Multiple micro-arrays

Abstract

A method and device are provided for simultaneously creating a plurality of identical micro-arrays of biological samples. The invention utilizes a plurality of substrates, each of which having a top side, a bottom side, and a pattern of through-holes. Each through-hole has a wider upper cross-section, a narrower lower cross-section, and a step or plateau formed in the transition area. When the substrates are stacked, through-holes are in registry and form tunnels extending through the stack of substrates. Reagents of interest are caused to flow through the tunnels and deposit on the step or plateau area. A barrier layer may be provided to prevent leak-through between neighboring holes. After the desired reagents have been deposited, the substrates are separated. In this manner a series of micro-arrays, each capable of containing hundreds or thousands of biological samples such as cDNA fragments, is formed simultaneously.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.