Layered Peptide Arrays
| Figure 2 Use of “Smart” Membranes chemistry allows for optimization of a processing method as a ‘Closed System’. The open system is limited by the amount of a biomolecule in the sample, which is divided by the number of membranes. The advantage of a closed system is that up to 100 layers can be used at the same time. because each target biomolecule can react with (or bind) only one membrane. A set of Smart Membranes is precoated with a spectrum of chemicals, which sensitizes each layer to specifically bind a particular analyte that is to be separated from a mixture. Each membrane is represented with a pattern in the graphic. The mixture of biomolecules in a complex sample is applied to the stack of layered membranes (vertical ‘up’ arrow). All layers are then analyzed (left-pointing arrows). Each rare biomolecule (patterned shapes) reacts upon only one ‘patterned’ membrane layer. In the diagram, each analyte is uniquely adsorbed to the matching pattern. The sample could be a solution containing antibodies. Or, it could be a set of antibodies that were previously bound to certain cells in a tissue section on a glass slide. In this ‘Closed System’ format, again, the physical information about the two-dimensional structure of the sample is demonstrated in parallel in each layer. |