Systems and methods for surface structuring
Systems and methods for the formation of single-analyte arrays are described. Array sites are formed via the patterning of surface-linked organic layers by electromagnetic radiation. Each array site may be modified after patterning to produce a chemistry at the array site that facilitates the controlled deposition of a single analyte at the array site.
1 . A method, comprising:
a) providing a solid support comprising a surface, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of surface sites, wherein a substantially uniform layer is coupled to the surface, wherein the substantially uniform layer comprises a plurality of first molecules, wherein each surface site of the plurality of surface sites is attached to a first molecule of the plurality of first molecules;
b) applying electromagnetic radiation to an area of the surface, thereby disrupting first molecules of the plurality of first molecules from a region of the surface, the disrupting comprising selectively removing a first fraction of the plurality of first molecules and selectively reacting a second fraction of the plurality of first molecules, wherein, after applying the electromagnetic radiation to the region of the surface, the region of the surface comprises a first subset of surface sites of the plurality of surface sites that are free of any portion of the first molecules or derivatives thereof, and wherein the region of the surface further comprises a second subset of surface sites of the plurality of surface sites that are attached to first molecules of the plurality of first molecules or derivatives thereof; and
c) coupling a plurality of second molecules to the first molecules of the plurality of first molecules or derivatives thereof attached to the second subset of surface sites, and coupling a plurality of third molecules to the first subset of surface sites of the plurality of surface sites.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially uniform layer comprises a passivating layer, wherein the passivating layer comprises a plurality of molecular chains, wherein the plurality of molecular chains comprise linear molecular chains, branched molecular chains, or a combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of molecular chains comprises a polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylene oxide (PEO), a linear alkyl moiety, a branched alkyl moiety, a fluorinated hydrocarbon, a linear polysaccharide, a branched polysaccharide, a dendrimer, or a combination thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying electromagnetic radiation to the area of the surface comprises the steps of:
a. providing a mask component adjacent to the substantially uniform layer, wherein the mask component comprises a metal or dielectric material, and wherein the mask component comprises an opening that is configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation to the area of the surface; and
b. directing electromagnetic radiation through the opening, thereby applying electromagnetic radiation to the area of the surface.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying electromagnetic radiation comprises applying electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range between 1 nanometer (nm) and 20 microns (μm).
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid support comprises a silicon-containing substrate.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of third molecules comprises an organosilane molecule.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid support comprises a metal oxide substrate.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of third molecules comprises an organophosphonate or organophosphate molecule.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the derivative of a first molecule of the plurality of first molecules comprises a reactive functional group.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the plurality of second molecules to the derivative of the first molecule of the first molecules of the plurality of first molecules comprises coupling the reactive functional group of the derivative to a reactive functional group of a second molecule of the plurality of second molecules.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the reactive functional group of the derivative comprises an oxidized reactive functional group.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the plurality of second molecules to the first molecules of the plurality of first molecules or derivatives thereof further comprises modifying a derivative of a first molecule of the plurality of first molecules to form a reactive functional group.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second molecules comprises a first plurality of coupling moieties, and wherein the plurality of third molecules comprises a second plurality of coupling moieties.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second molecules comprises a plurality of coupling moieties, and wherein the plurality of third molecules comprises a plurality of passivating moieties.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of third molecules comprises a plurality of coupling moieties, and wherein the plurality of second molecules comprises a plurality of passivating moieties.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the region of the surface comprises a first subregion and a second subregion, wherein the first subregion comprises no molecules of the first molecules of the plurality of first molecules, and wherein the second subregion comprises the first molecules of the plurality of first molecules.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the second subregion is a continuous subregion.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the second subregion forms an annular region that surrounds the first subregion.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the second subregion is a non-continuous subregion.