GB2435473A

GB2435473A - Biochip based on unmodified polymer material

Info

Publication number: GB2435473A
Application number: GB0703380A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Olga Georgievna Somova; Olga Vladimirovna Moiseeva; Viktor Evgenievich Barsky
Original assignee: INST MOLEKULYARNOI BIOLOG IM V
Current assignee: INST MOLEKULYARNOI BIOLOG IM V
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2007-02-21
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-21
Also published as: RU2309959C1; GB0703380D0; KR20070085146A; FR2897688A1; DE102007008499A1; DE102007008499B4; GB2435473B; FR2897688B1; FR2903120B1; FR2903120A1

Abstract

Use of an unmodified polymer for manufacturing a biochip carrier for carrying hydrogels immobilised on its surface, wherein the polymer is selected from ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS+PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS+PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmerhacrylare), ABS+PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinyichioride), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3-T), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyaxnide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephihalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinyichloride) and their mixtures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a biochip, comprising a gel layer immobilised on the surface of a biochip carrier, the cater comprising the polymer; and a method for manufacturing a gel biochip, comprising immobilisation of a hydrogel over a carrier made from the polymer.

Description

A METHOD FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF HYDROGELS OVER UNMOD[FIED POLYMER

MATERIALS, A BIOCHIP BASED ON UNMODIFIED POLYMER MATERIALS,

AND A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF

Field of Invention

The invention relates to the field of molecular biology and bio-organic chemistry and deals with use of polymer materials that may be used without preliminary chemical modification for manufacturing a biochip with get-immobilized oligornicleotides, proteins, nucleic.acids, or any other biologically active compounds. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing gel-like biochips used in molecular biology while sequencing and mapping DNA, detecting mutations, as well as in numerous medical applications.

Background of Invention

At present, the carriers used for manufacturing biochips are made of glass (ceramics), metals, and polymer materials. Prior to the biochips' manufacture, the glass, metal, and for the most part polymers are chemically modified to form on the surface thereof some active groups that are capable of binding biologically active compounds. Preferred options include providing the surface with carboxy [1], amino, mercapto [21, aldehyde [31, isocyanate [41, methacrylic [5), and/or other groups. lii a number of cases the immobilization of biologically active compounds over nylon membranes (41 and over polystyrene [6) has been achieved without additional modification.

[1] Nathalie Zammatteo, Laurent Jeanmart, Sandrine Hamels, Stephane Courtois, Pierre Louette, Laslo Hevesi, Jose Remade, Analytical Biochemistry, 2000, 280, P.143-150.

[2] Celine Adessi, Glues Matton, Guidon Ayala, Gerardo Turcatti, Jean-Jacques Mermod, Pascal Mayer, Eric Kawashima, Nucleic Acids Research, 2000, V.28, N20, e87.

[31 Edward N. Timofeev, Svetlana V. Kochetkova, Andrei D. Mirzabekov, Vladimir L. Florentiev, Nucleic Acids Research, 1996, V.24, N16, P.3142-3148.

[4] Markus Beier, Jorg D. Hoheisel, Nucleic Acids Research, 1999, V.27, N9, P.1970-1977.

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[5] Anil Kumar, Zicai Liang, Nucleic Acids Research, 2001, V.29, N2, e2.

[6] Farah N. Rehman, Mark Audeh, Ezra S. Abrams, Philip W. Hammond, Mary Kenney, T. Christian Boles, Nucleic Acids Research, 1999, V.27, [42, P.649-655.

Methods for manufacturing biochips on the basis of hydrogels are known, wherein the process cycle consists of the following stages: (1) chemically modifying the glass carrier, (2) forming thereon a matrix of gel cells, (3) applying biological macromolecule solutions on the cells in accordance with the predetermined biochip circuitry, (4) chemically activating the cells to immobilize the molecule-probes. and (5) wash-cleaning and drying the biochips thereby obtained. In order for the matrix of gel cells to be formed, a method for laser ablation of a specific light-absorbing layer underlying the continuous gel layer and having a geometry that is complementary relative to the defmed cell array geometry is known [7].

