Patent ID: 6939673
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: B01J,B82Y,C40B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for synthesizing an array of biopolymers, selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides and polypeptides, on the surface of a support wherein said synthesis comprises a plurality of steps wherein reagents for forming said biopolymers are deposited on the surface of the support and wherein on or more of said plurality of steps may comprises an error in said deposition, said method comprising: (a) placing a support having a functionalized surface into a reaction chamber, (b) dispensing, to multiple locations on said surface from a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of drops of a reagent for forming said biopolymers, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) in one or more cycles so as to form said biopolymers, wherein the reagents deposited in different cycles at the same locations on said surface may or may not be the same; the method additionally comprising in at least one selected cycle, (d) determining, using an imaging system, whether an error occurred in the dispensing of said reagent in the selected cycle, said error arising from the failure of one or more nozzles to dispense said reagents to one or more of said multiple locations, (e) if an error occurred, (f) subjecting said support to reagents for preparing said support for a subsequent dispensing step.