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: 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: The present invention generally relates to enzymes and other proteins resistant to denaturation, and techniques for making and using the same. In one aspect, lysine and/or other charged residues within an enzyme are reacted in some fashion, which can render the enzyme more resistant to denaturation. For example, the lysine residue may be neutralized by acetylating the residue, for instance, by exposure to acetic anhydride. In some aspects, the enzyme, after reaction, may be relatively resistant to degradation when placed in a harsh environment, for example, when exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate at a concentration of at least about 2.5 mM in Tris-Gly buffer. The enzyme may still be susceptible to denaturation in some cases, but at a much slower rate (e.g., the denaturation time constant may be higher). Other aspects of the invention are directed to enzymes prepared in such fashion, methods of promoting or using such enzymes, kits involving such enzymes, and the like.