Abstract: A device includes a nano-structure made of electrically conductive material. The nano-structure is covered by a barrier coating comprising Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo, Sc, Y, Ge, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sr, Al, B, Ba, Bi, and/or Mg oxide in a thickness of at least about 1 nm. The barrier coating is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). A method of detecting a target compound uses the device for surface specifically creating an evanescent field, measuring the dielectric properties of a medium, detecting the presence or the concentration of a target compound, determining the primary structure of a target compound, determining a deviation of the target compound from a control value, amplifying a target compound, or monitoring the amplification of a target compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequencing with reagent cycling on the wiregrid. The sequencing approach suggested with which allows to use a single fluid with no washing steps. Based on strong optical confinement and of excitation light and of cleavage light, the sequencing reaction can be read-out without washing the surface. Stepwise sequencing is achieved by using nucleotides with optically cleavable blocking moietys. After read-out the built in nucleotide is deblocked by cleavage light through the same substrate. This ensures that only bound nucleotides will be unblocked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital pathology. In order provide enhanced use of available imaging radiation, a digital pathology scanner (10) is provided that comprises a radiation arrangement (12), a sample receiving device (14), an optics arrangement (16), and a sensor unit (18). The radiation arrangement comprises a source (20) that provides electromagnetic radiation (22) for radiating a sample received by the sample receiving device. Further, the optics arrangement comprises at least one of the group of a lens (24) and a filter (26) that are arranged between the sample receiving device and the sensor unit. The sensor unit is configured to provide image data of the radiated sample. Still further, a lens array arrangement (28) is provided that comprises at least one lens array (30) arranged between the source and the sample receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a spatial proximity of a first and a second epitope (11, 21) of a protein or of a first and a second protein (10, 20) of a protein complex (1) in a sample of a subject. The method comprises binding a first binding member (30) having a first oligonucleotide (31) conjugated thereto to the first epitope (11), binding a second binding member (40) having a second oligonucleotide (41) conjugated thereto to the second epitope (21), and determining whether a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) effect is present between a donor fluorophore (32) and an acceptor fluorophore (42), which are associated with the first oligonucleotide (31) and the second oligonucleotide (41), wherein the presence of the FRET effect indicates a spatial proximity of the first and the second oligonucleotide (31, 41) and, thus, the spatial proximity of the first and the second epitope (11, 21).

Abstract: The application relates to a sample holder (110) and a system (100). The application also relates to a method for processing a biological sample (S) and use of the sample holder or of the system in an analytical method or a diagnostic method. The sample holder (110) comprises a tubular member (111) with a wall that is at least locally transparent and at least locally permeable for reagents, wherein the tubular member consists at least partially of a transparent material.

Abstract: The present invention primarily relates to a method for stratification of a patient for assessing the suitability of a therapy. The invention also relates to a method for the prognosis of the outcome of a disease of a patient and a method for the prediction and/or detection of therapy resistance of a patient towards a therapy. Furthermore, the invention relates to a novel kit, and corresponding uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the specific selection of target molecules, wherein immobilized capture molecules can be organized in a microarray in the form of spots or lines. In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method of specifically selecting target molecules in a reaction zone, as well as the use of such a device for specifically selecting target molecules, e.g. for target enrichment, or microarray based genome selection (MGS).

Abstract: Apparatus for producing thin layers of a fluid sample for analysis, has a two dimensional array of analysis chambers (45), and a branching pattern of entry channels (25) coupled to the array to enable the analysis chambers to be filled in parallel. The analysis chambers are planar with a height less than that of the entry channels so as to produce the thin layers when filled with the fluid sample. The array enables more spacers between chambers in a given area, so that variations in height of the chambers can be reduced, while still enabling fast filling of the chambers. The analysis chambers can be suitable for capillary filling by a specified fluid sample such as blood. A pattern of exit channels (35) can be coupled to the array. The entry and exit channels can form comb patterns, fingers of the comb patterns being interdigitated, and the analysis chambers being arranged between the interdigitated fingers of the comb patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device (110) and a corresponding detection apparatus (100) that may for example be used for monitoring the replication of nucleotide sequences at a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the optical device (110) comprises a waveguide substrate (130) with a wiregrid (140) on a bottom surface (132), wherein apertures (141) of the wiregrid are in at least one direction (x) smaller than a characteristic wavelength (?) of input light (IL). Moreover, a diffractive structure (120) is disposed on the opposite surface (131) of the substrate (130) for coupling input light (IL) into the substrate (130) such that constructive interference occurs at the apertures (141). Thus evanescent waves can be generated with high efficiency in these apertures, allowing for example for a surface-specific excitation of fluorescence (FL) that can be sensed by a detector (160).

