Methods and devices for micro-isolation, extraction, and/or analysis of microscale components in an array

Abstract

Provided herein are devices and methods for the micro-isolation of biological cellular material. A micro-isolation device described can comprise a photomask that protects regions of interest against DNA-destroying illumination. The micro-isolation device can further comprise photosensitive material defining access wells following illumination and subsequent developing of the photosensitive material. The micro-isolation device can further comprise a chambered microfluidic device comprising channels providing access to wells defined in photosensitive material. The micro-isolation device can comprise a chambered microfluidic device without access wells defined in photosensitive material where valves control the flow of gases or liquids through the channels of the microfluidic device. Also included are methods for selectively isolating cellular material using the devices described herein, as are methods for biochemical analysis of individual regions of interest of cellular material using the devices described herein. Further included are methods of making masking arrays useful for the methods described herein. The micro-isolation devices can comprise a unique combination of barcodes in each microfluidics well, allowing two-dimensional mapping of genetic information.