Abstract:
Pivotable jigs or tables facilitate inversion or reciprocation of one or more well plates relative to a dry DNA transfer sheet to effect deposit of DNA gene solution as spaced spots on the surface of the transfer media sequentially to produce after drying of the DNA gene solution transfer of the dry DNA material from the spots by forcible impact or rubbing pressure through a printing mechanism of minute dry DNA dots onto a test substrate such as a glass plate for subsequent analysis optically via fluorescent labels to determine the presence or absence of mutations and a further identification of the mutation itself.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the creation of a DNA analyzing array by separating DNA into individual genes, replicating the same and solubilizing DNA genes in a solution of tens, hundreds or thousands of distinct microscopic squares called “features” on a gene chip or substrate.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Typically, the DNA is separated into individual genes and replicated many times in a number of 96 well plates (an industry standard) and minute pieces of DNA are positioned on an underlying substrate such as a chip from the DNA genes solubilized in a solution. After forming the DNA wet array and drying the DNA, the completed array is bathed in a solution of two or more fluoresces labeled total genomic tags, with the tags hybridizing to bind to a particular gene on the array by causing the fluoresces to fluoresce and measuring the intensity of the signals, determinations may be made between the various features.  
           [0003]    To date, the creation of such array is complicated, and while arrays have envisioned in terms of several thousand features per substrate area, such arrays are produced in terms of days rather than minutes. Further, while the well plates can store the individual genes within respective wells, over time the machine forming the wet arrays requires constant cleaning to deter contamination of the arrays. Once created, such gene chips are useful in testing for dozens of genetic diseases of different severity, and the test can be cheaply and quickly effected. Chips have been produced; however, significant energy is required to realize a practical chip.  
           [0004]    Affymetrix, Inc. has recently disclosed an approach utilizing a glass slide as a substrate, about half the size of a postage stamp with thousands of distinct microscopic squares (features), each attesting for a specific DNA sequence. The features on the glass surface are covered with a compound containing chemical protecting groups that block further chemical reaction. Optically, collected protecting groups can be removed. A thin mask is then pulled over the chip containing holes to allow light to strike specific features, with the other features on the chip remaining protected. Subsequently, the chip is washed with a solution containing one of four DNA components called nucleotides (A, C, G or T). The DNA component washed solution binds only to the unprotected features. Each incoming nucleotide carries its own protecting group so that the washed features are reprotected. Sequentially, a new mask with different pattern of holes and optical (light) impingement removes the protecting groups at the different pattern of holes associated with a second group of features. In a multi-cycle process, chains of precisely ordered nucleotides are built onto each feature.  
           [0005]    As may be appreciated, genes are made of two strands of DNA nucleotides of a specific order, bound to each other like the halves of a zipper. Nucleotide binding is governed by certain relationships. For instance, the nucleotide T always binds with that of A, but never with C or G, or with another T. Thus, a strand of nucleotides has a single complimentary strand which will match it and bind exactly. Thus, a chip (or other substrate) containing nucleotide strands of a given composition can find specific mutations in a person&#39;s genes. Man has approximately 80,000 genes. Therefore, a DNA gene array of closely spaced features or dots of microscopic size may be constituted by as many as 400,000 dots on a single substrate and capable of carrying all DNA&#39;s for several persons, or one person in redundancy.  
           [0006]    In the production of the DNA, the liquid DNA gene arrays, DNA is extracted typically from tissue cells grown in cultures, the DNA is fragmented into thousands of pieces which can be chemically labeled with a fluorescent compound. The pieces contain parts of genes or whole genes. Thus, each feature of a chip contains a nucleotide strand of a normal or mutant section of a known gene. Thus, all possible mutations of a gene can be detected by features on a single chip and all may be tested simultaneously. By use of an optical scanner, the features on the chip can be read for fluorescent color and intensity. Features containing fluorescently labeled DNA may provide signals fed to a computer as input data, with that data being analyzed to provide information as to whether the person providing the genes carries one or more mutations, and further the identification of the mutation itself.  
           [0007]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a high throughput test system and components for ascertaining genetic mutations enhanced by the dry, orderly world of computer hardware in contrast to the wet and messy world of living tissue and of liquid DNA gene features applied to the slide by effecting a dry DNA transfer film to create in turn, a dry DNA analyzing array of features or spots on such slide.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention, in one form, is directed in part to an improved high throughput process of forming a dry DNA transfer media, such as film, paper, nitrocellulose, plastic or glass. For example, a thin flexible, resilient film sized to the top surface of a generally rigid well plate having such upper surface a plurality of closely spaced wells in column and line fashion within which are pre-placed separated, replicated DNA genes solubilized in a solution. The roughened surface of the thin flexible resilient film is sealed to the upper surface of the well plate. Means are provided for effecting a rigid film plate assembly. The assembly may then be inverted to cause the DNA solution under gravity to physically, locally wet coat the roughened surface of the film, with the roughened surface causing the DNA gene solution to cling to the film while preventing the DNA gene solution from running radially from one spot to another. The assembly is then reinverted to its initial position, and the DNA gene solution spotted film is removed slowly from the well plate. Upon drying, the DNA gene solution spot coatings thereon form a dry DNA transfer film capable of physical and chemical dry transfer of DNA to a substrate.  
           [0009]    The spot diameter or dimensions of the same and the spot configuration depend on the size and configuration of the wells within the well plate. The DNA gene solution spots may be air dried to speed the process. A vacuum seal may be effected between the thin flexible resilient film and the underlying well plate to momentarily fix the film to the well plate prior to and while inverting the assembly. The thin flexible resilient film and well plate assembly may be secured in a fixture or jig to facilitate rendering the assembly components fixed during the inverting and reinverting steps and to maintain the seal between well plate and film during the initial liquid coating of the roughened surface of the film and to prevent the DNA gene solution from running between the wells.  