[7) Ershov et a!., US Patent No. 5770721 Also known are methods for preparing biochips on the basis of a gel, wherein the cell array forming stage and the molecule-probe immobilizing stage are combined into a single stage at the expense of using a photo-or chemically induced copolymenzation technique [8, 9).

[8] Vasiliskov A.V. et. al.. BioTechniques, 1999, V.27. P. 592-606.

[9] RU22 16547 C2.

The essence of these methods consists in using those compositions which, along with a monomer and a cross-linking agent, comprise immobilizable macromolecules, supplied with an active group that provides for insertion of those molecules into a hydrogel polymer network.

Materials used at present time for manufacturing biochip carriers, as well as the methods for manufacturing biochips based thereon, have a number of fundamental disadvantages.

The principal disadvantages of glass carriers may include the following: Insufficient chemical homogeneity of the glass surface.

This glass property, upon chemical modification, results in the formation of a surface which consists of sections with different hydrophobic (hydrophilic) qualities and that highly affects the reproducibility of biochip physical properties, including the volume and shape of the cells as well as their mutual disposition.

* Relative complexity in processing a glass and in manufacturing biochips with a predetermined surface configuration.

* Insufficient mechanical strength.

* Comparatively high cost of a carrier with the required surface quality.

* Mandatory chemical treatment of the glass surface for effective immobilization of biologically active molecules.

The principal disadvantages of polymer materials currently used for manufacturing carriers may include the following: * The polymer surface requires preliminary chemical modification.

* The porous structure of the nylon filters, as currently in use, imposes restrictions of the number of biochip elements based on the surface unit.

* The gel biochip elements, as manufactured over polystyrene without prior chemical modification of its surface, are loosely attached to the surface, and when subjected to washing and hybridization they are often destroyed.

At present, all known methods for manufacturing gel biochips are based on using a chemically modified glass as a carrier, involving all its drawbacks in terms of productivity of manufacture as well as gel biochip quality.

Summary of the Invention

The first aspect of the present invention provides the use of unmodified polymer materials, used without preliminary modification, for manufacturing a biochip carrier, which is intended for hydrogels to be immobilized on its surface. Hydrogel immobilization on the carrier surface is effected at the time of its formation by a polymerization method.

For manufacturing a biochip carrier, polymer materials, being used without any preliminary modification, can be selected from the following materials: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS+PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS + PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS-s-PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinylchlonde), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene, and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3- 1), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC-i-PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinylchloride) and/or mixtures thereof..

The invention also provides use of polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof in combination with fillers. Inorganic filling agents, such as asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc, can be used as fillers.

The second aspect of the present invention provides a biochip, manufactured over the carrier selected from the above listed unmodified polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof, with a gel layer immobilized on the carrier surface. The specified polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof also can be used in combination with fillers. Inorganic filling agents, including an asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc, can be used as fillers. Gel, immobilized on the polymer carrier, can also be arranged in the form of cells separated from one another. These cells may also constitute a regular one-dimensional or two-dimensional structure (array).

The gel cells may include immobilized biologically active compounds, and then various biologically active compounds can be immobilized within different gel cells. Each gel cell of a biochip may in addition include immobilized fluorescent colorant, for example, Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY. Immobilization of the compounds is effected at the time of gel formation under thermally, chemically, and photochemically initiated polymerization.

The third aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing gel biochips, the method comprising immobilization of hydrogels upon the carrier made from the listed above unmodified polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof. The specified polymer materials and/or

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mixtures thereof can be also used in combination with fillers. Inorganic filling agents, including an asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc, can be used as fillers.

Thermally-, chemically-, or photo-initiated polymerization can be used for forming a gel. In case of photo-initiated polymerization, there can be used a photo-initiated polymerization generated by light in the ultraviolet or visible regions of spectrum.

For gel formation, there can be used compositions comprising a monomer, a cross-linking agent, and a solvent, which compositions may in addition contain an im.mobilizable biologically active compound and/or a fluorescent colorant, for example, Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY. In addition, the specified compositions may also contain a polymerization initiator or promotor.

For gel formation there also can be used compositions, comprising a reactive oligomer and a solvent. Specified composition may in addition contain an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or a fluorescent colorant, for example, Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY. In one of embodiments, the specified reactive oligomer additionally may also include in its structure a biologically active compound. In addition, specified compositions may also contain a polymerization initiator or promotor.