Abstract: A filter element and method for retaining particles of a medium, for example rare cells of blood. The filter element includes at least one opening that has an elongate cross section and/or a cross section that decreases in a flow direction. The filter element may be bordered by a transparent wall. The filter element may be provided with a plurality of elongate openings of a stepwise decreasing cross section that are arranged on a common transparent slide. The filter element permits high flow rates to be realized throughout the filtering process and the retained particles are immediately ready for visual inspection without a need for a further transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting magnetic particles from a sample includes placing the sample near a liquid carrier, which is immiscible with it, in a configuration stable under the influence of gravity. The magnetic particles are moved by a magnetic field from the sample and into the carrier. The magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the carrier and will therefore form agglomerates in the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a sample separation device (400) for the separation of material from a region of interest, the “sample-ROI” (RS), in a biological sample (11). An embodiment of the invention comprises the application of a structured cover sheet (20) that has an aperture (24) at the sample-ROI to the sample (11). Sample material can then selectively be removed from the sample-ROI through the aperture (24) in the cover sheet. The cover sheet (20) may for example be a tape with an adhesive on one side. The aperture (24) in the cover sheet (20) may automatically be cut out after the selection of a region of interest in a (microscopic) image (I) of the sample. Alternatively, the structured cover sheet (20) maybe produced by printing or plotting. Moreover, sample material may preferably be removed by lysing and may further be subjected to molecular diagnostics (MDx).

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro valve for use in a biosensor, a micro fluidic device, use of such a device, and a micro fluidic element. Biosensors are used for detection of molecules and/or ions, such as protein, drug, DNA, RNA, hormone, glucose, insulin, enzyme, fungus, bacterium, etc., in a biological sample. The sensor can be used for diagnostic application, but for instance also drugs, either therapeutic or abuse, may be detected in for instance blood, urine and saliva.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (100) for the processing of nucleotide sequences. An apparatus (100) according to an embodiment of the invention comprises an array of electrodes (120a,120b, . . . ), wherein at least one nanoball (NB) comprising replications of a nucleotide sequence (1,2) of interest is attached to an electrode to which only one nanoball (NB) of that size can be attached at the same time. Thus a unique association of electrodes (120a,120b, . . . ) to nucleotide sequences (1,2) of interest can be achieved. The nanoballs (NB) are preferably produced by rolling circle amplification. Application of attractive and/or repulsive electric potentials to the electrodes (120a,120b, . . . ) can be used to control the attachment of nanoballs (NB). The measurement of changes in the capacitance of electrodes (120a,120b, . . .

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a nano-structure and a corresponding method of manufacturing, wherein said nano-structure is made of electrically conductive material and wherein said nano-structure is covered by a barrier coating comprising Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo, Sc, Y, Ge, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sr, Al, B, Ba, Bi, and/or Mg oxide in a thickness of at least about 1 nm, wherein said barrier coating is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The present invention also relates to a method of detecting a target compound in such a device, the use of such a device for surface specifically creating an evanescent field, measuring the dielectric properties of a medium, detecting the presence or the concentration of a target compound, determining the primary structure of a target compound, determining a deviation of the target compound from a control value, amplifying a target compound, or monitoring the amplification of a target compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge (100) and an associated apparatus (150) for preparing a biological sample, particularly for staining a tissue or cell sample (1). The cartridge (100) comprises a reaction chamber (116) that can be closed by a substrate (140) carrying the sample (1), wherein the reaction chamber (116) is further connected to a fluidic inlet system (113,115) and a fluidic outlet system (123,125). When the substrate (140) closes the reaction chamber, the fluidic inlet system, the reaction chamber, and the fluidic outlet system constitute a fluidic system that is closed to the environment with respect to the exchange of liquids. A pressure-driven flow through the reaction chamber (116) may for example be induced by the actuation of deformable membranes (114,124).

Abstract: A micro fluidics system includes a closed, expandable volume for mixing a fluid, and a flexible membrane for allowing mixing in the closed, expandable volume. The system further includes a surface having at least one channel for fluidically coupling a first side of the surface to the closed, expandable volume on a second side of the surface. The channel includes a first channel opening fluidically coupling the first side of the surface to the channel and a second channel opening fluidically coupling the channel to the closed, expandable volume. The expandable volume is defined by the flexible membrane closing the second channel opening when there is no fluid in the expandable volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1000) for the examination of a sample, for example a slice of biological tissue (11) on a microscope slide (10). The method comprises the generation of an image (I) of the sample (11), the analysis of said image with respect to at least one sample-parameter, the selection of an image-ROI (region of interest) (RI) in said image (I), and the isolation of a corresponding sample-ROI (RS) from the sample (11). Molecular assays are then executed with the isolated sample-ROI (RS), and the data obtained from these assays are linked to the sample-parameter. The sample-parameter may particularly relate to the local amount of a particular cell-type or tissue-type.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for performing detection of a substance in a liquid sample includes a cavity (24) formed above a sensor surface area (22) of a sensor (18). The cavity (24) extends at the first side of a base plate (10) from a first area (32), where the cavity overlaps a first lateral channel part (30), to a second area (34), where the cavity overlaps a second lateral channel part (36). The second lateral channel part (36) includes a lateral channel part formed by a porous capillary suction structure (13). The cavity (24) forms a flow path (42) from the first lateral channel part (30) along the sensor surface area (22) to the second lateral channel part (36).

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for placement onto a parallel pneumatic interface plate of a pneumatic instrument is provided. The cartridge includes a three dimensional fluid channel, in which a fluid is to be transported, a flexible membrane that spans a plane and is part of an outer surface of the cartridge. The three dimensional fluid channel is spatially defined in three dimensions by internal walls of the cartridge and by the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is in a ground state, when no pressure or vacuum is applied to the flexible membrane. However, the flexible membrane is pneumatically deflectable from the ground state perpendicular to the plane of the flexible membrane in two directions when the cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate.