DNASER. II. Novel surface patterning for biomolecular microarray

For pt. I see ibid., vol. 1, no. 2, p. 67-72 (2002). A new matrix-integral part of the new DNA microarray instrumentation DNA analyzer (DNASER) is introduced based on a novel DNA patterning on the solid support surface. Such patterning found the way to modify a glass surface for a precise positioning of small droplets of aqueous DNA solutions, without special robots (arrayers), within the boundaries of the modified regions. The physically heterogeneous surface consists of highly hydrophilic spots surrounded by a highly hydrophobic area leading to the surface patterning needed for a DNA microarray: a matrix of hydrophilic spots properly activated for immobilization of oligonucleotides has been fabricated on absolutely passive hydrophobic surface. The optimal efficiency of the above functionalitation technology of a glass-substrate in obtaining DNA microarray was confirmed by the Cy3-dCTP-labeled DNA sample, as shown by charge-coupled device images of the DNASER previously described.