           [0010]    In another aspect, the present invention involves a dry DNA transfer film as a product by the process described above.  
           [0011]    In a further aspect of the invention, a dry form DNA analyzing process includes the following steps:  
           [0012]    (a) sealing a flexible resilient film to the upper surface of a rigid well plate having a plurality of spaced wells opening to the upper surface and facing the film, the wells being prefilled with respective, separated, replicated DNA genes solubilized in a solution;  
           [0013]    (b) forming a fixed, sealed assembly between the well plate and the overlying thin flexible film;  
           [0014]    (c) inverting the assembly to transfer DNA gene solution spots to the facing surface of the film over localized areas of said film defined by respective wells;  
           [0015]    (d) reinverting the assembly, removing the film and drying the transferred DNA gene solution spots to thereby form a dry DNA gene transfer film;  
           [0016]    (e) placing the dry DNA gene transfer film in a position facing a flat glass test substrate and applying force and movement such as momentarily impacting the face of the DNA film on a face opposite that bearing the spots at the spot locations to cause dry DNA to forcibly locally contact the substrate; whereby  
           [0017]    portions of the dry DNA spots are transferred from the transfer film to the test substrate by physical action and chemical attraction; and  
           [0018]    (f) sequentially repeating the last step at different localized DNA spot locations on the dry DNA transfer film to complete a dry DNA gene test dot array on the test substrate. The velocity of the impact determines the mass of the DNA transferred for the force applied.  
           [0019]    The process preferably includes the further steps of bathing the dots with one or more total genomic tag fluorescences to hybridize the tag to a particular gene of the array, and optically scanning the array to identify dots containing fluorescently labeled DNA to determine the existence of mutants or lack of same, and/or expression of known genes in the given cell line(s) or not. Alternatively, a rubbing force directed on the transfer media could transfer the dry DNA in a fashion involving a force applied tangentially to the test substrate with velocity and force over a time period resulting in a mass of DNA being transferred.  
           [0020]    Preferably, minute pieces of dry DNA are transferred from the DNA transfer film spot to the substrate surface by feeding the film in a first direction while moving a multi-pin print head across the film at right angles to the direction of feed of the film while impacting a selected print head pin against the film at the back of a preselected DNA spot location to imprint a portion of a selected DNA spot onto the facing surface of the test substrate.  
           [0021]    The DNA transfer film may be supported on a print tractor or like transport means for moving in a direction of the film&#39;s longitudinal axis via perforations along the laterally offset edges of the film, with the film underlying the print head and overlying a glass substrate and the print head moving transversely across the top of the DNA transfer film. The glass test substrate may be moved incrementally towards and away from the film, cyclically timed to the movement of one or more print head pins such that the substrate is immediately adjacent to the top surface of the DNA transfer film at the moment of print head pin impact with the opposite surface of the DNA transfer film to that carrying the dry DNA spots.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a standard well plate covered by a DNA transfer film forming an invertible film/well assembly forming key components of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a conventional print head employed in transferring dry DNA from DNA transfer films produced using the assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic representation of a printer setup showing the orientation of the print head, the DNA transfer film on the print tracker, and a multi-slide holder underlying the surface of the DNA transfer film carrying DNA spots for transfer of minute portions of dry DNA from the spots onto the surface of the glass slides as employed in the process of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a dry DNA transfer spot on the DNA transfer film showing the sequential shifted pin impact locations for a given print pin during multiple usage of the DNA transfer film.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer incorporating a setup similar to that of FIG. 3.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is side elevational view of an apparatus for manufacturing a dry DNA transfer sheet in accordance with the principle set forth in drawing FIG. 1 and forming a further embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 6, with the cover pivoted 180° to open position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a standard 96 well plate with a dispensing valve positioned within one of the wells forming a further embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the dispensing valve carried by the corner well in the embodiment of FIG. 8.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for manufacturing a dry DNA transfer film forming a further embodiment of the invention, with a plurality of side-by-side well plates carrying the dispensing valves of FIG. 9, with projecting tips thereof in contact with the upper surface of a mylar dry DNA transfer sheet.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 10, with the hinged well plate holder unlocked.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a standard 96 well plate with a cylindrical porous material liquid dispensing wick fitted to the top of a corner well within the well plate for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 and forming a further embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the well plate of FIG. 12.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view through lines  14 - 14  of FIG. 12.