FLOW CELLS
An example of a flow cell includes a substrate; a plurality of reactive regions spatially separated from one another across the substrate; and a plurality of independently removable coatings respectively positioned over each of the plurality of reactive regions. Each of the plurality of reactive regions includes a polymeric hydrogel layer; and a reactive entity attached to the polymeric hydrogel layer. At least one of the independently removable coatings is a gas-dissolvable coating.
1 . A flow cell, comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of reactive regions spatially separated from one another across the substrate, each of the plurality of reactive regions including:
a polymeric hydrogel layer; and
a reactive entity attached to the polymeric hydrogel layer; and
a plurality of independently removable coatings respectively positioned over each of the plurality of reactive regions;
wherein at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings is a gas-dissolvable coating.
2 . The flow cell as defined in claim 1 , wherein the reactive entity in each of the plurality of reactive regions is a primer set.
3 . The flow cell as defined in claim 2 , wherein the primer set is the same in each of the plurality of reactive regions.
4 . The flow cell as defined in claim 2 , wherein the primer set of at least one of the plurality of reactive regions is different than the primer set of at least one other of the plurality of reactive regions.
5 . The flow cell as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of depressions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned within a respective one of the plurality of depressions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of reactive regions.
6 . The flow cell as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of protrusions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of protrusions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of protrusions.
7 . The flow cell as defined in claim 1 , wherein the gas-dissolvable coating is selected from the group consisting of an amine-based coating, an amidine-based coating, a guanidine-based coating, an oxygen-responsive copolymer, an oxidation-responsive copolymer, and combinations thereof.
8 . A method, comprising:
selectively removing at least one of a plurality of independently removable coatings respectively positioned over each of a plurality of reactive regions spatially separated from one another across a substrate, thereby exposing at least one of the plurality of reactive regions and a reactive entity at the at least one of the plurality of reactive regions;
wherein each of the plurality of reactive regions includes a polymeric hydrogel layer and a reactive entity attached to the polymeric hydrogel layer; and
wherein at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings is a gas-dissolvable coating; and
initiating a reaction involving the reactive entity.
9 . The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein selectively removing the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings involves exposing the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings to a reactive gas and water in the presence of an inert gas, thereby dissolving the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings.
10 . The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of depressions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned within a respective one of the plurality of depressions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of reactive regions.
11 . The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of protrusions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of protrusions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of protrusions.
12 . The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the reactive entity in each of the plurality of reactive regions is a primer set.
13 . The method as defined in claim 12 , wherein the primer set is the same in each of the plurality of reactive regions.
14 . The method as defined in claim 12 , wherein the primer set of at least one of the plurality of reactive regions is different than the primer set of at least one other of the plurality of reactive regions.
15 . The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the gas-dissolvable coating is selected from the group consisting of an amine-based coating, an amidine-based coating, a guanidine-based coating, an oxygen-responsive copolymer, an oxidation-responsive copolymer, and combinations thereof.
16 . A flow cell, comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of reactive regions spatially separated from one another across the substrate, each of the plurality of reactive regions including:
a polymeric hydrogel layer; and
a reactive entity attached to the polymeric hydrogel layer;
a heating mechanism aligned with at least one of the plurality of reactive regions; and
a plurality of independently removable coatings respectively positioned over each of the plurality of reactive regions;
wherein at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings is a heat-responsive coating.
17 . The flow cell as defined in claim 16 , wherein the reactive entity in each of the plurality of reactive regions is a primer set.
18 . The flow cell as defined in claim 17 , wherein the primer set is the same in each of the plurality of reactive regions.
19 . The flow cell as defined in claim 17 , wherein the primer set of at least one of the plurality of reactive regions is different than the primer set of at least one other of the plurality of reactive regions.
20 . The flow cell as defined in claim 16 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of depressions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned within a respective one of the plurality of depressions;
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of reactive regions.
21 . The flow cell as defined in claim 16 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of protrusions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of protrusions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of protrusions.
22 . The flow cell as defined in claim 16 , wherein the heat-responsive coating is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, polycaprolactone, agarose, wax, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), cyclodextrins, polyethylene glycol homopolymer, polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, polyethylene block copolymer, and a combination thereof.
23 . A method, comprising:
selectively removing at least one of a plurality of independently removable coatings respectively positioned over each of a plurality of reactive regions spatially separated from one another across a substrate by activating at least one heating mechanism, thereby exposing at least one of the plurality of reactive regions and a reactive entity at the at least one of the plurality of reactive regions;
wherein each of the plurality of reactive regions includes a polymeric hydrogel layer and a reactive entity attached to the polymeric hydrogel layer;
wherein at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings is a heat-responsive coating; and
wherein at least one of the plurality of reactive regions aligns with the at least one heating mechanism; and
initiating a reaction involving the reactive entity.
24 . The method as defined in claim 23 , wherein selectively removing the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings involves exposing the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings to heat generated by the at least one heating mechanism, thereby rendering the at least one of the plurality of independently removable coatings soluble in an aqueous solvent.
25 . The method as defined in claim 23 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of depressions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned within a respective one of the plurality of depressions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of reactive regions.
26 . The method as defined in claim 23 , wherein:
the substrate includes a plurality of protrusions;
each of the plurality of reactive regions is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of protrusions; and
each of the plurality of independently removable coatings covers a respective one of the plurality of protrusions.
27 . The method as defined in claim 23 , wherein the reactive entity in each of the plurality of reactive regions is a primer set.
28 . The method as defined in claim 27 , wherein the primer set is the same in each of the plurality of reactive regions.
29 . The method as defined in claim 27 , wherein the primer set of at least one of the plurality of reactive regions is different than the primer set of at least one other of the plurality of reactive regions.
30 . The method as defined in claim 23 , wherein the heat-responsive coating is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, polycaprolactone, agarose, wax, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), cyclodextrins, polyethylene glycol homopolymer, polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, polyethylene block copolymer, and a combination thereof.