초록 ▼

There is disclosed an automated apparatus, reagents and process for immunocytochemical staining of biological materials using ligand pairing. The present invention provides a method for storing a ligand in a macroscopic solid support and releasing the ligand into contact with a biological sample mou

There is disclosed an automated apparatus, reagents and process for immunocytochemical staining of biological materials using ligand pairing. The present invention provides a method for storing a ligand in a macroscopic solid support and releasing the ligand into contact with a biological sample mounted on a surface of a substrate. The process includes providing a macroscopic solid support formed of a solidified matrix material encapsulating a ligand therein with the macroscopic solid support being disintegratable to release the ligand therefrom. The solid support is placed in a first chamber which is in flow communication with a second chamber containing the substrate with the biological sample affixed thereto. The step of disintegrating the macroscopic solid support may include heating the macroscopic solid support to liquefy it when the matrix material is gelatin or a wax. An alternative method of disintegrating the solid support is to dissolve it using a solvent such as an aqueous solution added to the first chamber, in this case a water soluble wax is required. The apparatus includes an array of sample cells interconnected with reagent supply and drainage lines. Each cell defines the second chamber or well into which a sample substrate is inserted. The cell includes a cell head defining the first chamber. The chamber in the cell head is in flow communication with the fluid well so that when the ligand is released from confinement in the cell head, the disintegrated solid support flows into the fluid well thereby contacting the mounted biological sample. The ligand support matrix may be gelatin or wax. The cell body and cell head may be differentially heated or cooled so that the mounted sample may be held at the preferred temperature for the reaction of interest and the cell head may be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause thermal degradation of the support.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Therefore what is claimed is:] [9.] A method for releasing a ligand stored in a macroscopic solid support into contact with a biological sample mounted on a surface of a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:providing a macroscopic solid support comprising a matrix material encapsulating a

[ Therefore what is claimed is:] [9.] A method for releasing a ligand stored in a macroscopic solid support into contact with a biological sample mounted on a surface of a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:providing a macroscopic solid support comprising a matrix material encapsulating a ligand therein, said macroscopic solid support being disintegratable upon exposure to a release means to release said ligand therefrom;placing said macroscopic solid support in a first chamber in flow communication with a second chamber holding a substrate having a biological sample affixed to a surface thereof, said second chamber having a gap between opposed chamber walls large enough to avoid capillary action within said second chamber; anddisintegrating said macroscopic solid support by exposing it to said release means and flowing said disintegrated macroscopic solid support and said released ligand into said second chamber into contact with said biological sample.