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1, that figure illustrates a key aspect of the invention directed to the creation of a dry DNA transfer film for use in a DNA array test system forming one embodiment of the invention. A film/well assembly indicated generally at  10  is formed of an underlying 96 well plate  12  of rigid material of rectangular form and having a longitudinal pivot axis X—X. Within a top surface  14  of the well plate  12 , there are created a series of upwardly open, cup-shaped, cylindrical wells  16  within the well plate top surface  14  of that member in spaced, column and line fashion. The well plate is an industry standard having 96 wells in an eight by twelve matrix. In the method or process using the assembly  10 , initially DNA is separated into individual genes and replicated many times into a number of such well plates  12 . Depending on the diameter and spacing of the wells  16 , one to three 96 well plates  12  are sealed at the top  14  of the well plates commonly by an acid etched, frosted plastic film  18  or like transfer media which is both flexible and resilient, so that it attempts to maintain its flat condition as shown. At least one surface  18   b  of the plastic film  18  is etched. The DNA liquid  50  preferably fills the wells  16 , with the DNA in liquid form representative of the individual genes within the many wells of the array. In the schematic embodiment shown, there is a single well and one plastic film. Typically, the film  18  is of a size 8½× 11 with rows of spaced perforations  38  along opposite lateral side edges of the plastic film  18 . The plastic film may be of a suitable material such as mylar, polyethylene, etc., and the acid etching provides a frosting to at least the surface  18   b  of the plastic film  18  so that the liquid DNA will physically attach to the plastic film. The other side  18   a  may be similarly etched to receive DNA dots. After the supply of liquid DNA of respective genes to wells  16 , which liquid DNA charges may not come to the top of the wells, the plastic film  18  is sealed to the top or upper surface  14  of the rigid well plate  12 . Sealing may be effected by a vacuum seal process well known in the art, or alternative means such as by using a jig or fixture which opens and locks closed and which both supports the assembly and permits the inversion of the assembly as indicated by the double headed arrow  48 , FIG. 1, for rotation about the longitudinal horizontal axis of the well plate  12 . A foam sheet (not shown) on a cover of the assembly facing the wells may press the mylar film  18  against the well plate. After sealing of the plastic film  18  to the well plate, inversion of the assembly  10  results in gravity deposit of the liquid DNA charges 50 in each well location onto the surface  18   b  of the plastic film. The frosting of that surface  18   b  prevents the liquid DNA from expanding radially from the initial spot and allows additional area for physical attachment of the DNA which has a configuration and size of the well bore. Initial inversion need last for only a second or so. This is all the time necessary to effect wet spotting of the surface  18   b  with the respective different DNA gene liquid charges  50 .  
         [0037]    Almost immediately, the assembly  10  is reinverted back to the position shown in FIG. 1. The plastic film may be exposed to the air, the liquid spots dried; thereby allowing the film to be slowly and carefully lifted from the well plate. With the DNA gene spots  50 , FIG. 4, dried, there is formed a dry DNA transfer film. The DNA transfer film named for its likeness to carbon paper and its use of in a printer for transferring small segments of the dry DNA spots  50  over the surface  18   b  of each film  18  is ready for loading onto a printer  60  such as DNA transfer film  30 , FIG. 3. Printer  60  is comprised of a modified pin point print head  20  of block form having a face  22  within which is mounted a number of cylindrical, outwardly projectable and retractable print pins or type fonts. The print pins or font tips in the illustrated embodiment may be 250 microns in diameter and may be cylindrical in form. Tip size varies with array density. Depending on the configuration of the dry DNA dots to be positioned in column and line fashion, a number of slides as at  44 , FIG. 3, may be borne by a slide holder  40 . The pin head or font may be rectangular rather than circular in section. Since the printing process is quite similar to a computer controlled printing apparatus in general, the principal elements of such printing apparatus for printer  60  are shown only in schematic form, FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the tractor  70  is shown as having sprocket wheels  32  mounted at opposite ends of a shaft, with the sprocket wheels engaging the perforations  38  within the opposite side edges of the DNA transfer film  18 . In the exploded perspective view, the print head  20  is to the left of the tractor  70 , with the head being of L-shaped configuration including a base  26  which pivots about an axis parallel to the axes of the sprocket wheel assemblies  32  on transverse shaft or rod  54 . Additionally, the head  20  is mounted so as to move at right angles to the longitudinal axis a of the DNA transfer film  18  on a motor driven rod  52 , thus laterally as per arrow β from side-to-side of the DNA transfer film  18 . Rod  54  may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to allow imprint of a selected pin  24  against the DNA transfer film  18 . Such action may be incremental or continuous, as may be the drive θ for the tractor, FIG. 5. Such drives are indicated schematically, FIG. 3. A motor as at  36  is connected at  34  to a lower sprocket assembly  32   a  to achieve the movement of the DNA transfer film in the direction of its axis a. Schematically, a further motor  32   b  connected to the bottom of the base  26  of the print head  20  via rod  54  may cause the print head to swing clockwise towards and counter-clockwise away from the surface  18   a  of the DNA transfer film  18  to position face  22  of the print head in overlying position to the DNA transfer film. The microscope slide holder  40  is positioned beneath film  18  on the tractor  70  and the slides  44  maintained in a position to receive by transfer a small segment of a DNA spot  50 , FIG. 4, carried on the opposite surface  18   b  of the DNA transfer film which immediately faces but is spaced slightly from the microscope slide holder  40 . A computer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) operating under a program controls movement of the print head  20 , the DNA transfer film  18  and the slide holder  40  to determine the location of each closely spaced dot  45 , FIG. 3, of DNA gene transfer film spot  50  directly onto the facing surface of a slide  44 .  