For effecting a transfer of specified compositions onto the polymer carrier there can be used a microdispenser, for example, a rod-like (needle), pen-type, or jet-type microdispenser.

Carriers with accommodated microdrops of compositions can be placed into a hermetic container having an oxygen-free atmosphere. The oxygen-free atmosphere can be created using nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide gas.

Inunobilization of the biologically active compounds in gel is effected at the time of hydrogel formation.

Carriers made of the polymer materials are not subjected to any chemical modification prior to biochip manufacturing.

After polymerization, the biochips can be washed off in buffer solutions and then in distilled water.

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The quality of biochips obtained can be controlled by the diameters of the biochip eLements and/or by fluorescent signal of the colorant being immobilized in each gel cell of the biochip.

The fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for immobilization of hydrogels over carriers made of the above listed unmodified polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof, the polymer materials being used without preliminary chemical modification. Specified polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof can be also used in combination with fillers. Inorganic filling agents, including asbestos, fiberglass. and/or talc, can be used as fillers.

For gel formation there can be used a thermally-, chemically-, or photo-initiated polymerization.

In case of a photo-initiated polymerization, there can be used photo-initiated polymerization generated by light in the ultraviolet or visible regions of spectrum.

Carners made of polymer materials would not undergo any chemical modification of their surface.

For gel formation, there can be used compositions, comprising a monomer, a cross-linking agent, and a solvent, which compositions may in addition contain an imniobilizable biologically active compound and/or a fluorescent colorant, for example, Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY. The specified compositions may in addition also contain a polymerization initiator or promotor.

For gel formation, there also can be used compositions, comprising a reactive oligomer and a solvent. Specified composition may in addition contain an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or a fluorescent colorant, for example, Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY. In one of the invention embodiments the specified reactive oligomer may in addition also include in its structure a biologically active compound. In addition the specified compositions may also contain a polymerization initiator or promotor.

Hydrogels can be generated over polymer carriers in the form of continuous layer of various thickness and configuration. The hydrogels can be also arranged over polymer carriers in the form of gel cells separated from one another.

After transferring specified compositions onto the polymer carrier, the latter can be placed into a hermetic container having an oxygen-free atmosphere. The oxygen-free atmosphere can be created using nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide gas.

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After polymerization, the formed gel can be washed off in buffer solutions and then in distilled water.

Description of the Drawings

In the following figures: Figure 1 shows photographs of biochips as produced on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) under (A, D) thermo-, (B, ) chemically-, and (C, F) photo-initiated polymerization.

Compositions, set Out in Example 1, were dispensed in drops onto a PMMA-plate, which was not subjected to any preliminary modification, then UV-irradiated (A. = 350 nm). The PMMA-plates with immobilized gel elements were washed off in a buffer solution, in water, and then dried. For controlling the quality of biochip elements, the biochip image in transmitted light (A, B, C) and in fluorescent light (D, E, F) was registered.

Figure 2 shows the results of hybridization of an oligonucleotide, labeled with a fluorescent colorant, with an oligonucleotide biochip, as manufactured on various polymer carriers and glass.

Oligonucleotides 5'-AATTGGCTCAcCTGGCT-OCH2CH(CH2OH)(CH2)4-NH2 (A) and 5'-AATFGGCTCGGCTGGCT-OCH2CH(CFI2OH)(CH2)4-NH2 (B) were immobilized in a hydrogel in accordance with Example 1-I on carriers made of different polymer materials: PMMA (1); PETP (2); PA6 (3); ABS (4); ABS+PBT (5); ACS (6); COC (7); MABS (8); PETG (9); ABS+PA (10); PPA (11); PVC (12); ABS+PMMA (13); PBT+PC (14); ABS+PC (15); ABS+PVC (16); PBT (17); PC+PET (18); PC PMMA (19); glass (20). In accordance with Example 2 the obtained biochips were hybridized with an oligonucleotide labeled with the fluorescent colorant 3'-TTAACCGAGTCGACCGA-Cy5. After hybridization the largest fluorescent signal was observed in those cells of a biochip which contained the immobilized oligonucleotide A, this being fully complementary with the fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide.

