Optical and electrical methods and apparatus for molecule detection

Apparatus for synthesizing molecular probes in situ comprising:

• a) an array of test sites each site containing precursor molecules to be reacted;
• b) an array of resistors disposed adjacent to the test site array with a respective resistor located in proximity to a respective test site;
• and
• c) coupling means for coupling a respective resistor to an electrical source for heating a respective resistor to induce a thermal reaction for synthesis of molecules in a respective test site.

A method for synthesizing a plurality of different known molecular structures on an array of test sites comprising:

• a) providing an array of test sites;
• b) providing a source of chemical reactants disposed adjacent the test sites;
• c) providing electrodes associated with respective test sites;
• and
• d) applying a potential to a respective electrode to synthesize said different known molecular structures at said different known sites in the array.

Apparatus for enhancing hybridization between a synthesized probe and a target molecule comprising:

• a) an array of test sites each site containing a plurality of probes, each test site having probes of known binding characteristics, and wherein the probes in each test site differ from the probes in other test sites in a known predetermined manner;
• b) an electrode associated with each site;
• c) a source of target molecules applied to said sites;
• and
• d) a voltage source for applying a potential to a respective electrode for attracting said target molecules to said probes.

A method for determining the presence of molecular structures within a sample substance comprising:

• a) forming an array of test sites having specific known oligonucleotide probes formed therein selected to bind with said structures of known binding characteristics, each site having oligonucleotide probes which bind to a different structure and wherein the location of the sites containing specific known oligonucleotide probes is also known;
• b) dispensing a sample substance into a test site;
• c) generating radiation through the test sites;
• and
• d) detecting, by detection circuitry coupled to individual test sites of the array, the difference in the radiation which is absorbed by the respective test sites to determine the presence of the structures which are bonded to a probe.

A method for attaching probes to a test site formed in a substrate comprising the steps of:

• a) forming test sites in a substrate;
• b) forming an adhesive material in the test site which material enables probes to attach to the test sites;
• c) forming a coating over the adhesive material;
• d) contacting the coating with a coating-removal material while selectively initiating a reaction at a selected site which removes the coating at the selected site;
• and
• e) contacting the site in which the coating has been removed with probes which adhere to the adhesive material.