         [0038]    The slides  44  are precoated with poly-L-lysine, or other known chemical attractant biomolecule including DNA. Thus, only light impact of the dry DNA spot  50  upon striking of one of the pins  24  of the array, FIG. 2, such as projected pin  24   a,  is required to ensure transfer of a sufficient amount of the DNA from the film spot  50  to a slide  44  upon impact of the printer  20  pin head  24 . In the typical printer, the print head therefore travels horizontally, while the tractor riding on an infinite servo motor moves the DNA transfer film  18  vertically, i.e., at right angles as per β. The DNA gene array transferred from the DNA transfer film to the slide is only limited by the size of the slide itself. The slide size is only limited by the reader capacity of the system. Preferably, the slide holder and the slides  44  thereon are not in contact with the surface  18   b , but under computer or CPU control raised to lie immediately beneath the surface  18   b  of the DNA transfer film  18 , just prior to projection of the print head pin  24  in a limited, light contact with the surface  18   a  opposite a dry DNA dot  50  on slide facing surface  18   b . Such system under computer or CPU control is capable of pin point transfer of minute surface area dots of DNA directly onto the facing side of the glass slides. Minute shifting of the print head  20  relative to the DNA transfer film  18  and its tractor  70  is effected after each cycle of printing, that is, for a given DNA spot  50 , vertically and/or horizontally so that the DNA transfer film may be used over and over again. The sequence of alignment and thus print pin impact position on the opposite face  18   a  of the spot  50  in FIG. 4 illustrates shifts laterally; at one, two, diagonally; from two to three, laterally; three, four, five and six, diagonally; from six to seven, and laterally through eight and nine. Only nine of the incremental shifts of the print head relative to the DNA transfer film are shown in FIG. 4, since the numerals ten, eleven and twelve have been used elsewhere in the drawings. Further, the computer or central processing unit may effectively track all of the individual DNA transfer films for the number of times it has been used, and the use is through a controlled sequence of shifts such as that illustrated partially in FIG. 4. Preferably, the print head is moved to a new starting position slightly offset from the last for each time the film is reused in accordance with the schematic illustration at FIG. 4.  
         [0039]    While not in use, the DNA transfer film may be stored under refrigeration at temperatures ranging from a +4° C. to −80° C. (depending on solvent and concentration). While the illustrated embodiment employs 3×1″ glass slides, such microscopic slides may be larger such as 6×2″, 4×8″, etc. Theoretically, under the system illustrated and described, there may be in the neighborhood of 400,000 DNA gene dots on the glass slide, very closely spaced and generally in column and line fashion. Alternatively, the dots may be in staggered rows, not columns, as such allows greater dot array density. Since the DNA transfer film is flexible and resilient, there is only localized deformation of the mylar, polyethylene or other like material film, sufficient to bring the fraction of DNA spot  50  into contact with the glass slide  44  surface depositing the feature  45 . Since that slide surface is coated with poly-L-lysine, there is both a physical and chemical transfer of the DNA from spot  50  on the DNA transfer film  18  onto the glass slide. The affinity of the poly-L-lysine for DNA ensures sufficient and consistent concentration of the DNA transferred to create a test dot or “feature”  45  as such dot is known in the industry. Once the array of DNA dots is created on the slide or slides of the holder  40 , the slides are removed, and the completed array is bathed in a solution of two or more fluoresces labeled total genomic tags. These tags hybridize (bind) to a particular gene on the array and each time they bind the fluorescence signal becomes linearly stronger.  
         [0040]    Under a fully automated system, a modified fluorescence microscope connected to the computer may automatically read each location on the array and measure the intensity of its signal and the identity of the signal being produced. By further computer correlations of data points, one may determine the relationships between any two cell types and a third variable (drug), or the same cell types between one variable or more.  
         [0041]    The system of the present invention has significant utility in the medical field, the health industry in general and the pharmaceutical industry, both in terms of manufacture and use or detection and treatment of medical disease. The print process of the instant system takes a significant shorter period of time to create the dry DNA dot arrays on slides such as slides  44 , thereby completing such arrays in minutes rather than days that occur with the systems currently creating arrays utilizing the wet technique where the DNA in wet form is deposited directly onto the microscope slides. Since the dry DNA transfer films can be stored indefinitely, the array is quickly reproducible without lengthy reactions.  
         [0042]    In the past, arrays a.k.a. micro arrays, industry term of stored DNA dots or features required constant cleaning of the array apparatus to deter contamination of the array. In the system of the invention, the projected pins do not touch the DNA, but are isolated therefrom by the mylar transfer film, or like media. In systems where the DNA is transferred in liquid form onto the microscope glass slides, all elements coming into contact with the liquid DNA require periodic and constant cleaning. Further, by utilizing the frosted mylar or similar plastic film material, there is virtually no spread of the liquid DNA in the formation of the individual spots  50  on the frosted surface of the mylar film, or after removal of the DNA transfer film  18  from the well plate during the drying of the spots  50 . The density using the illustrated embodiment is quite high. With eight rows of twelve samples of DNA per row using a 24-pin print head  20 , one obtains 288 DNA spots  50  on a single mylar sheet by using three of the 96 well plates. With the use of additional mylar sheets, easily a total of &gt;7200 DNA dot combinations may be effected on two side-by-side glass slides  44  within a common slide holder like that at  40 , using the setup of FIGS. 3 and 5. Further, in the creation of the DNA transfer film  18 , automatic record keeping is facilitated since one may readily type data onto the reverse side of the mylar film, i.e. the date of the test, time, identification of the subject, type of test, etc. Not only does one have a thorough record of the test work done, but the actual proofs as a result of testing are attached as dry DNA content to the opposite side of the mylar film. All of this is done without the mess of dealing with liquid DNA, except in the first instant in a highly effective and quick manner producing the initial DNA spot form transfer sheets and then employing a conventional automated printing apparatus such as that at FIGS. 3, 5, to effectively transfer the dry DNA content to the glass slide in a form to permit ready optical testing for mutant content, etc. The flow diagram described in this specification is set forth in chart form as Chart A hereafter.  
