Biochemical blocking layer for liquid crystal assay

A rubbed substrate structure for use in a liquid crystal assay device, comprising:

• (a) a biochemical blocking compound chemically immobilized on a surface of one side of a support forming a biochemical blocking layer;
• and
• (b) a biomolecule recognition agent deposited on the side of the support containing the biochemical blocking layer, the biomolecule recognition agent comprising a recognition site capable of selectively recognizing a target species to be detected by the liquid crystal assay device,
• wherein the surface of the side of the support containing the biochemical blocking layer is rubbed such that it possesses features that drive a uniform anchoring of liquid crystals when the liquid crystals contact the side of the support containing the biochemical blocking layer.

A device for detecting the presence of more than one target species in a sample, comprising:

• (a) a support with a rubbed surface comprising a biochemical blocking layer;
• (b) a first target species detection region on a first portion of the support comprising the biochemical blocking layer, the first target species detection region comprising a first biomolecule recognition agent capable of binding the first target species;
• and
• (c) at least one other target species detection region on at least one other portion of the support comprising the biochemical blocking layer, the at least one other target species detection region comprising at least one other biomolecule recognition agent capable of binding the at least one other target species;
• wherein the first target species detection region uniformly anchors liquid crystals in the absence of the target species and the at least one other target species detection region uniformly anchors liquid crystals in the absence of the at least one other target species, and further wherein the uniform anchoring of liquid crystals in the first target species detection region is disrupted when the first target species detection region is exposed to the first target species and the uniform anchoring of liquid crystals in the at least one other target species detection region is disrupted when the at least one other target species detection region is exposed to the at least one other target species.