Detailed description

In this invention it is suggested to use a number of well-known and commercially available polymer materials without preliminary modification for manufacturing carriers of gel biochips.

The polymer materials are preferably selected from the following materials:

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ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS+PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and poLybutylene terephthalate), ABS+ PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinylchloride), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MARS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3- 1), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12). PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinylchloride) and/or mixtures thereof.

The polymer materials and/or mixtures thereof can be also used in combination with fillers.

Inorganic filling agents, such as asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc, can be used as fillers.

The polymer materials, used without their preliminary modification, are intended for manufacturing a carrier for hydrogels chemically immobilized on the carrier surface at the time of their formation by polymerization, which is preferably induced thermally, chemically, and photochemically. Certain carriers are intended for manufacturing biochips containing biologically active compounds immobilized in a gel.

A biochip is a gel layer formed over the polymer carrier and arranged in the form of cells separated from one another, with each cell being able to contain or not to contain the immobilized biologically active compounds, and, concurrently, the biologically active compounds immobilized in different cells may vary in their nature and properties. The cells may constitute a regular one-dimensional or two-dimensional structure (array). Application of compositions with bioLogically active compounds onto the carrier can be carried out by various means, including the use of an automatic device (e.g. a robot) fitted with one or more microdispensers of a jet or rod/needle type.

Immobilization of oligonucleotides, proteins, nucleic acids and/or other biologically active compounds in a gel can be effected: at the time of gel formation via thermally-, chemically-and/or photo-chemically initiated polymerization; * after gel formation over the polymer carrier.

Within their structure, biologically active compounds can bear an active (for immobilization) group, including: amino, sulthydric, methacrylamide, acrylamide, acrylate, methacryLate, hydrazide groups, etc., or can be used in their native form, without preliminary modification.

In addition to the immobilized biologically active compound, each gel cell of a biochip may contain an immobilized fluorescent colorant used for controlling the biochip quality and for interpreting results of hybridization on the chip.

A preferred method for manufacturing gel biochips provided over polymer carriers comprises the following steps: * preparation of compositions for forming the gel; * transfer of compositions Onto the carrier; * polymerization of compositions in an oxygen-free atmosphere; * washing/cleaning the biochip; * controlling the quality of the biochip elements.

While preparing compositions, to form a homogeneous solution, it is preferred that all the components are thoroughly mixed and degassecL The compositions may comprise the following components: * monomer, constituting the basis of the gel being formed, and representing an unsaturated compound; ssuitable monomers include acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylj acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethylniethacrylate, methyl methacrylate, or a different monomer, [0 containing multiple bonds, with at least one multiple bond having to be reactive in polymerization; * cross-linking agent representing an unsaturated compound having two and more multiple bonds; suitable cross-linking agents include N,N'-methylenebisacrylarnide, N,N'-methylenebismetacrylamide, N,N-(l,2-dthydroxyethylene)bisacrylamide, polyethyleneglycoldiacrylate taken alone or in a mixture, or a different symmetric or asymmetric cross-linking agent having two or more multiple bonds active in polymerization reactions; * immobilizakie biologically active compound (an optional component); suitable biologically active compounds include oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, proteins, or a different significant compouiid; * fluorescent colorant (an optional component) suitable fluorescent colorants include Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy5, Cy3, BODIPY and other fluorescent colorants.

* solvent suitable solvents include water, glycerol, N,N-dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, different polar and nonpolar solvents, aqueous buffer solutions, glycerol solutions, saccharose solutions, polyalcohol solutions, salt and non-salt solutions of polar and nonpolar solvents; * initiator or promotor of polymerization (optional component) suitable initiators or promotors include compounds contributing to photo-or chemical initiation of polymerization and soluble in water or organic media, such as, amrnonium persulfate, potassium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, azoisobutyronitrile (AEBN), ferrous iron salts, methylene blue, fluoresceine, N,N. N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine, triethylamirie, acetone, or a different initiator of polymerization being photo-chemically or chemically induced; When preparing compositions, instead of a monomer andior cross-linking agent reactive oligomers can be used containing or not containing in their structure biologically active compounds.

