Abstract: Provided herein are encoded microcarriers for analyte detection in multiplex assays. The microcarriers are encoded with an analog code for identification and comprise a capture agent for analyte detection and a substantially transparent magnetic polymer. The analog code is generated by a two-dimensional shape of a substantially non-transparent layer. Also provided are methods of making the encoded microcarriers disclosed herein. Further provided are methods and kits for conducting a multiplex assay using the microcarriers described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising beads with unique analog code identifiers for storing information about a multiplex assay as well as methods for using the same in multiplex chemical and biological assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for detecting the presence of DNA and/or RNA mutations associated with cancer (e.g., lung cancer). The methods and kits employ microcarriers, each with a probe specific for a DNA or RNA mutation and an identifier unique to the probe sequence. Upon isolation and amplification of nucleic acids from a sample, hybridization of amplified DNA with a probe, specific for a DNA or RNA mutation, that is coupled to a microcarrier indicates the presence of the mutation in the sample. Since each microcarrier can be identified through detection of the identifier, multiplex screening assays are provided. Representative genes that can be screened for mutations include, e.g., KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, EGFR, AKT1, MEK1, and HER2 for DNA mutations and/or ALK, ROS, RET, NTRK1, and cMET for RNA mutations.

Abstract: Provided herein are encoded microcarriers for analyte detection in multiplex assays. The microcarriers are encoded with an analog code for identification and include a capture agent for analyte detection. Also provided are methods of making the encoded microcarriers disclosed herein. Further provided are methods and kits for conducting a multiplex assay using the microcarriers described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for detecting the presence of DNA mutations in the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, and APC genes. The methods and kits employ microcarriers, each with a probe specific for a DNA mutation in the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, or APC gene and an identifier unique to the probe sequence. Upon isolation and amplification of DNA from a sample, hybridization of amplified DNA with a probe, specific for a DNA mutation, that is coupled to a microcarrier indicates the presence of the DNA mutation in the sample. Since each microcarrier can be identified through detection of the identifier, multiplex screening assays for multiple mutations in each of the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, and APC genes are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are encoded microcarriers for analyte detection in multiplex assays. The microcarriers are encoded with an analog code for identification and include a capture agent for analyte detection. Also provided are methods of making the encoded microcarriers disclosed herein. Further provided are methods and kits for conducting a multiplex assay using the microcarriers described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising beads with unique analog code identifiers for storing information about a multiplex assay as well as methods for using the same in multiplex chemical and biological assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable storage media for selecting a detection area for a well (e.g., as part of an assay plate) comprising a plurality of encoded microcarriers. In some aspects, selecting the detection area includes obtaining one or more images of the well; calculating a center of the well according to a two-dimensional coordinate system; assigning a position, according to the two-dimensional coordinate system, of a first encoded microcarrier from the plurality; determining whether a distance between the position of the first encoded microcarrier and the center of the well according to the two-dimensional coordinate system exceeds a threshold distance; and including in the detection area one or more microcarriers whose distance from the center of the well does not exceed the threshold distance, while excluding those whose distance from the center of the well exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising beads with unique identifiers for storing information about a multiplex assay as well as methods for using the same in multiplex chemical and biological assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are encoded microcarriers for analyte detection in multiplex assays. The microcarriers are encoded with an analog code for identification and include a capture agent for analyte detection. Also provided are methods of making the encoded microcarriers disclosed herein. Further provided are methods and kits for conducting a multiplex assay using the microcarriers described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for detecting the presence of DNA mutations in the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, and APC genes. The methods and kits employ microcarriers, each with a probe specific for a DNA mutation in the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, or APC gene and an identifier unique to the probe sequence. Upon isolation and amplification of DNA from a sample, hybridization of amplified DNA with a probe, specific for a DNA mutation, that is coupled to a microcarrier indicates the presence of the DNA mutation in the sample. Since each microcarrier can be identified through detection of the identifier, multiplex screening assays for multiple mutations in each of the KRAS, BRAF, CTNNB1, and APC genes are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable storage media for measuring flatness (e.g., along a Z-axis) of a detection stage. In some aspects, measuring flatness of the detection stage includes obtaining two or more images representing different Z coordinates of a first XY coordinate on a substantially flat substrate positioned on the detection stage; determining a sharpest Z coordinate at the first XY coordinate based on sharpness of the two or more images; obtaining two or more images representing different Z coordinates of a second XY coordinate spaced apart from the first XY coordinate on the substantially flat substrate; determining a sharpest Z coordinate at the second XY coordinate based on sharpness of the two or more images; and calculating a difference between the sharpest Z coordinates at the first and the second XY coordinates to measure the flatness of the detection stage.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable storage media for measuring flatness (e.g., along a Z-axis) of a detection stage. In some aspects, measuring flatness of the detection stage includes obtaining two or more images representing different Z coordinates of a first XY coordinate on a substantially flat substrate positioned on the detection stage; determining a sharpest Z coordinate at the first XY coordinate based on sharpness of the two or more images; obtaining two or more images representing different Z coordinates of a second XY coordinate spaced apart from the first XY coordinate on the substantially flat substrate; determining a sharpest Z coordinate at the second XY coordinate based on sharpness of the two or more images; and calculating a difference between the sharpest Z coordinates at the first and the second XY coordinates to measure the flatness of the detection stage.

Abstract: Provided herein are magnetic aggregating and washing devices. Further provided herein are methods using magnetic aggregation to aggregate and wash sample molecules in an in vitro assay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising beads with unique identifiers for storing information about a multiplex assay as well as methods for using the same in multiplex chemical and biological assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are magnetic aggregating and washing devices. Further provided herein are methods using magnetic aggregation to aggregate and wash sample molecules in an in vitro assay.