b) detecting binding of the analyte to the probe molecules.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the network has been used and washed at least 10 times prior to step (a).
19. The method of claim 17 , which further comprises reusing the network at least 10 times following step (b).
20. The method of claim 17 , which further comprises quantifying binding of the analyte to the probe molecules.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the array comprises at least one three-dimensional hydrogel network comprising a fluorescently labelled oligonucleotide as a reusability control.
22. The method of claim 21 , which comprises testing the fluorescent signal strength.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the reusability control retains at least 70% of its initial fluorescence signal strength after 10 uses.