Abstract: Fluorescent nanoparticles are provided. The nanoparticles are formed from poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-(1-cyanovinylene-1,4-phenylene)]. Also provided are methods for imaging a target to which the nanoparticles are bound.

Abstract: Methods for separating, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). by forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, unwanted less dense materials from entering. Buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the complexes with ASG before reading. Readable labels include the magnetic particle tagged complex itself, and other labels such as enzymes, chemiluminescent materials, radioactive isotopes, chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates and other labels may be used. The invention applies to many assays, diagnostic tests, separative procedures and chemical syntheses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to trifunctional crosslinking reagents carrying (i) a ligand-reactive group for conjugation to a ligand of interest having at least one binding site on a target glycoprotein receptor, (ii) an optionally protected aromatic hydrazine group for the capturing of oxidized receptor-glycopeptides and (iii) an affinity group for the detection, isolation and purification of captured glycopeptides, their methods of production, as well as their use in methods for detecting, identifying and characterizing interactions between ligands and their corresponding glycoprotein target receptors on living cells and in biological fluids.

Abstract: A biomolecular sensor system includes an array of magnetoresistive nanosensors designed for sensing biomolecule-conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Materials and geometry of each sensor element are designed for optimized sensitivity. The system includes magnetic field generators to apply forces to superparamagnetic nanoparticles for 1) nanoparticle manipulation, 2) sensor magnetic biasing, 3) magnetic pull-off measurement for differentiation against non-specific association, and 4) removal of all particles from the sensor array surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a bio-sensing nanodevice comprising: a stabilized biologically-derived G-protein coupled receptor—the olfactory receptor—on a support, a real time receptor-ligand binding detection method, an odorant delivery system and an odorant recognition program. The biologically-derived G-protein coupled receptor can be stabilized on nanotechnology using surfactant peptide. The said nanodevice provides a greater surface area for better precision and sensitivity to odorant detection. The invention further provides a microfluidic chip containing a stabilized biologically-derived G-protein coupled receptor—the olfactory receptor—immobilized on a support, and arranged in at least two dimensional microarray system. The invention also provides a method of delivering odorant comprising the step of manipulating the bubbles in complex microfluidic networks wherein the bubbles travel in a microfluidic channel carrying a variety of gas samples to a precise location on a chip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the generation of novel libraries of encoded magnetic particles from sub-libraries of by the generation of novel sub-libraries of magnetic nanoparticles and encoded particles. The sub-libraries are functionalized on demand are useful in the formation of arrays. The present invention is especially useful for performing multiplexed (parallel) assays for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of binding interactions of a number of analyte molecules in a sample.

Abstract: Devices capable applying microwave and RF electromagnetic radiation to specific molecular interactions between a capture molecule and a target analyte and capable of sensing the specific molecular interaction are provided. Specific molecular interactions include, for example, specific recognition events such as, receptor-ligand, antigen-antibody, DNA-protein, sugar-lectin, RNA-ribosome, and enzyme substrate interactions and nucleic acid-nucleic acid hybridizations. Additionally, methods are provided for detecting the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The presence or absence of the target analyte is detected, in part, through the detection of a binding complex between the target analyte and a capture molecule in the presence of microwave and or RF electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A magnetic particle comprises a polysaccharide matrix and a plurality of magnetic crystals dispersed in the matrix. A method for making magnetic particles comprises combining a basic solution with a metal ion solution and allowing the metal ions to oxidize to form magnetic crystals, and combining the magnetic crystals with a polysaccharide solution to form the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A composition can include a complex, where the complex includes a photoluminescent nanostructure and a polymer free from selective binding to an analyte, the polymer adsorbed on the photoluminescent nanostructure, and a selective binding site associated with the complex.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method and devices for identifying biological molecules and cells labeled by small magnetic particles and by optically active dyes. The labeled molecules are typically presented in a biological fluid but are then magnetically guided into narrow channels by a sequential process of magnetically trapping and releasing the magnetic labels that is implemented by sequential synchronized reversing the magnetic fields of a regular array of patterned magnetic devices that exert forces on the magnetic particles. These devices, which may be bonded to a substrate, can be formed as parallel magnetic strips adjacent to current carrying lines or can be substantially of identical structure to trilayered MTJ cells. Once the magnetically labeled molecules have been guided into the appropriate channels, their optical labels can be detected by a process of optical excitation and de-excitation. The molecules are thereby identified and counted.

Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyzes. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyzes requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyzes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device and method for improvement of sleep testing and sleep therapy using acoustic data to examine various aspects of a subject's sleep quality. More particularly, the method and device of the present invention includes the use of an acoustic actuator and an acoustic sensor to acoustically monitor the state of a subject's airway during sleep in order to determine airway obstructions and their locations as they relate to, among other variables, a subject's sleep stage, body position and sleep quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the detection of target components (102) in a sample with the help of indicator particles (101) distributed in said sample. The distance (d) between indicator particles (101) and a contact surface (112) is determined after the target components could bind to the contact surface and/or the indicator particles. Thus it is possible to detect how many target components (102) are bound without a need for a binding between indicator particles (101) and contact surface (112). Optionally the indicator particles (101) can be affected by a modulated force, e.g. via an electromagnet (141). The determination of the distance (d) between indicator particles (101) and contact surface (112) may for example be achieved by frustrated total internal reflection, measurement of magnetic fields, or FRET.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and inexpensive assays for the detection of virtually any analyte in any sample that is in liquid form or that can be solubilized. The assays utilize the fluid dynamics of drop evaporation whereby soluble materials, including analytes and particles binding thereto, are drawn to the edge of the drop and ultimately form a concentrated residual ring. The presence or absence of certain reagents can then be detected through a number of different approaches.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target within a population of molecules comprising: contacting a plurality of labeled probe molecules with the population of molecules potentially containing a target of the probe molecules; acquiring a probe specific signal emitted by said labeled probe molecules that bound to said target together with a background signal; preferentially modulating said probe specific signal by at least one of modulating said acquisition and modulating an emission of said probe specific signal; and detecting said probe specific signal over said background signal using said preferential modulation.

Abstract: The invention provides assay particles useful, for example, for detecting analytes and binding molecule interactions. One type of assay particle includes a core portion encased by a shell portion, wherein the shell portion comprises an inorganic phosphor that binds selectively to a target molecule. Another type of an assay particle includes a core portion encased by a shell portion, and a coat portion covering the shell portion, wherein the coat portion comprises an inorganic phosphor that binds selectively to a target molecule. A further type of assay particle includes a core portion encased by a shell portion, and a coat portion covering the shell portion, wherein the coat portion comprises an inorganic phosphor and a target selective binding moiety, and wherein the assay particle is buoyant in aqueous media.

Abstract: The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable.

Abstract: A sample preparation device and associated method is provided for preparing samples according to an assay protocol. A cell deposition module deposits a sample on each a plurality of assay devices supported by a support device. An epitope retrieval module deposits a reagent on each of the samples. Each of the samples is brought to a selected temperature. A heating device, corresponding to each of the assay devices, directly interacts with the corresponding assay device may be used to heat each assay device to the selected temperature, in conjunction with the epitope retrieval module depositing the reagent on each of the samples. A staining module deposits a staining reagent on each of the samples, and removes excess staining reagent. The staining, epitope retrieval, and cell deposition modules cooperate with the support device and heating devices to form a unitary sample preparation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying biomolecules or for analyzing whether an aqueous phase contains biomolecules by means of magnetic separation. The invention further relates to uses, to devices, and to kits that relate to the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Method for detecting a material of interest, usually an antibody or an antigen on a red blood cell, in a liquid, by observing the potential antigen/antibody reaction products in a novel way. Reaction products are deposited on a magnetic substrate and will exhibit different properties depending upon whether or not the antigen/antibody reaction has taken place. An antigen/antibody reaction product adheres tenaciously to itself and the substrate while the deposit of any unreacted magnetically tagged material is weakly adhering and easily disrupted and dislodged under a disruptive force which would be insufficient to dislodge the reacted deposit. This difference in cohesive property provides the means by which a positive result is distinguished from a negative result.