Microarray compositions and methods of their use
Microarray compositions suitable for analysis by one or several spectrographic methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a microarray composition includes a three-dimensional solid support and a plurality of reactive microbeads positioned on the solid support in spatially distinct and addressable locations.
1. A method for analyzing a microarray, the method comprising the steps of:
acquiring an optical image of a microarray using an optical imaging instrument, the microarray containing a spot produced by eluting an analyte from a bead positioned inside a microwell into the microwell,
using a computer to analyze the optical image of the microarray to identify an area of the microarray that contains the analyte spot, positioning an ionization beam of a mass spectrometer directly over the analyte spot, and
acquiring mass spectrometric data from the microarray such that a mass spectrometry signal of the analyte is obtained from the analyte spot and not from the bead.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical image is a digital image.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical image is a fluorescence image.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical image is obtained using a video camera of a mass spectrometer.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the mass spectrometric data is acquired using raster sampling.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein mass spectra of the eluted analytes are acquired from multiple locations within the microarray and then averaged.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein dimensions of the analyte spot do not exceed 1 mm.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the eluted analytes are selected from a group consisting of peptides, peptoids, peptidomimetics, proteins, antibodies, metabolites, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and drug compounds.
9. A method for analyzing a microarray, the method comprising the steps of:
optically analyzing a microarray using an optical imaging instrument, the microarray containing a spot produced by eluting an analyte from a bead, which is positioned inside a microwell, into the microwell,
using a computer to analyze an optical image of the microarray to determine localization of the analyte spot,
and
acquiring mass spectrometric data from the microarray such that a mass spectrometry signal of the analyte is detected at the location of the analyte spot and not detected at a location of the bead.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the microarray is digitally imaged.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein a fluorescence image of the microarray is obtained.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the microarray is optically analyzed using a video camera of a mass spectrometer.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the mass spectrometric data is acquired using raster sampling.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein mass spectra of the eluted analytes are acquired from multiple locations within the microarray and then averaged.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein dimensions of the analyte spot do not exceed 1 mm.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the eluted analytes are selected from a group consisting of peptides, peptoids, peptidomimetics, proteins, antibodies, metabolites, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and drug compounds.