When conducting thermally-or photo-initiated polymerization, an initiator or promotor of polymerization may also be missing.

For effecting a transfer of compositions onto the polymer carrier, robots with microdispensers of various types can be used, including those furnished with microdispensers of a rod-like (needle) type, pen-type, and/or jet-type.

For conducting polymerization, the carriers with microdrops of compositions ai:e preferably placed within a hermetic container having an oxygen-free atmosphere (nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide gas, etc.).

Thermally initiated polymerization within solution microdrops can be carried out under oxygen-free atmosphere at T=60-80 C.

For conducting chemically initiated polymerization within solution microdrops, the latter can be held under oxygen-free atmosphere at T=60-80 C, depending upon a selected initiator.

Photo-initiated polymerization process can be effected by UV-irradiation with)L = 312 mn.

The obtained biochips are preferably washed first in buffer solutions, and then in distilled water, prior to being used.

The quality of obtained biochips can be determined by a relative error in diameters of biochip elements or volumes thereof. The volume of biochip elements is proportional to the fluorescent signal of any colorant immobilized within each gel cell of a biochip.

A method for immobilization of hydrogels over polymer carriers at the time of hydrogel formation assumes that covalent bonds are generated between the macromolecules of polymer carriers and the hydrogels, the covalent bonds being generated on the surface of the polymer carrier at the time of gel formation under thermally, chemically, and/or photochemically initiated polymerization.

The covalent bonds between the polymer carrier and the hydrogel are preferably generated via one of the following possible routes: a) Involvement of multiple bonds, existent in the structure of the carrier polymer molecules, in a copolymerizarion reaction with the monomers which form a hydrogel in the hydrogel polymerization reaction.

b) Involvement of fragments of the carrier polymer molecules in chain transfer reactions at the time of gel formation under initiated polymerization.

c) Modification of a carrier polymer surface with bifunctional reagents, which bifunctional reagents carry in their structure an unsaturated fragment and constitute a part of the compositions for forming the hydrogel.

Under route a) polymers and compositions based thereon can be used as are obtained by radical polymerization methods, such as: ABS, ABS PVC, PC+PMMA, ACS, COC, MABS, PMMA, PVC. This is due to the nature of the radical polymerization reaction whereby in the polymers obtained, at the step of chain termination, there proceeds a process of formation of terminal multiple bonds via intermolecular disproportionatioff [10].

[10] A. M. Shur, High-molecular compounds. M.: The Higher School Publishing House, 1981, p. 100-104 (in Russian).

Under route a) polymers and compositions based thereon can also be used as are obtained by polycondensation methods, such as: PBT, PBT+PC, PC+PET, PET or PETP, PETG. The formation of terminal multiple bonds in macromolecules of these polymers is stipulated by the intramolecular dehydration processes proceeding with involvement of alcohol groups under the conditions of polymer production [11].

[11) Yu.S. Shabarov, Organic chemistry VI M.: Chemistry, 1996, p. 193-203 (in Russian).

Under route b) all of the polymer materials specified in [12] can be used, although the conditions of running the reaction are strongly dependent upon the polymer nature and structure.

([12] A. M. Shur, High-molecular compounds, M.: The Higher School Publishing House, 1981, p. 104-113 (in Russian).

Polycondensation polymers containing terrmnal amino-groups, such as: ABS+PA, PA6, PA6-3-T, PAll, PA12, PA46, PA66, PA61O, PA612, PPA can be used under route c). The necessary condition is the presence of bifunctional derivatives which are active in nucleophilic addition or displacement reactions, for example N,N-methylenebisacrylamide [13] or the t4-hydroxysuccinamide ester of 6-methacryloylaminohexane acid, respectively, in the composition intended for generating a hydrogeL.

[13] General organic chemistry, V.3, Nitrogen-containing compounds, under the editorship of N.K. Kochetkov, M: Chemistry, 1982, p. 61-62 (in Russian).

The concept of the invention is further described below with reference to individual exemplary embodiments, which shall not be considered by the examiner as limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

As it is seen from Fig. 2 the biochips manufactured over various polymer carriers function under hybridization in the same way as biochips manufactured over glass carriers, as are commonly used for manufacturing a biochip, the hybridization results being not substantially affected by the nature of the polymer material surface.

