| abstract |
A method and device for performing a plurality of small-volume reactions simultaneously are disclosed. The device includes an elongate or planar channel and a port for introducing such bulk-phase medium into the channel, a plurality of discrete small-volume reaction regions within the channel, and a reaction-specific reagent releasably carried on a wall portion of each reaction region. In carrying out the method of the invention, a bulk phase medium containing common reactants is added to the channel. Upon release of reaction-specific reagent from the wall portions of the reaction regions, a reagent-specific reaction can occur simultaneously in each region. The chann el is dimensioned to substantially prevent convective fluid flow among the reaction regions during such reactions. |