                                                                                     CHART A                       COMPUTER PROGRAM                                    (1)   Input plate #               Input contents of each well 1-96               ↓           (2)   Input # of slides to be used               Input size of slide to be used               Input array density (or automatic)               Input Film #               Input # of film to be used               Input Density of film array                    ↓   ↓                (3)   Output:location of the               array on slide as map               for user and reader               computer if not the               arrayer comp.               ↓           (4)   Output:force applied by print head for each location, for               consistency of DNA concentration transferred               ↓           (5)   Arrayer/Reader output                a) Array contents                 i.   fluorescence @ each print dot location               (color/intensity)            ii.   expression level of gene @ each location            iii.   correlation between dots (locations)            iv.   correlation to previous data on same subjects or               same drug, etc.                      
 
         [0043]    Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown an apparatus  100  for making dry DNA transfer sheets in accordance with the present invention, and in the manner generally depicted in FIG. 1. The apparatus  100  consists essentially of a table  110  having a horizontal base  112 , from which extends upwardly and longitudinally centered between the ends of a pair of laterally spaced legs  114  pivotably mounting a table top  120  via a horizontal table top hinge pin  128  extending through table top vertical extension or raised end  124  and each leg  114 . A fixed, vertically upright stop  116  underlies the table top  120  near the end of the table top  120  remote from the hinged pivot connection to legs  114 . The fixed stop  116  is of a vertical height such that it abuts the bottom surface  120   b  of the table top to support the table top in a horizontal position. To the opposite side of the table  110  is pivotably mounted a pivotable stop  118  which is pivoted at its lower end via pivot pin  119 . The pivotable stop  118  is centered laterally on the base  112 . The pivotable stop  118  rises to a vertical height above that of fixed stop  116 . A hinged cover  122  overlies the table top  120  and is hinged to the table top raised edge  124  by screws or like fasteners (not shown) and to a side edge of cover  122 . The hinge  130  permits the cover  122  to be rotated from a position overlying the table top  120  through 180° to an oppositely directed horizontal position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, and in solid lines in FIG. 7. As such, the apparatus cover rotates like a book into a full open position, FIG. 7. Because of the location of the hinge  130 , the top surface  122 A comes into contact with the top surface of the movable stop  118  when the movable stop is rotated from its inclined dotted line position shown in FIG. 6 at  118 ′ to its full line position. A lower face  122 B of cover  122  carries a rectangular recess which receives a foam sponge rectangular sheet  123  sized on the order of a dry DNA transfer sheet formed of mylar or other material as described in this specification. Projecting downwardly from the bottom surface  122 B of the cover  122  are a number of dry DNA transfer sheet location pins  134 , at least one at each of the four corners of mylar dry DNA transfer sheet  18  for overlying the three side-by-side well plates  12 . Plates  12  as seen in FIG. 7 are received within spaced parallel grooves  140  opening outwardly at one end of table  120  and within the table top  120 A and sized slightly larger than the width of the elongated well plates  12 . The well plates are positioned within the grooves  140  so as to be appropriately positioned to align with the common mylar dry DNA transfer sheet  18 . A pair of laterally spaced projections  122 C are carried by cover  122  near the lateral center line of the table cover  122  defining a slot which receives a pivotable thumb screw assembly  142  including a shank pivotably mounted at its lower end to an outboard edge of the table top  120  via pivot pin  144 . The assembly  142  includes a wing nut  143  which when unscrewed from the position shown in FIG. 6 allows the shank to pivot outwardly as shown in FIG. 7 to release the cover and permit its shifting from the full line position of FIG. 6 to the dotted line position in that figure and the full line position in FIG. 7. The two basic components, therefore, consisting of table  120  and cover  122  open like a book from the condition shown in FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 7. The apparatus  100  further comprises as seen in FIG. 7 a vacuum groove  136  within the bottom surface  122 B of cover  122  connected to a source of vacuum indicated by an arrow V, FIG. 7, via vacuum line  138 . With the apparatus open like a book, FIG. 7, mylar dry DNA transfer sheets  18  may be sequentially mounted via the perforations therein onto location pins along opposite sides of the vacuum groove and exterior of the same so that the bottom surface of the mylar sheet or film  118  is in contact with the bottom face  122 B of cover  122 . Application of vacuum pressure by vacuum source V causes the mylar sheet  18  to be maintained in exact desired position, whereupon with one, several or all of the wells of the well plates  12  being loaded with liquid DNA (or other, similar solutions), the cover  122  is pivoted counterclockwise from the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6 to the full line position. At this point, the pivotable thumb screw assembly  142  is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 7 to a vertical upright position, and the wing nut  143  rotated on threaded shank so as to clamp the cover  122  and thus the mylar sheet  18  against the upper surface of the upright open well plate  12 , compressing the sponge sheet  123  to effect a seal between the inverted top surface of the mylar film  18  and well plate  12 . A fixed assembly is achieved, i.e. table top  120  and cover  122 , corresponding in principle to that of film/well plate assembly  10 , illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. The assembly is rotated clockwise via hinge pins  128  after pivoting pivotable stop  118  from its full line vertical position to a dotted line inclined position  118 ′, FIG. 6, the result of which is to cause the liquid DNA within given wells  16  of the three well plates  12  to make physical contact with the facing surface of the mylar sheet  18  and forming distinct, relatively large diameter, spaced dots. Thereafter, the rigid assembly of the cover  122  and the table top  120  is pivoted counterclockwise about the axis of hinge pins  128  back to the position shown in FIG. 6, whereupon the pivotable thumb screw assembly  140  is released by rotating the wing nut  143  oppositely on the threaded stem of that apparatus to loosen the lock which, after pivoting from a vertical to a horizontal position, permits the now released cover to be rotated clockwise again to the extent of the dotted line position of FIG. 6 and full line position of FIG. 7. The wet DNA spotted transfer sheet  18  may either be dried in place, or removed for drying with the apparatus ready to repeat the process to create a series of multiple mylar dry DNA transfer sheets.  
