Abstract: A method of conducting an assay for a set of targets, the method comprising: providing a set of targets; subjecting each target of the set of targets to a recognition event, in which each target is uniquely recognized by and bound to a recognition element associated with a code from a set of codes, thereby yielding a set of coded targets comprising the target and the recognition element; subjecting each recognition element of the set of coded targets to a transformation event, in which a molecular transformation of each recognition element produces a modified recognition element, thereby yielding a set of modified recognition elements comprising the code; subjecting each code of the set of modified recognition elements to an amplifying event, in which each code is amplified, thereby yielding a set of amplified codes; subjecting each amplified code of the set of amplified codes to a detection event, thereby determining the nucleic acid sequence of the code.

Abstract: A method for detecting different analytes includes mixing different analytes with sensing probes, wherein at least some of the sensing probes are specific to respective ones of the analytes. The analytes respectively are captured by the sensing probes that are specific to those analytes. Fluorophores respectively are coupled to sensing probes that captured respective analytes. The sensing probes are mixed with beads, wherein the beads are specific to respective ones of the sensing probes, and wherein the beads include different codes identifying the analytes to which those sensing probes are specific. The sensing probes respectively are coupled to beads that are specific to those sensing probes. The beads are identified that are coupled to the sensing probes that captured analytes using at least fluorescence from the fluorophores coupled to those sensing probes. The analytes that are captured are identified.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting an element. The method includes coupling an element-sugar complex to a substrate. The element-sugar complex includes an element coupled to a sugar. The method includes coupling a lectin to the sugar; detecting the lectin; and detecting the element using at least the detection of the lectin. A system is provided that includes a substrate, and an element-sugar complex coupled to the substrate. The element-sugar complex includes an element coupled to a sugar. The system includes a lectin coupled to the sugar; and detection circuitry to detect the element using at least detection of the lectin.

Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein include methods and compositions for the detection of target ligands on an array. In some embodiments, a capture probe specifically binds to a target ligand from a sample, the location of a bead comprising the capture probe in an array is determined, and the bead is decoded to identify the capture probe and the sample. In some embodiments, a barcode is indicative of a capture probe attached to a bead; and an index is indicative of a subpopulation of beads. Some embodiments relate to sequencing target polynucleotides from several different nucleic acids samples on a bead array.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.

Abstract: Methods of conducting an assay for measuring enzymatic modification of a substrate by a glycoprotein having enzymatic activity are provided. The methods include concentrating the glycoprotein having enzymatic activity by capturing the glycoproteins from the input sample on a solid support, washing the glycoproteins captured on a solid support to remove unbound portions of the input sample, adding an enzyme substrate to the output sample comprising glycoproteins having enzymatic activity, and measuring enzymatic modification of the substrate. In some examples, the capturing of the glycoprotein and subsequent washing steps are performed in one or more droplets in oil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of dispersing or circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at a portion of the plurality of droplet operations electrodes. A bead-containing droplet is provided on the droplet actuator in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. Beads are circulated in the droplet during incubation by conducting droplet operations on the droplet within a uniform region of the magnate field. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for conducting an assay, the method including: providing an input sample including glycoproteins; capturing glycoproteins from the input sample on a solid support; and washing the sample support to remove unbound portions of the input sample.

Abstract: A method of amplifying a nucleic acid, the method comprising cycling an amplification-ready droplet through a temperature gradient to locations within the temperature gradient suitable for effecting steps in an amplification reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of dispersing or circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at a portion of the plurality of droplet operations electrodes. A bead-containing droplet is provided on the droplet actuator in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. Beads are circulated in the droplet during incubation by conducting droplet operations on the droplet within a uniform region of the magnate field. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides droplet actuators and droplet actuator cassettes including reagent storage capabilities, as well as methods of making and using the droplet actuators and cassettes. The invention also provides continuous flow channel elements and techniques for using electrodes to manipulate droplets in flowing streams. The invention also discloses methods of separating compounds on a droplet actuator. Various other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of dispersing or circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at a portion of the plurality of droplet operations electrodes. A bead-containing droplet is provided on the droplet actuator in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. Beads are circulated in the droplet during incubation by conducting droplet operations on the droplet within a uniform region of the magnetic field wherein droplet operations do not allow magnetically responsive beads to be introduced into a region of the magnetic field which is sufficiently non-uniform to cause bead clumping resulting in a more homogenous distribution of the beads in the droplet. Other embodiments are also provided.