Direct molecular patterning using a micro-stamp gel
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsDavid C. Turner, Brett Martin, Bruce P. Gaber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stamp for transferring molecules and molecular patterns to a substrate face includes a backing and a polymeric gel bound to the backing and loaded with the a molecular species. Where the molecule to be patterned is a biomolecule, such as a protein or nucleic acid, the polymeric gel is typically a hydrogel. Exemplary hydrogels include sugar-based polyacrylates and polyacrylamides.
Claims21
A molecular stamp comprising:
- a solid substrate support;
- a polymeric gel covalently bound to said solid support so as to form an exposed patterned surface, said patterned surface including a raised region comprising said polymeric gel and at least one indentation within said raised region;
- said polymeric gel having absorbed therein a liquid vehicle, said liquid vehicle having a first molecular species dissolved or colloidally suspended therein.
A molecular stamp comprising an array of capillaries, each of said capillaries having an open end, a plurality of said capillaries each including therein a gel extending from within said capillaries to beyond said open end of said capillaries, said gel in at least one of said capillaries having absorbed therein a liquid vehicle having a first molecular species dissolved or colloidally dispersed therein.
A method of transferring a molecular species to a substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
- loading a molecular species dissolved or colloidally suspended in a liquid vehicle into a polymeric gel, said polymeric gel being covalently bound on one surface thereof to a solid support so as to form an exposed patterned surface on another surface of said gel, said patterned surface including a raised region comprising said polymeric gel and at least one indentation within said raised region;
- contacting said exposed portion of said polymeric gel to a substrate, thereby transferring said loaded molecular species from said polymeric gel onto said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.