The present invention relates to compositions, apparatus and methods
useful for concurrently performing multiple, high throughput, biological
or chemical assays, using repeated arrays of probes. A combination of the
invention comprises a surface, which comprises a plurality of test
regions, at least two of which, and in a preferred embodiment, at least
twenty of which, are substantially identical, wherein each of the test
regions comprises an array of generic anchor molecules. The anchors are
associated with bifunctional linker molecules, each containing a portion
which is specific for at least one of the anchors and a portion which is
a probe specific for a target of interest. The resulting array of probes
is used to analyze the presence or test the activity of one or more
target molecules which specifically interact with the probes. In a
preferred embodiment, a sample to be tested is subjected to a nuclease
protection procedure before it is contacted with a combination of the
invention.