Abstract: A sensor and method for making a sensor includes providing a substrate having an adhesion layer with a first functional group operatively associated with a sol-gel composition having a second functional group, and at least one linker material for connecting the first functional group to the second functional group. In another embodiment, a sensor and method for making the sensor includes providing a sol-gel layer operatively associated with a sol-gel precursor solution that includes at least one co-polymer and at least one solvent adapted to resist the deformation of the sol-gel layer by decreasing evaporation, decreasing cross-linking, increasing intermolecular forces, or increasing elasticity.

Abstract: A nanoscale biomolecule sensor includes a nanoscale sensor element connected between a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the nanoscale sensor element coated with a capture agent. The sensor includes an electrode arrangement operable to establish a temporary electric field in the vicinity of the nanoscale sensor element, the temporary electric field oriented to move biomolecules of interest and other biomolecules having the same charge polarity as the biomolecules of interest toward the nanoscale sensor element where the biomolecules of interest specifically bind with the capture agent, the biomolecules of interest bound to the capture agent having an electric charge that changes an electrical property of the nanoscale sensor element measurable between the electrical terminals.

Abstract: Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) sample substrates, methods of fabricating MALDI sample substrates, methods of ionizing a sample, and mass spectrometry systems including MALDI sample substrates, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bio-molecule resistant surfaces for use in assays, particularly in assay devices such as arrays and microfluidic devices. The biomolecule resistant surface of the present invention are prepared by coating a substrate with hydrophilic terminated alkoxysilanes having formula (A): wherein R is an alkyl group of a size that allows for sufficient hydrolysis and n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is a hydrophilic moiety; LC is a C1 to a C10 linker chain consisting of a group selected from alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl and m is 1, 2, or 3; R2 is a C1 to a C7 alkyl group and x is 0, 1, or 2; and m+n+x is equal to 4.

Abstract: A packing material for a chromatography column is described. The packing material comprises a support structure. The packing material also comprises a stationary phase adjacent to the support structure and comprising a carbon nanotube material.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of analyzing a sample. In general, the methods involve: a) contacting a sample with an array of capture agents; and b) reading the array to detect the presence of a post-translational modification indicator and an analyte-detection moiety. The analytes of the sample may be contacted with the post-translational modification indicator and analyte-detection moiety at any point in the subject methods. Also provided is a system and kit for performing the subject methods.

Abstract: A sample support for a mass spectrometry system is described. The sample support comprises a substrate and a set of carbon nanotube regions adjacent to the substrate and configured to promote ionization of a sample on the sample support.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of evaluating a feature on a polypeptide array. In general, the method involves reading a polypeptide array under intrinsic fluorescence-detecting conditions to produce data and assessing the data to evaluate the the feature. The invention finds use in a variety of medical and research applications.

Abstract: A sample support for ionizing a sample is described. The sample support comprises a reflective nanostructure material for reflecting incident light to ionize the sample on the sample support.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detection of a target molecule. The apparatus includes a probe labeled with a transition metal-ligand complex that hybridizes with the target to form an initial complex, a metal ion for doping the initial complex and forming a final complex, and a potential means for providing a potential to the final complex to produce a detectable signal indicating the presence of the target after redox reaction. The method of the invention teaches the steps of hybridizing a probe with an attached label to the target to produce an initial complex, adding a metal ion to the initial complex to form a final complex and applying a potential to the final complex to produce a measurable signal.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that produces analyte ions for detection by a detector. The apparatus includes a matrix based ion source having a target substrate including an aromatic compound and a carbon nanotube material for producing analyte ions, an ion transport system adjacent to the matrix based ion source for transporting analyte ions from the matrix based ion source; and an ion detector downstream from the ion transport system for detecting the analyte ions. The invention also provides a method for producing and detecting the analyte ions.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detection of a target molecule. The apparatus includes a probe labeled with a transition metal-ligand complex that hybridizes with the target to form an initial complex, a metal ion for doping the initial complex and forming a final complex, and a potential means for providing a potential to the final complex to produce a detectable signal indicating the presence of the target after redox reaction. The method of the invention teaches the steps of hybridizing a probe with an attached label to the target to produce an initial complex, adding a metal ion to the initial complex to form a final complex and applying a potential to the final complex to produce a measurable signal.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that produces analyte ions for detection by a detector. The apparatus includes a matrix based ion source having a target substrate including a carbon nanotube material for producing analyte ions, an ion transport system adjacent to the matrix based ion source for transporting analyte ions from the matrix based ion source; and an ion detector downstream from the ion transport system for detecting the analyte ions. The invention also provides a method for producing and detecting the analyte ions.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detection of a target molecule. The apparatus includes a probe labeled with a transition metal-ligand complex that hybridizes with the target to form an initial complex, a metal ion for doping the initial complex and forming a final complex, and a potential means for providing a potential to the final complex to produce a detectable signal indicating the presence of the target after redox reaction. The method of the invention teaches the steps of hybridizing a probe with an attached label to the target to produce an initial complex, adding a metal ion to the initial complex to form a final complex and applying a potential to the final complex to produce a measurable signal.

Abstract: An array hybridization apparatus and method. The apparatus employs a first substrate that contacts and attaches to an array slide, a second substrate that contacts and attaches to a gasket slide, and a separation means for separating the first substrate from the second substrate. Methods of disassembly of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detection of a biopolymer. The biopolymer may include nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA that hybridize upon association with other molecules. The method of the invention teaches the steps of adding a metal to a biopolymer to form an initial complex and ramping a voltage through the initial complex to produce a detectable signal.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition of matter and method that utilizes energy transfer between one or more donor and acceptor molecules. The composition of matter includes an encapsulation vesicle having a matrix, a surface coating of an organo-metallic complex and a transparent protection layer. The transparent protection layer is capable of modification by addition of biomolecules to the surface in order to bind other molecules. The proximity of the bound biomolecules to the protective layer allows for energy transfer from a donor molecule internal to the protection layer to an acceptor molecule outside the protection layer. The protection layer acts to diminish the effects of collisional quenching on the donor molecules caused by ubiquitous small molecules such as molecular oxygen. The application also teaches a method of making and applying the complexes to immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a protein bioarray that includes providing a substrate comprising a solid support and a surface modification layer bound to the solid support. The surface modification layer includes a first moiety having the structure —Si—R1 and a second moiety having the structure —Si-L-R2, wherein R1 is a chemically inert moiety selected from the group consisting of C3 to C30 alkyl and benzyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms, L is a linking group, and R2 is a chemically inert hydrophilic moiety. The method of producing the protein bioarray further includes providing at least two solutions, wherein each solution contains a probe protein. In the method, each of the solutions is then deposited at its own discrete site on the substrate. The probe proteins deposited on the substrate become non-covalently bound to the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional chemical-analysis system includes a longitudinally extending iso-electric focusing (IEF) channel and transversely extending high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) channels. Piezo-electric pumps force sample fluid from the IEF channel to form jets as it exits through respective pump nozzles. The jets then enter the HPLC channels for parallel second-dimension separations. Alternatively, the jets can be used to “print” sample onto a moving medium to provide a two-dimensional time-vs.-band-position distribution of sample components.

Abstract: A method is provided of depositing a plurality of droplets of a bioactive material at a first concentration in a fluid to form a spot on a substrate, the spot having a first bioactivity level; and controlling the plurality of droplets to control the size of the spot and control the bioactivity level of the spot to not be equal to the number of droplets times the first bioactivity level.