Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has received US Patent No. 7,358,049, “Gene chip technology for determining memory genes.” The patent claims a method of identifying a gene or genes involved in transcription-dependent memory by: a) training non-human animals under conditions sufficient to induce transcription-dependent memory formation; b) extracting RNA from brain tissue of said non-human animals; c) synthesizing DNA probes using the RNA; d) exposing the DNA probes to microarray chips containing DNA sequences from genes of the genome of said non-human animals under conditions appropriate for hybridization of the DNA probes to complementary DNA sequences on the microarray chips; e) detecting the signal; and f) performing a statistical comparison between the signal detected in step (e) and the signal detected in a control.
BioArray Solutions of Warren, NJ, has received US Patent No. 7,358,097, “Making a matrix of random encoded arrays.” The patent claims an apparatus and method of maintaining chips or arrays of particles, or arrays of particles deposited on chip surfaces, in a designated area on a substrate surface. This is accomplished by having hydrophilic chips or arrays of particles, and a substrate that has a series of hydrophilic regions designed to accommodate the chips/arrays of particles, surrounded by hydrophobic regions. In the presence of aqueous solution, the chips or arrays of particles are held in the designated regions, the patent states.