US 6,375,903 B1 · Method and apparatus for synthesis of arrays of DNA probes

Abstract

The synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing an image former that includes a light source that provides light to a micromirror device comprising an array of electronically addressable micromirrors, each of which can be selectively tilted between one of at least two positions. Projection optics receives the light reflected from the micromirrors along an optical axis and precisely images the micromirrors onto the active surface of the substrate, which may be used to activate the surface of the substrate. The first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different pattern of micromirrors, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto. The micromirror array can be controlled in conjunction with a DNA synthesizer supplying appropriate reagents to a flow cell containing the active substrate to control the sequencing of images presented by the micromirror array in coordination of the reagents provided to the substrate.

Claims31

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use in synthesis of arrays of DNA probes, comprising:

(a) a substrate with an active surface on which the arrays may be formed;
(b) a flow cell enclosing the active surface of the substrate and having ports for applying DNA synthesis reagents into the flow cell which can be flowed over the active surface of the substrate;
and
(c) an image former providing a high precision, two-dimensional light image projected onto the substrate active surface, comprising:
(1) a light source providing a light beam;
(2) a micromirror device receiving the light beam from the source and formed of an array of electronically addressable micromirrors, each of which can be selectively tilted between one of at least two separate positions, wherein in one of the positions of each micromirror the light from the source incident upon the micromirror is deflected away from an optical axis and in a second of the at least two positions of the micromirror the light is reflected along the optical axis;
and
(3) projection optics receiving the light reflected from the micromirrors along the optical axis and imaging the pattern of the micromirrors onto the active surface of the substrate, wherein the light is directed from the micromirror onto the active surface by reflective optical elements.

5 more elements

Apparatus for use in synthesis arrays of DNA probes, comprising:

(a) a substrate with an active surface on which the arrays may be formed;
(b) a flow cell enclosing the active surface of the substrate and having ports for applying DNA synthesis reagents into the flow cell which can be flowed over the active surface of the substrate;
and
(c) an image former providing a high precision, two-dimensional light image projected onto the substrate active surface, comprising:
(1) a light source providing a light beam;
(2) a micromirror device receiving the light beam from the source and formed of an array of electronically addressable micromirrors, wherein the micromirror device is formed of a two dimensional array of micromirrors, cach of which can be selectively tilted between one of at least two separate positions, wherein in one of the positions of each micromirror the light from the source incident upon the micromirror is deflected away from an optical axis and in a second of the at least two positions of the micromirror the light is reflected along the optical axis;
and
(3) projection optics receiving the light reflected from the micromirrors along the optical axis and imaging the pattern of the micromirrors onto the active surface of the substrate, wherein the projection optics is telecetric and wherein light is directed from the micromirrors to the active surface is by reflective optical elements.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for synthesis of arrays of DNA probes

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for synthesis of arrays of DNA probes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31