         [0044]    Referring further to FIGS. 8, 9,  10  and  11 , an additional embodiment of the invention utilizes an apparatus indicated generally at  200 , FIGS. 10 and 11. Apparatus  200  has some common components to the apparatus at  100  of the prior described embodiment and functions to produce a series of DNA transfer sheets by using a different technique.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 illustrates perspectively one of three identical well plates with individual upwardly open wells  16 , one of which at the left bottom corner has positioned within the interior of this U-shaped upwardly opening cavity a self-actuated dispensing valve indicated generally at  250  and forming the principal component of this further embodiment of the invention. The dispensing valve  250  in accordance with FIG. 9 is comprised of a cylindrical valve body  252  having an axial bore  254  of relatively small diameter and a large diameter counterbore  256  which opens outwardly at the opposite end of the cylindrical body  252 . The valve body  252  has opposed faces  260  and  262  and an outer cylindrical wall  258 . It houses internally a movable valve member or plunger indicated generally at  264  consisting essentially of a small diameter stem  264 A enlarged intermediate of its ends by a conical shaped valve stopper  264 B. The stopper  264 B is radially larger than the diameter of bore  254 . The body  250  includes a shallow axial recess  278  within end face  260 . A radial circumferential recess  276  extends over a portion of the axial length of body  252  from face  262 , within the outer peripheral wall  258  of that member. Additionally, a circular groove  272  of short depth and short axial height is formed within the larger diameter portion of body  252 , within which may be fitted an O-ring  274 , sealing body  252  with the inner peripheral wall of the well  16  within which it is received, FIG. 8. Near the open end of counterbore  256 , an interior groove  253  receives a triangular plan shaped stem guide and fill plate provided with a small diameter axial bore  255  through which stem  264 A projects. A compression coil spring  270  is interposed between guide plate  255  and the conical valve stopper  264 B biasing the stopper  264 B to valve closed position, with the tapered portion of the valve stopper in contact with a valve seat  282  defined by bore  254 .  
         [0046]    Once the valves  250  are in place in the respective wells  16  of well plate  12 , FIG. 8, the well plate acts as a dispensing mechanism for the liquid DNA. As seen in FIG. 8, the projecting tip  284  of the movable valve member or plunger  264  extends outwardly beyond a ring stopper  286  defined by axial recess  260  which acts as a downward stop against an upper surface of a mylar dry DNA transfer sheet or similar media, when one or more well plates  12  utilizing the dispensing valves  250  are employed with the apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0047]    With the liquid charges within the wells  16  of well plate  12 , the dispensing valves  250  are upturned from the position shown in FIG. 9 and inserted into the upwardly open wells to the extent of the axial length of the outer peripheral recess  276  within valve body  250  and defining a circular shoulder  277 . Preferably, annular groove  272  on the outer periphery of the cylindrical valve body  252  carrying O-ring seal  274  prevents leakage of the liquid DNA from the individual cells between the valve body  252  and the sidewalls of the cells  16  carrying the dispensing valves  250 .  
         [0048]    The apparatus  200  depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 permits predetermined volumes of DNA liquid to be dispensed through the dispensing valves onto the upper surface of a mylar dry DNA transfer sheet  18  as in the previous illustrated embodiment. The apparatus  200  includes a table indicated generally at  210 . Table  210  includes a table top  214  supported by short height legs or feet  212  at the four corners in similar fashion to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7. A vacuum line  242  connects to a vacuum groove  240  within the top surface  214 A of the table top and may be coupled to a source of vacuum at  243  for holding down and in place on the table top a mylar dry DNA transfer sheet located by way of location pins  220  prior to vacuum application. Laterally spaced risers  216  provide a hinge connection to one end of a pivotable well plate holder  224 , via an elongated hinge pin  226  passing through respective risers  216  adjacent their upper ends and the end of well plate holder  224 . As such, well plate holder  224  is mounted for rotation through an arc of approximately 180° from the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 so that the upper surface  224 A comes into contact with the upper end of a fixed stop  222  mounted to the upper face  214 A of the table top, at some distance to the right of risers  216 . This permits freedom to properly position the mylar dry transfer sheet  18  in the position in FIGS. 11, 12 for receiving spaced drops or volumes of liquid DNA of the DNA solution to form the appropriate spot on the surface of the film  18 . After mounting of the film  18  to the table top, the hinge well plate holder is rotated counterclockwise to the position shown in the drawing FIGS. 10, 11. The end of the hinge well plate holder  224  opposite that of the hinge connection via hinge pin  226  is provided with a U-shaped slot  225  for receiving a reduced diameter threaded portion  232  of a pivoted locking pin  231  forming an element of thumb screw assembly  230 . The locking pin  231  is pivotably mounted via a transverse pivot pin  237  to the table top  214  via a pair of laterally spaced ears  236 . A thumb screw locking knob  234  having a tapped axial bore is threaded to the reduced diameter threaded portion of locking pin  231 . The bottom surface  224 B of the well plate holder  224  rests on a shoulder or stop  233  at a point along the locking pin  231  to maintain the hinged well plate holder spaced some distance above the upper surface  214 A of the table top  214  and in a horizontal position. Three laterally spaced rectangular holes or openings  238  are formed within the hinged well plate holder  224 , the openings  238  being sized to reduced width base portions  12 ′A of the well plates  12 ′ as seen in FIG. 8. Grooves  239  are formed within the top longitudinal side edges of the well plate  12 ′, thereby defining laterally opposite flanges  239  along the sides of the well plate. Thus, a portion of the well plate  12 ′ adjacent to the upper surface of that element is narrower than the portion proximate to the bottom of the well plate. The flanges  239  function as stops to limit the extent of vertical movement of the well plates  12 ′ when the reduced width portions are inserted within respective holes or openings  238  within the well plate holder  224 . Initially, the well plates  12 ′ are gently lowered into the openings or holes  238  to the extent where the tips  284  of plungers  264  contact the upper surface of the mylar sheet  18  as per FIG. 10. In this embodiment, there is no need to flip flop the well plates  12 ′ to deposit liquid DNA on the mylar film by gravity deposition. When the tips  284  of the stoppers  264  touch the mylar film, all that is required is a slight downward pressure applied to the well plates, which may be manually or automatically effected to cause the radially enlarged tapered well stoppers to move away from their valve seats  282 , thereby permitting the DNA solution L to escape from counterbore  256  of each valve body  252  for each valve  250 . Simultaneously, circular ring stop  286  of the valve body abuts the upper surface of the mylar film  18 , with the liquid DNA in this embodiment filling a cavity defined by the vertical height B of recess  260  and the interior diameter A of the ring stop  286 . Exact, minute precise dimensions are required for the valve member to effect a small liquid charge deposit by each of the dispensing valves  250  capable of spot wetting of the transfer media. Alternatively, the volumetric control of the liquid DNA charge at each spot location on the mylar transfer film  18  may be determined by the extent of time that the dispensing valve  250  is open and determined by the dimensions of the flow paths defined by the stopper  264  and the axial bore  254  within the valve body  252 .  
         [0049]    Once the spot wetting of the mylar sheet is accomplished, the pressure applied to the well plates is terminated and the valves reclose. The valves  250  automatically close due to the force of the compression coil spring interposed on the stem  264 A with the plunger  264  closing on valve seat  282  for each valve. Thus, even when the well plate  12 ′ is inverted from the position shown in FIG. 8, no leakage will occur. Thus, dispensing of a liquid volume is carefully controlled with resealing of the liquid DNA within counterbore  256  of the valve member at the termination of the spot wetting of the mylar  18 .  
         [0050]    Further, upon release of pressure on the three well plates  12 A, the thumb screw  234  may be backed off and loosened to the extent permitting pin  31  to be rotated from a vertical upright position, FIG. 10, to a horizontal position, freeing the hinged well plate holder  224 . This permits its rotation clockwise to the extent of permitted by fixed stop  222  and allowing access to the exposed mylar sheet  18  for drying prior to removal or for removing and subsequent drying of the liquid DNA spots after their creation. With the hinged well plate holder pivoted clockwise out of the way of the mylar sheet area, a new mylar sheet  18  may be positioned via the pins  220  and vacuum pressure reapplied to the succeeding sheet.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 12, 13 and  14  illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, in which a well plate  12 ′ identical to that at  12 ′, FIG. 8, is employed in the apparatus of FIGS. 11 and 12 as depicted or with slight modifications thereto. In this embodiment, the top face  12 ′B comes into close proximity to an underlying mylar dry DNA transfer sheet  18  to allow a thin layer of liquid DNA film on a special dripless applicator wick  290 , FIG. 14, to make contact with the upper surface of the mylar film  18  and to create a circular spot corresponding to the diameter of the applicator wick. The inverted T-shaped well plate  12 ′ of FIG. 12 is provided with a plurality of cup-shaped wells  16  in a column and line fashion. A singular well is shown in FIG. 12 as receiving an applicator wick  290 , the cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 14. The applicator wick  290  is of cylindrical form, having an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of a well  16  and having a length so as to project into the liquid DNA charge L. A radially projecting circular rib  294  is integral with the cylindrical body  292  forming a stop to define a precise axially projected position for the wick upper surface  290 A so as to create through capillary wicking action passage of the liquid DNA or DNA solution onto the outer axial surface  290 A of the applicator wick. This achieves permitting a DNA solution blotting action upon inversion of the well plate  12 ′ and placement into position above the mylar sheet  18 , FIG. 10, in place of the well plate  12 ′ carrying the dispensing valves  250  of the prior described embodiment of FIGS. 8-11. The dimensions of the well plate and the dimensions of the applicator wick for each well  16  are such that a slight depression of the inverted one or more well plates  12 ′ causes momentary contact of at least the liquid DNA film  290  on the axial outer surface  290 A of the applicator wick with the facing surface of the mylar film  18  at each well position  16  on the well plate carrying an applicator wick  290  and being loaded with liquid DNA in accordance with the showing in FIG. 14. The volume of the well is defined by the bottom surface of the disc  290 B.  
