Multiplexed assay using encoded solid support matrices

An assay for evaluating a plurality of molecules, comprising:

• linking each of the molecules to one of a plurality of separate support matrix particles, each support matrix particle comprising a substrate adapted for attachment of a molecule and further comprising an integral optically-readable memory device that is pre-encoded with a unique identity adapted to be read using a combination of two or more discrete optical wavelengths, wherein the unique identity identifies the molecule linked to the support matrix particle;
• exposing each molecule and its linked support matrix particle to one or more reagents in suspension, wherein at least one of the one or more reagents is conjugated with a label;
• placing the plurality of support matrix particles into a vessel having a constricted section feeding into an optically-transparent tube disposed within the path of an optical detector, the optical detector comprising two or more lasers, each laser emitting at one of the two or more optical discrete wavelengths, adapted to read the optically-readable memory device as the support matrix particle passes through the optically-transparent tube;
• and
• directing the support matrix particles past an analytical instrument adapted to detect the label for measuring biochemical processes on each support matrix particle.

A multiplexed assay, comprising:

• linking each molecule of a plurality of molecules to a separate support matrix particle, each support matrix particle comprising a substrate adapted for attachment of a molecule and further comprising an integrally-formed memory device that is embedded or encased within the support matrix particle, wherein the memory device comprises a pre-encoded optical identifier that uniquely identifies the molecule linked to the support matrix;
• exposing the plurality of molecules and their corresponding support matrix particles to one or more processing steps in suspension to produce a plurality of processed molecules, wherein at least one of the one or more processing steps comprises attaching a detectable label for measuring biochemical activity within each processed molecule;
• and
• placing the plurality of support matrix particles into a vessel having a constricted section feeding into an optically-transparent tube disposed within the path of an optical detector comprising two or more lasers, each laser emitting at one of two or more discrete optical wavelengths, adapted to read the pre-encoded optical identifier and a detection path of an analytical instrument adapted to detect the detectable label for measuring biochemical activity on each support matrix particle, wherein the measured biochemical activity is associated with the pre-encoded optical identifier for the corresponding support matrix particle and, hence, with the processed molecule that is linked to the support matrix particle.

A multiplexed assay, comprising:

• attaching each molecule of a plurality of molecules to one of a plurality of separate identifier tags, each identifier tag comprising a support matrix particle comprising a substrate adapted for attachment of a molecule and further comprising an optical memory comprising a unique combination of spectrally-encoded bits adapted to be read by illuminating the identifier tag with a plurality of light sources, each light source emitting light at a discrete optical wavelength corresponding to a spectrally-encoded bit of the combination;
• exposing the plurality of identifier tags with the attached molecules to one or more processing conditions in suspension;
• placing the plurality of identifier tags with the attached molecules into a common vessel;
• measuring biochemical activity of the attached molecules within the common vessel;
• and
• before, during or after measuring biochemical activity, exposing the identifier tags with attached molecules to the plurality of light sources and detecting the combinations of spectrally-encoded bits, wherein each of the plurality of identifier tags has different encoded data in its combination of spectrally-encoded bits so that when the plurality of identifier tags is placed into the common vessel, the molecule attached to each identifier tag has a unique identity associated therewith.

An assay for evaluating a plurality of molecules, comprising:

• linking each of the molecules to a one of a plurality of separate identifier tags, each identifier tag comprising a support matrix particle comprising a substrate adapted for attachment of molecules and further comprising an integrally-formed memory device comprising a unique combination of optically-encoded bits adapted to be read by illuminating the identifier tag with a plurality of light sources, each light source emitting light at a discrete optical wavelength corresponding to an optically-encoded bit of the combination;
• exposing each identifier tag with its linked molecule to one or more reagents in suspension, wherein at least one of the one or more reagents is conjugated with a label;
• placing the plurality of identifier tags with the linked molecules into a common vessel;
• measuring biochemical activity of the linked molecules within the common vessel;
• and
• before, during or after measuring biochemical activity, exposing the identifier tags with linked molecules to the plurality of light sources and detecting the combinations of optically-encoded bits, wherein each of the plurality of identifier tags has different encoded data in its combination of optically-encoded bits so that when the plurality of identifier tags is placed into the common vessel, the molecule associated with each identifier tag has a unique identity associated therewith.

A multiplexed assay, comprising:

• linking each of the molecules to a one of a plurality of support matrix particles, each support matrix particle comprising a substrate adapted for attachment of a molecule and further comprising an integrally-formed optically-encoded identifier comprising a unique combination of wavelength-specific bits adapted to be read by illuminating the optically-encoded identifier with a plurality of light sources, each light source emitting light at a discrete optical wavelength corresponding to a wavelength-specific bit of the combination;
• exposing the support matrix particles and their linked molecules to one or more processing steps in suspension to produce a plurality of processed molecules, wherein at least one of the one or more processing steps comprises attaching a detectable label for measuring biochemical activity within each processed molecule;
• placing the plurality of support matrix particles with the linked molecules into a common vessel;
• measuring biochemical activity of the linked molecules within the common vessel;
• and
• before, during or after measuring biochemical activity, exposing the optically-encoded identifiers to the plurality of light sources and detecting the combinations of wavelength-specific bits, wherein each of the optically-encoded identifiers has different encoded data in its combination of wavelength-specific bits so that when the plurality of support matrix particles is placed into the common vessel, the molecule associated with the support matrix particle has a unique identity associated therewith, and wherein the measured biochemical activity is associated with the support matrix particle and, hence, with the processed molecule that is linked to the support matrix particle.