Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: An integrated desktop analytic device comprises a fluidics station coupled to a confocal microscope detector, and a biochip is moved from the fluidics station to the detector without manual intervention of an operator.

Abstract: An analytical device has a housing that encloses a multi-substrate chip having a reference marker and a plurality of substrates, wherein the housing is configured such that the reference marker and the substrates are illuminated by respective light sources at different angles. Further contemplated analytical devices include a housing with a cavity in which a multi-substrate chip having a plurality of substrates is at least partially disposed, wherein at least one of the plurality of substrates is coupled to a carrier via a crosslinker that is disposed in a matrix.

Abstract: A biochip, a platform which composes the biochip, and a stage which composes the platform. The biochip is for detecting analytes in a test sample. The platform comprises a stage. The stage of the invention includes a carrier.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for an integrated micro array system (100) that allows fully automated sample processing and detection/quantification of nucleic acid and protein samples in a single analytical device, which may be configured to communicate data to a person other than the person operating the device. The integrated micro array system has a housing (110) in which robotics assembly (120) controls motion of automatic pipette (124) and second actuator (122) that control motion of the automatic actuator (123). Fluidics station (130) includes a plurality of multi-reagent packs (132). Sample station (140) comprises a plurality of sample vessels (142). Pipette tip storage area (150) and magazine holder (160) that includes a plurality of magazine (162). The system also comprise of a sample processing platform (170), a stringency station (181), and optical detector (180), and a data transfer device (190).

Abstract: A test kit and method includes amplification and extension primers that are selected to allow multiplex PCR and extension at increased specificity. Preferably, the extension primers include a tag that hybridizes with a capture probe on a biochip, wherein the tag is distinct from the target nucleic acid sequence to be analyzed. Further preferred kits include a biochip and various instructions.

Abstract: Improved assay systems comprise a substrate that is modified to include a solubilizing group and/or an at least binary solvent system to provide significantly enhanced signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio. In especially preferred aspects, the assay system is a chromogenic, electrochemical, and/or luminogenic assay system in which an indoxyl-type substrate has a solubilizing group covalently attached to the substrate and/or in which a polar and non-protic solvent is used as a co-solvent.

Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: An automatic pipette in an analytic device uses disposable pipette tips, and in which proper coupling of the pipette tip to the pipette, accurate volume of the aspirated fluid, and distance of the pipette tip to a biochip are determined using a plurality of sensors that are coupled to the automatic pipette.

Abstract: A detector for optical analysis of a biochip determines the focal position of a plurality of analytes on the biochip using one or more registration markers on the biochip, wherein the analytes and the registration marker are illuminated by different light sources. Therefore, contemplated configurations will significantly reduce overall focusing time and automate proper positioning of the biochip, while allowing to determine a focal position without photobleaching or other undesirable effects on optically labile compounds. Thus, automated analyses can be performed without manual user intervention.

Abstract: A container having a flexible wall receives a continuous flow of a biological fluid that includes a target antigen and emits a continuous flow of the biological fluid at least partially depleted from the target antigen. The container further comprises a compartment with magnetic beads coupled to an affinity marker that binds the target antigen, and the target antigen is separated from the biological fluid using a magnetic force and an automatic mechanical force, wherein at least one of the magnetic force and automatic mechanical force is transmitted through the flexible wall.

Abstract: An analytical device has a housing that encloses a multi-substrate chip having a reference marker and a plurality of substrates, wherein the housing is configured such that the reference marker and the substrates are illuminated by respective light sources at different angles. Further contemplated analytical devices include a housing with a cavity in which a multi-substrate chip having a plurality of substrates is at least partially disposed, wherein at least one of the plurality of substrates is coupled to a carrier via a crosslinker that is disposed in a matrix.

Abstract: A biochip, a platform which composes the biochip, and a stage which composes the platform. The biochip is for detecting analytes in a test sample. The platform comprises a stage. The stage of the invention includes a carrier.

Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: A container having a flexible wall receives a continuous flow of a biological fluid that includes a target antigen and emits a continuous flow of the biological fluid at least partially depleted from the target antigen. The container further comprises a compartment with magnetic beads coupled to an affinity marker that binds the target antigen, and the target antigen is separated from the biological fluid using a magnetic force and an automatic mechanical force, wherein at least one of the magnetic force and automatic mechanical force is transmitted through the flexible wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated sample analysis are provided in which a plurality actuators are involved in moving a samples from one compartment to another, and appropriate reactants are combined with the sample in one or more of the compartments. The actuators are preferably contained in a device that also has a detector, data reduction capabilities, and a printer. Contemplated signal detectors include a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, and a charge-coupled device. Steps contemplated to be performed automatically include aliquoting the sample, diluting the sample, contacting at least a portion of the sample with a reagent having a substantially selective binding towards the analyte. Contemplated reactants include sense and antisense nucleic acids, antibodies and antigens, solid-phases such as paramagnetic beads, reagents, other substrates, and wash solutions.

Abstract: Chemiluminescence-based assays that detect or quantify determine NAD(P)-linked dehydrogenases and oxidoreductases, or the cofactors, or detect or quantify substrates, intermediates or products of reactions catalyzed by these enzymes by coupling the enzyme reactions to luminescence generating systems. The assays include the steps of reacting a peroxidase with the NAD(P)H produced in a reaction catalyzed by an oxidoreductase that requires NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P)H as a cofactor; and then adding a chemiluminescent moiety to produce chemiluminescence from which the analyte, such as an amino acid or sugar, the activity of the oxidoreductase or NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P) analyte, is determined. The assays are particularly useful for determining amino acids and sugars and, thus, are useful for quantitating amino acids and sugars in foods and for screening tissues body fluids, particularly blood, for diagnosing and managing metabolic defects in neonates and in adults.

Abstract: Chemiluminescence-based assays that detect or quantify enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of indoxyl esters are provided. The assays are based on the hydrolysis of indoxyl esters by enzymes of interest, such as alkaline phosphatase and others that are used as labels in immunoassays or nucleic acid hybridization reactions, or are present in body fluids. The assays include the steps of reacting a test sample with an indoxyl ester and, then, immediately or within a short time, typically less than about fifteen minutes, measuring the resulting chemiluminescence. The resulting chemiluminescence may be amplified by adding a chemiluminescence-amplifying reagent, such as horseradish peroxidase or lucigenin to the reaction.