Support for analyte determination methods and method for producing the support

Abstract

A method for producing a support for determining analytes. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a support comprising at least one channel, comprising a conduit having an intake and an outlet for passing fluid from the intake to the outlet, in the support body, (b) passing liquid with building blocks for synthesizing polymeric receptors through the channel or channels of the support body, (c) site- and / or time-specifically immobilizing the receptor building blocks in each case on predetermined positions in the channel or channels by illumination and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the required receptors have been synthesized in each case on the predetermined positions.

Description

1 AREA OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION[0001] 1.1 Background[0002] The precise detection of biologically relevant molecules in defined investigation material is of outstanding importance for basic research in the biosciences and for medical diagnostics, and some other disciplines. In this connection, the genetic information is present in the form of an enormous variety of different nucleic acid sequences, the DNA. Realization of this information leads via the production of transcripts of the DNA in RNA usually to the synthesis of proteins, which in turn are frequently involved in biochemical reactions.[0003] The detection of particular nucleic acids and the determination of the sequence of the four bases in the chain of nucleotides, which is generally referred to as sequencing, provides valuable data for research and applied medicine. In medicine, it has been possible to a greatly increasing extent to develop, through in vitro diagnosis (IVD) instruments for determining important par...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a direct logical linkage is provided between the results of the analysis of a first support and the synthesis of the support which is to be subsequently produced, thereby making it possible to transfer the information gained in a preceding cycle to a subsequent cycle. In this way there is stepwise development of learning of the analytical system.

[0167] The reading of the light signals for the detection reactions in the support array is to take place in a detection unit where the excitation light source (fluorescence, luminescence or absorption as optical detection) is arranged directly opposite to the CCD chip for light signal measurement. The support array is located between light source and detection chip (sandwich architecture). An illumination matrix can be used as excitation light source. The spatial arrangement of this unit may depend on requirements (for example use of gravitation for flow processes in the chip). This maximally compact architecture minimizes the paths traveled by the light and thus also the intensity of light required. It is intended to dispense with the use of an elaborate, light-consuming and costly optical system which occupies much space, both on the excitation side and on the detection side.

Problems solved by technology

Production takes several hours due to the large number of process steps.

Images