Rapid Microarray System For Passive Batch-Filling and In-Parallel-Printing Protein Solutions

This paper develops a novel microcontact printing system for printing tens of protein solutions into an array with batch filling and parallel printing. This printing system consists of micro filling and micros tamp chips. The micro filling chip can simultaneously transfer numerous protein solutions into the micros tamp chip in seconds by capillary force without cross contamination while preserving the functionality of proteins. Different proteins can be dispensed into the corresponding channels and driven into the tips of the microstamps. The microstamp can then be brought to contact with the substrate to produce bio fluid spot arrays. Teflon patterns are applied on both micro filling and microstamp chips to prevent cross contamination during filling. Thirty-six proteins can be printed in parallel with a spot size variation of less than 5%. This device has a potential to be expanded to a passive and high-throughput system for simultaneously printing hundreds of bio fluid spots to form dense arrays for diagnosing disease or screening for drugs.