| abstract |
A method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces. There is provided an apparatus for performing light controlled reactions. One of the applications of the apparatus is to control reactions on a solid surface containing a plurality of isolated reaction sites, such as wells (the reactor). Light patterns for effecting the reactions are generated using a computer and a digital optical projector (the optical module). Patterned light is projected onto specific sites on the reactor, where light controlled reactions occur. A preferred application provides the in situ generation of chemical/biochemical reagents that are used in the subsequent chemical and biochemical reactions in certain selected sites among the many possible sites present. One aspect of the claimed invention is to change solution pH by photo-generation of acid or bases in a controlled fashion. Another preferred application is the parallel synthesis of biopolymers, such as oligonucleotides and peptides, wherein the method and apparatus are used for selective de protection or coupling reactions. |