Since the nature of a polymer carrier does not affect the gel properties, it is clear that biologically active compounds different from oligonucleotides, such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc., also capable of being immobilized in gel, can also be immobilized according to the present invention and, moreover, that they would not lose their properties when immobilized in a gel over the polymer carrier.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, solely by way of example. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set out below.

Examples

Example 1. Manufacturing a biochip over polymer carrier with oligonucleotides immobilized in a gel I. Photoinitiated polymerization To a mixture of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (m=0.030 g), N.N'-methylenebisacrylamide (m=O.007 g), and 2-acryloyloxyethylmethacrylate (m=O.003 g) there is added a solution of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine in deionized water (V=2 10 M1. 1:1) containing a Texas Red colorant (n=40 nmole), which is mixed till complete dissolution of components, after which glycerol (V=650 il) is added thereto. A soLution of oligonucleotide in water (v=100 j.tl, C=2 nmoleI.&l) is added into the resultant solution. The mixture is subjected to thorough blending. The composition is applied onto a polymer carrier using the "QArray"

robot ("Genetix", UK).

The obtained droplet array is irradiated with UV-light (?.=350 nm, t=60 mm, 1=55 C) in an atmosphere of dry argon, washed in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, t=15 mm, T=30 C) and then in water (t=15 mm, T=60 C) and dried in air (T=25 C) under a dust-free atmosphere. Using special equipment fitted with a charge-coupled device camera (CCD-camera) and a computer, photographs of biochips are obtained in transmitted visible light (C) and fluorescent light. The quality of biochip's elements is determined by using special software based on relative error in diameters or fluorescent signals of all elements of the biochip. Fig. 1 (C, F) shows photographs of biochip as obtained using the present procedure on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in the transmitted light and fluorescent light.

II. Thermally initiated polymerization To a mixture of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (m=0.075 g), N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (m=0.0175 g) and 2-acryloyloxyethylmethacrylate (m=O.0075 g) there is added a solution of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine in deionized water (V=200 p1, 1:1) containing a Texas Red colorant (n=40 nmole), which is mixed till complete dissolution of components, following which glycerol (V=600 p1) is added. A solution of oligonucleotide in water (v=100 p1, C=2 nmole /iil) is added into the resultant solution. The mixture is subjected to thorough intermixing.

The composition is applied onto a polymer carrier using the "QArray" robot ("Genetix", UK).

The obtained droplet array is held at a temperature of 80 C for 60 minutes in an atmosphere of dry argon, washed in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, t=15 mm, T=30 C) and then in water (t=15 mm, T=60 C) and dried in air (T=25 C) under a dust-free atmosphere. Using special equipment fitted with a CCD-camera (charge-coupled device) and a computer, photographs of the biochip in transmitted visible light and fluorescent light are obtained. The quality of biochip's elements is determined by using special software based on relative error in diameters or fluorescent signals of all elements of the biochip. Fig. 1 (A, D) shows photographs of biochips as obtained using the present procedure on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in the transmitted light and fluorescent light.

IlL Chemically initiated polymerization To a mixture of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (m=O.075 g), N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (m=0.0175 g) and 2-acryloyloxyethylmethacrylate (m=0.0075 g) there is added a phosphate buffer solution (pH 11.6, C=0.05 M, V=190 1.il) containing a Texas Red colorant (n-40 nmole) and ammonium persulfate (m=0.OlO g), which is mixed till complete dissolution of the components, following which glycerol (V=600 zl) is added. A solution of oligonucleotide in water (v=100 j.i I, C=2 nmole /i 1) is added to the resultant solution. The mixture is subjected to thorough intermixing. The composition is applied onto a polymer carrier using the "QArray" robot ("Genetix", UK). The obtained droplet array is placed within a hermetic chamber saturated with N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine vapors in an atmosphere of argon and held at a temperature of 80 C for 60 minutes, washed in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, tl5 mm, T30 C) and then in water (t=15 mm, T=60 C) and dried in air (T=25 C) under a dust-free atmosphere. Using special equipment fitted with a CCD-caniera (charge-coupled device) and a computer, photographs of the biochip in transmitted visible light and fluorescent light are obtained. The quality of biochip's elements is determined by using special software based on relative error in diameters or fluorescent signals of all the biochip's elements. Fig. 1 (B, E) shows photographs of biochips as obtained using the present procedure on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in the transmitted visible light and fluorescent light.

