Corning Microarray Technology
Technical
Bulletin
Contact Angle and its Importance
Contact Angle
Contact angle is a measure of the angle at which sample
meets the slide surface — a critical factor for good spot
morphology and consistent sample deposition. A carefully
controlled manufacturing process, such as that developed
and used in manufacturing of Corning CMT-GAPS™ Coated
Low contact
angle
Slides, produces slides with an optimal contact angle. This
bulletin describes hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and optimal
Hydrophilic Surface
surfaces as they relate to contact angle and microarray
quality.
Hydrophilic Surface
With a hydrophilic slide, sample transfers from the pin
onto the surface, almost completely emptying the pin of
sample. Sample spreads rapidly across the surface in a
thin layer.
High contact
angle
Pros:
•
Large surface area for probe attachment
•
Maximal sample deposit
Hydrophobic Surface
Cons:
Controlled
contact angle
Optimal Surface
•
Spots are irregular
•
Spots can spread into neighboring spots
Hydrophobic Surface
Pros:
With hydrophobic surfaces, less sample transfers from the
•
Excellent surface area for probe attachment
more hydrophilic pins. Sample volume deposited onto the
•
Excellent spot morphology
slide is variable. Samples attach to the slide in a smaller
•
Spots remain in place
area. In extreme cases, samples can bead on the surface
•
Consistent sample volume deposited
and roll out of their original places. After drying, spots
may be so thick that some printed DNA is unable to bind
to the slide.
Pros:
•
Very round spot morphology
Corning Microarray Technology Products
Cat. No.
Description
Qty/Pk
Qty/Cs
2549
CMT-GAPS coated slides non-barcoded
5/pkg
25 slides
2550
CMT-GAPS coated slides barcoded
5/pkg
25 slides
1/pkg
5
2551
™
™
CMT-Hybridization Chamber
Cons:
Corning Microarray Technology is a new platform of
•
Inconsistent sample volume deposited
•
Spots may move from their original placement
•
Less area for DNA binding
strength and experience in glass and plastics manufacturing,
•
Spot may oversaturate causing smearing or cometing
process engineering, and surface technologies, Corning is work-
Optimal Surface
microarray technology products being developed by Corning
Incorporated for the life science industry. By leveraging our
ing to transform the microarray technology marketplace by
providing high-quality, reasonably priced research tools that
Up to a point, increasing contact angle changes transferred
facilitate the widespread use of this new and exciting technology.
sample volume very little and spots become increasingly
The CMT-GAPS Coated Slides and the CMT-Hybridization
uniform, small and round. Further increasing contact angle
would decrease spot size significantly and inconsistently
Chamber are just the first in what promises to be a growing
family of CMT products that will bring the power of microarray
technology into every life science laboratory.
decrease the DNA volume printed. Under optimal conditions, consistent sample volumes transfer to the slide
surface and form uniformly round spots.
Corning Incorporated
Life Sciences
HP-AB-02
Corning, NY 14831
Tel: 1-800-492-1110, 1-978-635-2200
Fax: 1-978-635-2476
e-mail: [email protected]
www.corning.com/cmt
Corning Incorporated, One Riverfront Plaza, Corning, NY 14831-0001
Corning is a registered trademark of Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY.
CMT-GAPS is a trademark of Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY.