APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING AND ANALYZING BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANOUS OBJECTS

摘要

Apparatus for positioning a cell or other biological membranous object within a confined compatible fluid compartment of fixed geometry has a surface that has a first zone repulsive to the fluid enclosing a second zone that is attractive to the fluid. The first zone controls the geometry and position of the fluid compartment on the second zone. The second zone has an area of less than about 500 mu m<2>. A method for positioning a membranous object in the second zone on the carrier is also provided. The membranous object is first immersed into the liquid in a volume of no greater than about 100 nl. The liquid having the object immersed therein is loaded onto the surface so that the fluid is restricted to the second zone and the object comes into contact with the second zone.