THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY OF SUPPORTS FOR SOLID-PHASE PARALLEL SYNTHESIS AND METHOD OF USE

A three-dimensional (3D) array of solid-phase supports is adapted to provide parallel synthesis of a library of molecules with 3D diversity. Individual locations in the 3D array may be assigned to selected molecules in the library such that molecules may be synthesized at and retrieved from such locations. Also, the supports include aperture walls in stacked plates; the supports may be suspended within stacked plate apertures; the 3D array includes discrete supports arranged in columns in one or more wells; the supports include tube inner walls or may be suspended in tubes, the tubes being secured in stacked, two-dimensional (2D) frameworks; or the supports include beads contained in porous enclosures having non-porous side walls and being secured in stacked, 2D frameworks. A support transfer device enables transfer of solid-phase supports used in a 3D array. Such apparatus includes: a rack of rods sized to be inserted through supports and a mechanism to prevent supports from coming off the rack; tubes connected to a vacuum manifold to suction supports one Z plane at a time; or a transfer block having recesses to receive one or more supports and at least one gate withholding supports from passing through the gate when in a closed position. A method of 3D synthesis includes: a) functionalizing solid-phase supports; b) placing supports in a 3D array; and c) performing parallel synthesis with 3D diversity. At least one unique R1 group member may be assigned to each Z plane. L'invention concerne un réseau tridimensionnel (3D) de supports en phase solide convenant pour la synthèse en parallèle d'une banque de molécules présentant une diversité 3D. Les emplacements individuels du réseau 3D peuvent être assignés à des molécules sélectionnées de la banque de manière que les molécules peuvent être synthétisées et récupérée à ces mêmes emplacements. Les supports peuvent se présenter sous diverses formes: ils peuvent former les parois délimitant des ouvertures pratiquées dans plaques empilées, ils peuvent être suspendus dans les ouvertures des plaques empilées, le réseau 3D peut comprendre des supports discrets disposés en colonnes dans un ou plusieurs creux, les supports peuvent comprendre des parois internes tubulaires ou être suspendus dans des tubes, ces tubes étant fixés dans des structures bidimensionnelles (2D) empilées, ou ils peuvent comprendre des billes contenues dans des enveloppes poreuses présentant des parois latérales non poreuses, qui sont maintenues