Robust DNA Biochip Surfaces

描述(申请人提供)：自从发明微阵列生物芯片以来，它们已经成为基因表达、高通量筛选和药物发现的工具。然而，目前基于玻璃的生物芯片在化学上不稳定，无法承受需要多次循环、高温或高pH的应用。需要这些挑战性条件的应用，如芯片上并行DNA测序，一直无法从生物芯片的优势中受益，因为目前底物和表面化学的固有限制。Gentel的科学家已经开发出专利化学，使用紫外线介导的烯烃附着到玻碳和钻石表面。这种创新的化学将扩大生物芯片的适用性，使其适用于这些要求苛刻的应用。钻石和碳衬底可以以惊人的价格获得，并具有强大的C-C键，这些键在化学和物理上都非常坚固。将这些新型底物和表面化学成功应用于芯片测序模型系统，将证明它们有能力用于目前现有生物芯片无法进入的领域。第一阶段提案的具体目标是确定为DNA微阵列应用创造更耐用和更坚固的碳衬底的技术优势和可行性，这些衬底可以承受极端的热或化学条件。接下来的第二阶段项目将为对芯片上并行DNA测序、基因分型和生物合成感兴趣的研究人员开发这些表面的原型。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Since microarray biochips were invented, they have become instrumental in gene expression, high throughput screening, and drug discovery. Current glass-based biochips, however, are chemically unstable and are unable to withstand applications requiring multiple cycles, high temperature, or high pH. Applications requiring these challenging conditions, such as on-chip parallel DNA sequencing have been unable to benefit from the advantages of biochips, because the inherent limitations of the current substrates and surface chemistry. GenTel scientists have developed proprietary chemistry that uses the UV mediated attachment of alkenes to glassy carbon and diamond surfaces. This innovative chemistry will expand the applicability of biochips to these demanding applications. Diamond and carbon substrates can be obtained surprisingly cheaply and possess strong C-C bonds that are exceptionally rugged, both chemically and physically. The successful application of these novel substrates and surface chemistry to a model on-chip sequencing system will demonstrate their ability to be used in areas previously inaccessible by currently available biochips. The specific goal of the Phase I proposal is to establish the technical merit and feasibility of creating more durable and robust carbon substrates that can withstand extreme thermal or chemical conditions for DNA microarray applications. A following Phase II project will develop prototypes of these surfaces to researchers interested in on-chip parallel DNA sequencing, genotyping, and biosynthesis.