( (Figure 3). The P...)New Tools for Making and Processing Protein Microarrays.

The Processing Cell includes a base block, which provides the route for fluid channels, creation of micro-valves and 2 low-volume sample storage chambers. On top of this base block is a membrane diaphragm, a further micro channel block to create fluid paths, another membrane diaphragm and finally the reaction chamber block which is temperature controlled. This provides for fluid input/output to the reaction chamber and forms the base of the reaction chamber itself. The reaction chamber block also contains the pipette tip holding mechanisms and ports by which the low-volume samples are added to the sample storage chamber.

The reaction chamber is created between the surfaces of the reaction chamber block and the protein microarray. These are separated by a very narrow shim or gasket, the thickness of which determines the reaction volume over the microarray surface and can be varied to accommodate either the planar glass biochips or the 3-dimensional surface of the HydroGel coated slides.

To simplify loading protein microarrays into the ProteinArray Workstation, the biochip is placed into a protein microarray carrier, which also incorporates the shim or gasket. The protein microarray is firmly clamped into position using a single action mechanism providing thorough sealing around the extreme edge of the biochip substrate and giving an active area of 21 mm x 60 mm (Figure 4).

The low-volume sample is loaded into the sample storage chamber by drawing 75 μL of sample into a pipette tip (Eppendorf, Gilson or similar). The pipette tip, complete with 75 uL of sample, is positioned in the pipette tip holding mechanism. The sample is then automatically drawn into the sample storage chamber as part of the protocol at the start of a method. The sample remains in the sample storage chamber during automated processing until the point at which it is needed in the assay, when it is then aut
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