Chambers for storing arrays

An apparatus for storing a plurality of supports having an array of polynucleotides thereon, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a manifold comprising two compartments, each of said compartments being in fluid communication with at least two gas inlets,
• (b) a perforated element in fluid communication with said manifold, said perforated element comprising about 5 to about 200 perforations per square inch,
• (c) a holding chamber for said supports in fluid communication with said outlet element, said outlet element and said holding chamber being disposed such that gas flow therethrough is substantially unidirectional, said holding chamber comprising an opening sufficient to permit movement of said supports to and from said holding chamber and comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding said supports wherein said holding elements are adapted to hold said supports in a substantially vertical position, and
• (d) a mechanism for moving said supports into and out of said holding chamber through said opening and for positioning said supports in said holding elements.

A method for synthesizing a plurality of biopolymers on a support, said method comprising:

• (a) bringing said support and a dispensing system for dispensing reagents for the synthesis of said biopolymers into a dispensing position relative to said activated discrete sites on said surface,
• (b) dispensing said reagents to said discrete sites,
• (c) removing said support and/or said dispensing system from said relative dispensing position, and
• (d) optionally repeating steps (a) through (c) until said biopolymer is formed, wherein during said synthesis said support is stored in a holding chamber having a gas flowing therethrough in a positive and substantially unidirectional flow wherein the support is oriented in said holding chamber so that the plane of said support is substantially parallel to the direction of said unidirectional flow of gas.