Core Technology
Lab-On-A-Chip Technology
CombiMatrix’ core technology is the Lab-on-a-Chip integrated circuit. These integrated circuits contain arrays of microelectrodes that are individually addressable using logic circuitry on the chip. The first generation of our integrated circuits were designed and produced in 1996.
Under a controlled process developed by CombiMatrix, each microelectrode is addressed to selectively generate chemical reagents by means of an electrochemical reaction. These chemical reagents facilitate the in situ synthesis of complex molecules such as DNA oligonucleotides. These molecules are synthesized within a proprietary Porous Reaction Layer (PRL) that coats the chip. Once the chip is placed inside a small reaction chamber, thousands of simultaneous reactions are initiated by logical addressing of the chip. The miniaturized lab-on-a-chip rapidly synthesizes hundreds or thousands of different molecules in parallel within the Porous Reaction Layer above each electrode. Since a different product is synthesized at each site, the technology eliminates the need to synthesize different products in individual flasks by conventional methods. The parallel process drastically reduces the cost and time of synthesizing hundreds or thousands of different molecules.
A small section of the Lab-on-a-Chip is shown above containing 16 electrodes (reaction sites). Each circle is a 100-micron diameter addressable electrode. Each electrode is controlled by individual electronic circuits adjacent to each electrode. Electrodes are activated by a software-controlled process that addresses any number of electrodes in parallel. Once an electrode is addressed, chemical reagents are generated directly at that site under a controlled process. These reagents are used to synthesize a variety of different chemicals in situ. The figure above demonstrates the electrical activation of two electrodes and subsequent generation of chemical reagents suitable for synthesis of complex molecules such as DNA oligonucleotides.
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CombiMatrix has also developed the necessary technologies that enable high-throughput and reliable synthesis of biomolecules on these chips. Our Porous Reaction Layer (PRL) Technology permits synthesis and attachment of biomolecules within the layer above the semiconductor surface. Virtual Flask Technology confines the reagents that are generated at each electrode within a defined virtual column. Finally, biomolecules such as DNA oligonucleotides are rapidly synthesized and used in a variety of MicroArray Applications.
Lab-on-a-Chip.
Arrays of individually addressable microelectrodes permit synthesis of hundreds or thousands of different molecules in parallel.
Porous Reaction Layer (PRL)
Biocompatible layer that supports the attachment of synthesized molecules.
Virtual Flask
A process that confines chemical reagents within a virtual flask over each microelectrode.
DNA Microarrays
Arrays of oligonucleotides capture molecules synthesized on the chip for use in genomics and proteomics applications.