A method of fabricating an array of biopolymers provides a shield for
biochemical reactions and biochemical reactants and is particularly useful
for those reactions and reactants that are susceptible to reaction with a
component of the ambient environment during the fabrication of the array.
The method is applicable to the conventional fabrication and synthesis
methods used to fabricate a biopolymer array, such as in situ synthesis of
biopolymers on an array and the attachment of pre-synthesized biopolymers
on to an array. The method comprises applying a non-miscible fluid (NMF)
to the array surface where the biopolymers are being synthesized or
attached. The NMF is inert and insoluble with the biochemical reactants
and other ancillary materials in solution used in conventional synthesis
or attachment of biopolymers. The NMF provides a shield between the
ambient atmosphere and the biopolymer synthesis materials or the
deprotected pre-synthesized biopolymer at the surface of the array during
the synthesis or attachment processes. The NMF may be applied as droplets
over each feature location on the surface or may be applied by flooding
the surface of the array to fully cover the features. Biomonomer or
biopolymer solutions are deposited into or through the NMF to the feature
locations on the surface of the array where the synthesis or attachment
reactions are to take place using conventional deposition equipment to
eject the solutions into the NMF. The NMF provides a shield for activated
biomonomers that are susceptible to reaction with a component in the
ambient environment, such as moisture in the air. Moreover, the NMF
provides a shield for pre-synthesized biopolymers that are susceptible to
evaporation when deprotected for attachment to the array surface. The
method provides a means by which the potential reactivity of the activated
biomonomer or deprotected biopolymer with an ambient atmosphere component
can be kept low. As a result, biopolymer arrays can be more accurately
fabricated.