Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogeneously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogeneously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogenously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogenously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: A sensing system and method for biomolecular sensing. The system includes: a receptor for the at least one target, the receptor including a substrate and a transparent coating on the substrate having front and back surfaces; a light source positioned to direct at least a portion of light from the light source toward the coating on the receptor; and a detector positioned to capture the light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the coating, the detector identifying presence of at least one target based on a change in the interference pattern of captured light.

Abstract: A sensing system and method for biomolecular sensing. The system includes: a receptor for the at least one target, the receptor including a substrate and a transparent coating on the substrate having front and back surfaces; a light source positioned to direct at least a portion of light from the light source toward the coating on the receptor; and a detector positioned to capture the light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the coating, the detector identifying presence of at least one target based on a change in the interference pattern of captured light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of an otolaryngologic pathogen in a biological sample, and a sensor device, sensor chip, and nucleic acid probes useful for detecting otolaryngologic pathogens.

Abstract: A system and method for biomolecular sensing are disclosed. The system includes a receptor for a target, a source of p-polarized light positioned to direct light toward the receptor in a manner effective to result in a condition of near perfect interference in the absence of target binding; and a detector positioned to measure any light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the coating. The receptor includes a substrate and a translucent coating on the substrate having front and back surfaces, wherein the incident angle for one of the substrate/coating interface and the medium/coating (probe) interface is greater than its Brewster angle and the incident angle for the other interface is less than its Brewster angle.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. The methods and kits involve the use of negatively charged nanoparticles and the electrostatic interactions between the metal nanoparticles and nucleic acid molecules. The methods rely upon the differential interaction of ss-nucleic acids and ds-nucleic acids with the negatively charged nanoparticles that differentiate between tagged oligonucleotide probes that hybridize with a target and those that do not. Improvements in sensitivity for a fluorescent variation of the method have been obtained by including a step of separating the ds-nucleic acids in solution from the negatively charged nanoparticles to which ss-nucleic acids have been bound, and then detecting for the presence of the ds-target nucleic acids in the solution. The same separation protocols can be used to make the detection approach viable with electrochemical or radioactive tags.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. The methods and kits involve the use of metal nanoparticles and the electrostatic interactions between the metal nanoparticles and nucleic acid molecules. The methods rely upon the differential interaction of ss-nucleic acids and ds-nucleic acids with the metal nanoparticles. A colorimetric detection approach utilizes the ability of ss-nucleic acids electrostatically associated with metal nanoparticles in a colloidal suspension to stabilize them against aggregation. A fluorescent approach involving tagged ss-oligonucleotide probes translates the differential adsorption of ss-nucleic acids on metal nanoparticles to differential quenching of a fluorescent tag on probes that have not hybridized with targets.

Abstract: A sensing system and method for biomolecular sensing. The system includes: a receptor for the at least one target, the receptor including a substrate and a transparent coating on the substrate having front and back surfaces; a light source positioned to direct at least a portion of light from the light source toward the coating on the receptor; and a detector positioned to capture the light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the coating, the detector identifying presence of at least one target based on a change in the interference pattern of captured light.