         [0052]    The sequence of events using the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 12-14 is the same as that for the prior embodiment, utilizing the dispensing valve  250  within each selected well  16 , by employing the apparatus of FIG. 10. The well plate holder is initially pivoted clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 10 so that its end remote from the pivot axis of pin  226  lies in contact with the upper surface of stop  222 . A mylar sheet such as that at  18  is positioned on the upper surface  214 A of the table top and positioned by way of position pins  220  in the manner of the prior embodiment. The well plate holder  224  is then rotated counterclockwise ( 217  depiction of angular rotation) 180° to overlie the mylar sheet  18 . The well plate holder may be locked in position using mechanism  230  as in the prior embodiment, and preferably three identical well plates with DNA liquid within the wells  16  and closed off by the applicator wicks  292 , penetrating the well to a fixed point controlled by flange  294 , are inverted from the condition shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and  14  and placed in respective holes or openings  238 , with the flanges  239  limiting that insertion action, but placing the axially outer surfaces  290 A of the applicator wick immediately above or in contact with the facing surface of the mylar film  18 , whereupon the liquid DNA due to the porosity of the foam material or other wick material making up the applicator wick  292  causes a thin layer of liquid DNA to form as a film as at  290  which is blotted off as a result of momentary contact between the applicator wick  290 A and the facing surface of the mylar film  18  with like spaced liquid DNA spots being formed over the face of the mylar film in mirror image fashion to the wells  16  which are actively supplied with liquid DNA prior to insertion of the applicator wicks  292 . The applicator wicks therefore perform two functions, one sealing the liquid DNA within the well  16  in the volume not occupied by the wick body  292  and facilitating by capillary action a constant replenishment of the liquid DNA film  290  on the axially outer surface  290 A of the applicator wick. Upon completion of wet spotting, the locking mechanism is loosened and rotated out of the way of the pivotable well plate holder  224 . Thereafter, the holder with the well plates  12 ′ can be rotated through a 180° arc clockwise until the top of the well plate holder contacts the upper end of fixed stop  222  upon which it rests, allowing the operator to remove the now wet DNA spotted mylar film  18  and replace it with a new succeeding sheet. The removed sheet upon drying forms a dry DNA transfer sheet which may be used in the printing apparatus as described with the prior embodiment, or stored under appropriate temperature prior to such printing use.  
         [0053]    It should be apparent that changes and modification may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. For instance, the printing apparatus as shown in FIGS. 2-5 evidences only one type of commercially available printing apparatus capable of utilizing the dry DNA transfer media in sheet form, endless loop form, tape form, rigid substrate form or otherwise, and which a printing apparatus may achieve imprinting of DNA particles sized to the print font or print pin dimensions by impacting the back face of the print media carrying the dry DNA spots to create a DNA dot of micron size onto the facing surface of an underlying substrate. Impact printing involves force plus movement. Alternatively, pressure plus movement such as by rubbing may be employed to transfer dry DNA spot material from a transfer media onto the facing surface of a rigid glass substrate such as a glass slide or the like.  
         [0054]    It should also be apparent that while the invention has been described in detail with several embodiments utilizing a mylar sheet or film whose surfaces are roughened to receive the liquid DNA charge using the apparatus within the drawing figures, such print media may be constituted by a flexible tape carried by and movable between a feed and take-up spool. A transfer media may take the form of a porous sheet of paper which incorporates means for preventing radial dispersion of liquid DNA in forming the dry transfer media radially from one liquid DNA spot to another. Such porous paper type print media may be constituted by a laminate structure having circular areas sized and located corresponding to the respective wells providing the liquid DNA to achieve multiple spots in staggered or columnar and line fashion using the apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, a porous paper sheet may be embossed with circular rings sized to the diameter of the wells of the well plate and in like numbers, with the embossments preventing the radial dispersion of the liquid DNA through the porous paper beyond the dimension of the indentation corresponding to the well diameter of the wells within the well plate. Such porous print media is seen as similar, but not identical to carbon paper, with the carbon surface content being physically equivalent to the dry DNA spots on the dry DNA transfer sheet. The porous paper form of dry DNA transfer media can be formed of a porous material which impedes radial dispersion of the liquid DNA spots during and subsequent to spot formation and prior to drying of the same. Drying may be accomplished by exposure to air, hot air drying, or infrared radiation to speed up the process of the creation of the dry DNA transfer media.  
         [0055]    It should be kept in mind that while the specification and claims recite a DNA wet solution and dry DNA spots and dots, respectively, the claims and the invention are not limited thereto, but broadly cover the utilization of and transfer of a concentrated solution of DNA, RNA, protein and biomolecule from one or more well plates or other container to an appropriate transfer media utilizing as an imprinting substrate any type of porous paper, film, flexible resilient sheet, or rigid substrate that inherently or by way of treatment or modification will bleed liquid, i.e. the concentrated solution in a Z direction, while inhibiting or limiting bleed laterally or radially, with that substrate preferably being an acid etched polymer film such as mylar. Further, while the printing mechanism, which is schematically illustrated in the drawings and described in some detail in the specification, uses a motor driven tractor to drive a transfer media in sheet or endless loop form via sprockets having radially projecting pins whose ends insert into holes along the sides of the transfer sheet or endless loop, movement of the dry DNA transfer media may be effected by a position control through the use of laser beam or light locating means to facilitate by lateral movement of a print head bearing multiple projectable pins or type font such that a given quantity of the DNA, RNA, protein or other biomolecule dry spot on the transfer media is mechanically transferred by impact force or rubbing pressure onto a facing glass substrate which in turn may be shifted towards and away from the dry DNA transfer media.  
         [0056]    Further, while vacuum grooves and vacuum application is illustrated as a means for maintaining the position of the ink printing substrate, other means such as mechanical clamping may be employed to ensure sealing of that member to the face of the well plate or an array of well plates prior to the transfer step. While preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that other variants and embodiments thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the claims, with the latter being defined by the appended claims. Further, all features described in the specification, recited in the ensuing claims and shown in the drawings, may be essential to the invention, either individually or in any arbitrary combination with one another.  
         [0057]    It should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrative only and modifications and variations in content of the embodiment and in the process steps in the production of the components of the dry DNA array system would occur to those of skill in this art without deviating from the invention. Within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described or shown above.