Provided are
protein microarrays, their manufacture, use, and application.
Protein microarrays in accordance with the present invention are useful in a variety preoteomic analyses. Various
protein arrays in accordance with the present invention may immobilize large arrays of proteins that may be useful for studying
protein-protein interactions to improve understanding of
disease processes, facilitating
drug discovery, or for identifying potential antigens for vaccine development. The protein array elements of the invention are native or modified proteins (e.g., antibodies or fusion proteins). The protein array elements may be attached directly to a organic functionalized mirrored substrate by a binding reaction between functional groups on the substrate (e.g., amine) and protein (e.g., activated
carboxylic acid). Techniques for chemical blocking of the arrays are also provided. The invention contemplates spotting of array elements onto
solid planar substrates, labeling of
complex protein mixtures, and the analysis of protein binding to the array. The invention also enables the enrichment or purification, and subsequent sequencing or
structural analysis of proteins that are identified as differential by the array screen. Kits including protein-binding microarrays for proteomic analysis in accordance with the present invention are also provided.