Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a mid-infrared region image of a specimen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mid-infrared region laser that generates a first light beam, and a stage adapted to carry a specimen to be scanned. An optical assembly focuses the first light beam to a point on the specimen. A first light detector measures a first intensity of light leaving the point on the specimen. A stage actuator assembly causes the specimen to move relative to the point in two dimensions. A controller forms a mid-infrared region image from the first intensity. The image can be based on reflected or transmitted light. The maximum size of the imaged area is determined by a scanning assembly that moves in a first direction relative to the stage, the stage moving in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid probe for detecting a polynucleotide. The probe contains a region that base-pairs with a polynucleotide to form a duplex and a Tm enhancement domain that increases the stability of the duplex. The Tm enhancement domain may contain a nucleotide clamp and/or a hairpin structure, for example. Also provided is an array of subject nucleic acid probes bound to a surface of the solid support. Methods of using a subject probe to assess polynucleotides, e.g., small RNAs in a sample are provided, as are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A kit for optically detecting proteins, in particular lipoproteins, in a sample, the kit comprising: a chip for performing a separation of the proteins, in particular of the lipoproteins, wherein the chip comprises at least one well for receiving the sample, and a separation channel coupled to the at least one well and being adapted for separating different compounds and a marker dye which contains a polymethine of the general formula (I) wherein Z is a substituted derivative of benzooxazole, benzodiazole, 2,3,3-trimethylindolinine, 2,3,3-trimethyl-4,5-benzo-3H-indolinine, 3- and 4-picoline, lipidine, chinadine and 9-methylacridine derivatives with the general formula IIa or IIb or IIc and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Si, N-alkyl and C(alkyl)2, n is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, R1 to R14 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, linear or branched alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, hydroxy, carboxy, amine, alkyl-substituted am

Abstract: A valve for use in high-performance liquid chromatography has a spherical seat and a ball that, when it abuts against the seat, constrains a fluid from flowing through the valve and is capable of moving axially in order to allow the fluid to flow through the valve. The spherical seat has beveled outer faces in order that a force acting on the valve along the axial direction will generate a force acting on the ball. The inclination of the beveled outer face is such that a force acting on the ball counteracts a force exerted on the spherical seat by the ball and essentially compensates it.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, kits and compositions for the detection of an analyte. In the methods of the invention, a binding molecule coupled to a first polymerase is incubated with a modified polynucleotide template to form a copy of the modified polynucleotide template without any modified nucleotides. The unmodified copy is detected in a second amplification/primer extension reaction using a second polymerase that is unable to amplify the modified polynucleotide template. Detection of the unmodified copy is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the analyte in the sample. In place of the binding molecule coupled to a first polymerase, a pair of analyte-specific probes can also be used. The first analyte specific probe comprises a first binding moiety and a first portion of a first polymerase and the second analyte specific probe comprises a second binding moiety and a second portion of the first polymerase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using the same to obtain a chemical array layout are provided. Also provided are computer program products for executing the subject methods.

Abstract: Superficially porous hybrid particles include hybrid solid cores that each contain an inorganic material and an organic material; and porous hybrid outer shells each include the inorganic and organic materials and having ordered pores, wherein the ordered pores have a median pore size ranges from about 15 to about 1000 ? with a pore size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 50% of the median pore size and produce at least one X-ray diffraction peak between 0.01° and 10° of a 2? scan range; wherein the particles have a median size range from about 0.5 ?m to about 100 ?m with a particle size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 15% of the median particle size, wherein the inorganic material comprises a metal oxide selected from silica, alumina, titania or zirconia.

Abstract: An optical emission spectrometer system includes a light source and a dichroic beam combiner. The light source emits first light in a first direction and second light in a second direction different from the first direction. The dichroic beam combiner receives the first light via a first light path and the second light via a second light path, reflects a portion the first light into an entrance aperture of a light detection and measurement apparatus, and transmits a portion of the second light into the entrance aperture, enabling analysis and measurement of both first and second light characteristics simultaneously. The portion of the first light reflected into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a first range of wavelengths and the portion of the second light transmitted into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.

Abstract: An ion processing device includes electrically conductive vacuum manifold segments serially positioned and enclosing a volume along an axis. The segments are electrically isolated from each other and independently addressable by a voltage source. An ion optics device is positioned in the volume. A voltage differential between each manifold segment and the ion optics device is maintained below a maximum value by applying different voltages to respective manifold segments. The voltage differential may be controlled to avoid voltage breakdown in a low-pressure, high-voltage gas environment. The ion optics device may in some cases be an ion mobility drift cell.

Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) spectrometer and a method for operating the same is disclosed. The spectrometer includes an event extractor, a streaming processor, and a FIFO buffer. The event extractor generates a ion event record corresponding to each detected ion, the ion event record including an intensity of a plurality of aliases for that detected ion. The streaming processor includes a memory array that stores a TOF spectrum and a probability processor that provides a probability for each alias in each received ion event record and updates the TOF spectrum based on the probabilities. A FIFO buffer receives each of the ion event records after the TOF spectrum has been updated and outputs the oldest ion event record to the streaming processor when a new ion event record is processed by the streaming processor.

Abstract: A method of deprotecting a solid support bound polynucleotide includes the step of contacting the polynucleotide with a composition comprising a diamine under conditions sufficient to deprotect the 2?-protected ribonucleotide residue. The solid support bound polynucleotide has at least one 2?-protected ribonucleotide residue, which has the following structure: wherein BP is a protected or unprotected heterocycle; R12 is a protecting group selected from a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, an aryl, and a substituted aryl; X is O or S; and PG is a thionocarbamate protecting group.

Abstract: A fitting for coupling a capillary to another component of a fluidic device is disclosed. The fitting includes a ferrule configured for enclosing a front part of the capillary and for contributing to a fluidic sealing between the fitting and the other component; a ferrule chuck configured for enclosing a back part of the capillary; and a housing configured for accommodating at least a part of the ferrule chuck and for pushing the ferrule chuck against the ferrule.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sequence comprising a SNP site is provide. In general terms, the method comprises: a) contacting a first DNA sample with a first restriction enzyme to provide DNA fragments, wherein: i) the first restriction enzyme cleaves the sequence only if a first allele of a SNP is present at the SNP site; b) end-labeling the DNA fragments to produce an end-labeled sample; c) hybridizing the end-labeled sample to an array comprising a probe sequence; and d) comparing the amount of hybridization between the digested sample and the probe sequence to a reference signal.

Abstract: A method comprises: aligning a plasma torch within an iris cavity of an iris along a first axis between first and second iris slots having heights less than 70% of the diameter of the torch; and generating an electromagnetic field having field lines along a second axis. The field comprises a component that is substantially transverse to the first direction. An apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A sample probe includes a tip including a distal end for penetrating a cellular membrane, an opening located at or proximal to the distal end, and tip microchannels extending through the tip and communicating with the opening; and a body adjoining the tip and including body microchannels, wherein at least one of the body microchannels communicates with at least one of the tip microchannels. A method for sampling intracellular material includes inserting a probe tip through a cellular membrane; aspirating intracellular material from the cell, through an opening of the tip, and into a first microchannel of the tip; flowing isolator fluid from a second microchannel of the tip into the first microchannel to form a plug of intracellular material; and aspirating the plug and the isolator fluid through the first microchannel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a large nucleic acid having a defined sequence in vivo. The method combines recombineering techniques with a CRISPR/Cas system to permit multiple insertions of defined sequences into a target nucleic acid at one time, double stranded cleavage of target nucleic acids in which the defined sequences were not successfully inserted, and selection of successful recombinant cells. The method further includes repeating the process one or more times, using a successful recombinant from one round as the host cell for the next round.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electromagnetic waveguide; an iris structure providing an iris in the waveguide. The iris structure may define an iris hole, a first iris slot at a first side of the iris hole, and a second iris slot at a second side of the iris hole. A plasma torch is disposed within the iris hole. An electric field in the waveguide changes direction from the first iris slot to the second iris slot. The plasma torch generates a plasma which is substantially symmetrical around a longitudinal axis of the plasma torch, such that the plasma may have a substantially toroidal shape. In some embodiments, a dielectric material is disposed in the iris hole, outside of the plasma torch. In some embodiments, the height of at least one of the iris slots is greater at the ends thereof than in the middle.

Abstract: An apparatus is used for determining at least one parameter relating to an elongate member disposed within a vessel. The apparatus includes at least one measurement unit having a light emitting component and a corresponding light receiving component. The light receiving component is positioned apart from the light emitting component such that the elongate member is positionable between the light emitting component and the light receiving component. Additionally, the light emitting component is adapted to emit light towards the light receiving component, and the light receiving component is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to the light received from the light emitting component. A method for determining at least one parameter relating to the elongate member disposed within the vessel is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of target enrichment or selection of nucleic acids using hybridization, which can be used in, e.g., next-generation sequencing.

Abstract: A method for labelling a tissue section is provided. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: (a) labeling a formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue section using a first set of labeling reagents that comprises a first primary antibody and a first labeled secondary antibody; (b) treating the labeled tissue with a protease, thereby digesting the first primary antibody and/or the first labeled secondary antibody and separating the label from the FFPE tissue section; (c) washing the tissue section to remove the separated label and the protease; and (c) labeling the FFPE tissue section using a second set of labeling reagents that comprises a second primary antibody and a second labeled secondary antibody. A kit for performing the method is also provided.