LOW VOLUME CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL REACTION SYSTEM

摘要

An automated system utilizes an array of nanoscale capillary-dimension reaction chambers (12). The ends of the chambers are temporarily sealed with deformable membranes (264a, 264b) and the reactions effected by incubation o r temperature cycling. The reaction containers may be filled by capillary acti on and dispensed by air displacement, centrifugal force or other means. Reactio n mixtures may be assembled by using the reaction chambers (12) to meter reaction components that are combined on a substrate. Alternatively, a first reaction component may be immobilized on the interior surface of the reactio n container and a second mixture component pumped of drawn into the container to form a final reaction mixture.