| Abstract
| - A microarray hybridization system that allows mixing involumes comparable to those used by glass coverslips ispresented. This system is composed of a disposableflexible lid that binds to 1 in. × 3 in. glass slides via anadhesive gasket, forming a uniform 25-μm-thick hybridization chamber. This chamber rests on a base unit fortemperature control. The lid contains two air-drivenbladders that continuously mix the hybridization fluid.Mixing enhances sensitivity from a typical microarrayexperiment 2−3-fold. Mixing is particularly effective athigh spotted probe and low labeled target concentrationsand overcoming local target depletion that occurs whenhomologous probes are spotted in close proximity. Mixingappears to be compatible with most hybridization conditions; however, mix versus no-mix control experimentsshould be performed. Also covered are a number ofmicrofluidic issues related to manufacturing, filling, mixing, and packaging.
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