As follows from the results shown in Fig. 1, thermally-, chemically-, and photo-initiated polymerizations provide an identical degree of hydrogel immobilization over the carrier, or in other words provide the same quality of biochips.

Example 2. Hybridization on oligonucleotide biochips A solution (1M NaC1, liM EDTA, 1% Tween 20, 5mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, V=35 gil) containing a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide (C=lOmM) is hybridized (r =12 h, T=37 C) with a oligonucleotide biochip as manufactured according to Example 1-1. The biochip is washed with a hybridization solution that does not contain the fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide and dried. Fluorescent signal is registered using a fluorescent microscope fitted with a CCD-camera and a computer. The hybridization results are shown in Fig. 2.

As follows from results shown in Fig. 2, the strongest fluorescent signal after hybridization is observed in those biochip cells which contain the immobilized oligonucleotide A, which is fully complementary to the fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide, there being no dependence upon the nature of polymer material used to make the carrier.

Industrial applicability

A method for manufacturing a biochip according to the present invention is intended for manufacture of biochips.

B lochips according to the present invention * can be used as self-contained articles for conducting scientific research to study various interactions of biologically active compounds including: oligonucleótide-oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide-nucleic acid, protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, etc. * can be used in different medical diagnostic tests to rapidly detect and identify a causative agent (vector) and/or a disease.

A method for immobilization of hydrogels over polymer carriers * can be used for manufacturing a biochip of various applications; * can be used for manufacturing polymer articles of various applications the surface of which needs to be covered with a layer of hydrogel, for example, different electrodes and sensors, the working surface whereof is covered with hydrogel having an immobilized biologically active compound.

Claims

Claims 1. Use of a polymer material for manufacturing a biochip carrier

intended for carrying hydrogels immobilized on its surface, wherein the polymer material is selected from: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS + PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS+PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinylchloride), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene, and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmerhacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3-T), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66). PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETO (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinytchioride) and mixtures thereof.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material is used in combination with fillers.

3. Use according to claim 2, wherein the fillers are inorganic filling agents, selected from asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc.

4. Use according to any preceding claim, wherein hydrogel immobilization on the carrier surface is effected at the time of the hydrogel's formation by polymerization.

5. A biochip comprising a gel layer immobilized on the surface of a biochip carrier, the carrier comprising a polymer material selected from: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS + PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS+PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinylchloride), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3-T), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+ PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalarnide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinyichioride) and mixtures thereof.

6. A biochip according to claim 5, wherein the polymer materialis used in combination with fillers.

7. A biochip according to claim 6, wherein the filers are inorganic filling agents, selected from asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc.

8. A biochip according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the gel layer formed on the polymer carrier is arranged in the form of cells separated from one another.

9. A biochip according to claim 8, wherein the cells form a regular one-dimensional or two-dimensional structure (array).

10. A biochip according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the gel cells in addition contain immobilized biologically active compounds and/or immobilized fluorescent colorants.

11. A biochip according to claim 10, wherein different biologically active compounds are immobilized within different gel cells.

12. A biochip according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the immobilized fluorescent colorant is selected from Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODEPY.

13. A biochip according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the immobilization of biologically active compounds in gel is effected at the time of gel formation under thermally, chemically, and/or photochemically initiated polymerization.

14. A method for manufacturing a gel biochip, comprising immobilization of a hydrogel over a carrier made from a polymer material, wherein the polymer material is selected from: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer). ABS+PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS+PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS +PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinyichioride), ACS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene, and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3-T), PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (polyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinylchloride) and/or mixtures thereof.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the polymer material is used without preLiminary chemical modification.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the polymer material is used in combination with fillers.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the fillers are inorganic filling agents, selected from asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc.

18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein thermally initiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein chemically initiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein photoinitiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the photoinitiated polymerization uses the ultraviolet or visible regions of the spectrum.

22. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein compositions comprising a monomer, cross-linking agent, and solvent are used to form the gel.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said compositions further comprise an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or immobilizable fluorescent colorant and/or initiator or promotor of polymerization.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the immobilized fluorescent colorant is selected from Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY.

25. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein compositions comprising a reactive oligomer and solvent are used to form the gel.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said compositions further comprise an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or immobilizable fluorescent colorant and/or initiator or promotor of polymerization.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the immobilized fluorescent colorant is selected from Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY.

28. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the structure of said reactive oligomer comprises a biologically active compound.

29. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein a microdispenser is used for transferring said compositions onto the polymer carrier.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said microdispenser is a rod-(needle-), pen-or jet-type microdispenser.

31. A method according to claim 29 ot 30, wherein the carriers with the microdrops of transferred compositions are placed within a hermetic container with an oxygen-free atmosphere.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said oxygen-free atmosphere is created using nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide gas.

33. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 32, wherein immobilization of biologically active compounds in the gel is effected at the time of hydrogel formation.

34. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 33, wherein the carrier is not subjected to any chemical modification prior the biochip being manufactured.

35. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 34. wherein after polymerization the biochips are washed sequentially in buffer solutions, and then in distilled water.

36. A method according to any of claims 14-35, wherein the quality of obtained biochips is controlled based on the diameter of the biochip elements.

37. A method according to any of claims 14-35, wherein the quality of obtained biochips is controlled based on the fluorescent signal of a colorant immobilized in each gel cell of the biochip.

38. A method for immobilization of hydrogels over a carrier comprising a polymer material selected from: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ABS+PA (a mixture of ABS and polyamide), ABS PBT (a mixture of ABS and polybutylene terephthalate), ABS + PC (a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate), ABS+PMMA (a mixture of ABS and polymethylmethacrylate), ABS+PVC (a mixture of ABS and polyvinylchloride), ACS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, chlorinated ethylene, and styrene), COC (copolymers of cycloolefins), MABS (copolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), PA 6 (polyamide 6), PA6-3-T (polyamide 6-3-T). PA 11 (polyamide 11), PA 12 (polyamide 12), PA 46 (polyamide 46), PA 66 (potyamide 66), PA 610 (polyamide 610), PA 612 (polyamide 612), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBT+PC (a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate), PC+PET (a mixture of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate), PC+PMMA (a mixture of polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate), PET or PETP (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PPA (polyphthalamide, high-temperature polyamide), PVC (polyvinyichloride) and mixtures thereof; wherein the polymer material is used without preliminary chemical modification.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the polymer material is used in combination with fillers.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the fillers are inorganic filling agents, selected from asbestos, fiberglass, and/or talc.

41. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein thermally initiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

42. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein chemically initiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

43. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein photoinitiated polymerization is used to form the gel.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the photoinitiated polymerization is performed in the ultraviolet or visible regions of the spectrum.

45. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 44, wherein the surface of the carrier is not subjected to chemical modification.

46. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 45, wherein a composition comprising monomer, cross-linking agent, and solvent is used to form the gel.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein said composition further comprises an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or immobilizable fluorescent colorant and/or initiator or promotor of polymerization.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said immobilized fluorescent colorant is selected from Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY.

49. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 45, wherein a composition comprising a reactive oligomer and a solvent is used to form the gel.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein said composition further comprises an immobilizable biologically active compound and/or immobilizable fluorescent colorant and/or initiator or promotor of polymerization.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein said immobilized fluorescent colorant is selected from Texas Red, Fluorescein, Cy 5, Cy 3, BODIPY.

52. A method according to any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein said reactive oligomer contains in its structure a biologically active compound.

53. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 52, wherein the hydrogel is created over the carrier in the form of a continuous layer of varying thickness and configuration.

54. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 52, wherein the hydrogel is arranged over the carrier in the form of ceLls separated from one another.

55. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 54, wherein, after transfer of a hydrogel forming composition onto the carrier, the carrier is placed into a hermetic container with an oxygen-free atmosphere.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the oxygen-free atmosphere is created using nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide gas.

57. A method according to any of claims 38 to 56, wherein after polymerization the formed gel is washed sequentially in buffer solutions, and then in distilled water.