Abstract: Methods and articles for analyzing nucleotide sequences of nucleic acid molecules, e.g., using multiple probes per spot of an array, are described. In some embodiments, the methods and articles can reduce the numbers of arrays necessary to probe regions of interest in a biological sample, and/or increase the resolution at which biological events are probed. In some cases, these methods exploit the vertical aspect of an array in order to decrease the number of arrays or spots required for an assay. These probes may be in the form of compound probes, which comprise at least first and second probes, including first and second nucleotide sequences capable of hybridizing to first and second target nucleotide sequences, respectively, in a nucleic acid molecule of interest.

Abstract: Methods and articles for analyzing nucleotide sequences of nucleic acid molecules, e.g., using multiple probes per spot of an array, are described. In some embodiments, the methods and articles can reduce the numbers of arrays necessary to probe regions of interest in a biological sample, and/or increase the resolution at which biological events are probed. In some cases, these methods exploit the vertical aspect of an array in order to decrease the number of arrays or spots required for an assay. These probes may be in the form of compound probes, which comprise at least first and second probes, including first and second nucleotide sequences capable of hybridizing to first and second target nucleotide sequences, respectively, in a nucleic acid molecule of interest.

Abstract: A method of MALDI sample plate processing includes capturing an image of a plate positioned outside a mass spectrometer. The image is processed to identify one or more attributes of an individual sample on the plate, where the attributes are selected from a position attribute, a geometry attribute and an internal density distribution attribute. A laser impact position is selected within the mass spectrometer based upon one or more of the attributes.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide arrays having features that include cleavable oligonucleotides are disclosed, as well as methods of making such arrays. Methods of synthesizing an oligonucleotide on a surface of a substrate are described.

Abstract: A surface moiety for use in chromatography which is attached to a solid support, said surface moiety having a structure which comprises at least two arylene groups wherein the arylene groups are separated from each other by a hydrocarbylene group. The surface moiety is attached to a solid support to form a stationary phase material. Methods for making the stationary phase material and using the material are provided also as are a chromatography apparatus which contains the material and a surface modifying agent which may be used to attach the surface moiety to the solid support.

Abstract: The invention provides a low mass and size thermal focusing device for a gas phase analytical device. The device has two or more plates bonded together. The device also has at least one channel with an entrance and exit is formed within allowing ingress and egress of a gas stream. The device also has a temperature reduction module in thermal contact with at least one plate of the device. Thermal focusing devices with additional plates and/or channels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for processing analytes in a first solution containing charged particles, wherein the first solution is filling a compartment having reservoirs. The compartment is subjected to an electric field, so that the charged particles are mainly moved into the reservoirs, thereby reducing the amount of the charged particles in a part of the first solution, which is located in a section of the compartment. The part of the first solution obtained in A) containing the analytes is then subjected to further processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product that provides a test executive program for controlling tests on a device under test that is separate and distinct from the test executive system. The product may be embodied in a media storing instructions that direct a processing unit to 1) perform an electronic test on the device under test, 2) provide an interface for communicating with an external system that is distinct from the test executive program, and for permitting the test system to be operated by the external system, 3) communicate with the external system, and 4) in response to signals generated by the external system, operate the test system. Other test executive methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microdevice is constructed from a substrate having a microchannel formed therein and a cover plate arranged over the substrate. The cover plate in combination with the microchannel at least partially defines a conduit within the microdevice. The conduit has a surface that extends from an upstream region toward a downstream region and terminates at an opening. The microdevice also includes an annular lining that conforms to the conduit surface at the downstream region and extends from the opening toward the upstream region in the conduit. An emitter may be produced in situ by depositing an emitter material on the annular lining. In addition, material may be removed from the cover plate and/or substrate about the opening. As a result, an exterior microdevice surface is formed and a downstream portion of the emitter is exposed that protrudes from the exterior surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the movement of a biopolymer translocating a nanopore. The invention provides a first electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, a third electrode adjacent to the second electrode and a fourth electrode adjacent to the third electrode. The first electrode is in electrical connection with the third electrode to define a first set of electrodes and the second electrode is in electrical connection with the fourth electrode to define a second set of electrodes. A DC voltage and radio frequency voltage is applied to the first set of electrodes while an opposite DC voltage and phase shifted radio frequency voltage is applied to the second set of electrodes to produce an electric field between the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes. The electric field is used to control the movement of a biopolymer translocating a nanopore. A method for controlling the movement of a biopolymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling atmospheric characteristics inside a chamber. An apparatus comprises a mechanism for diffusively introducing pressurized gas into the apparatus, an outlet element in fluid communication with the mechanism, and a chamber in fluid communication with the outlet element. The outlet element and the chamber are disposed such that gas flow therethrough is substantially uniform. The chamber comprises a gas outlet and the outlet element comprises a plurality of openings. The apparatus may be employed in the manufacture of biopolymers on the surface of a support such as an array of biopolymer features on the support.

Abstract: A probe apparatus has first and second access ports and a measurement port. The first and second access ports are adapted to be interposed in a test circuit. A voltage amplifier and a voltage splitter are adapted to present the second access port and the measurement port each with a voltage representative of a voltage received by the first access port.

Abstract: Techniques that enable devices in a network environment to automatically obtain authentication without specialized human intervention during device deployment include a device having a pre-configured security key which a service facility uses to authenticate the device. These techniques enable a service facility to associate pre-configured security keys to owners/users of devices, and enable devices to be purchased without any custom configuration, and enable devices to be attached to a network and automatically obtain authentication and configuration based on the identity of the owner of the devices.

Abstract: A scanning panel for use in a microwave imaging system captures a microwave image of a target using two complementary arrays of antenna elements. Each of the antenna elements in a first array is capable of being programmed with a respective phase delay to direct a transmit beam of microwave illumination toward the target in a transmit beam pattern, and each of the antenna elements in a second array is capable of receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from the target in a receive beam in a receive beam pattern complementary to the transmit beam pattern. The microwave image of the target is formed at an intersection between the transmit beam and the receive beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate using a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid, and using a dispensing head. The head has a reservoir chamber and at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate. The jet includes a capillary delivery chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber, which delivery chamber has an orifice. The jet further includes an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice. The method includes loading the head by positioning the head with the orifice adjacent and facing a biomonomer or biopolymer fluid, and providing a load pressure to the reservoir chamber. The load pressure is sufficiently negative such that the fluid is drawn into the reservoir chamber through the orifice and delivery chamber, while simultaneously being insufficient to result in ambient atmosphere entering the delivery chamber through the orifice once the head has been loaded and no further fluid is facing and adjacent the orifice.

Abstract: Various aspects of the invention include a solid support having a first region with a first nucleic acid, and second, third, fourth and fifth regions having, respectively, second, third, fourth, and fifth nucleic acids each having a length that is shorter than the length of the first nucleic acid. Certain aspects of the invention further include embodiments where the second, third, fourth, and fifth nucleic acids are substantially identical, and no two of the second, third, fourth, and fifth nucleic acids ends with identical terminal nucleotides. Some aspects of the invention further include methods of using the solid support, and kits that include the same.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to spatial and structural genomic analysis compositions, which can be used for the mapping of chromosomes and structural analyses of chromosomal rearrangements, including the entire chromosome, as well as specific portions or regions of interest of the chromosomes. In some embodiments, multiple portions of the genome can be distinguished, for instance, using a first detection entity and a second detection entity different from the first detection entity. The detection entities may be immobilized relative to oligonucleotides, which may be selected to bind to different locations within the chromosome. For instance, the oligonucleotides may be at least substantially complementary to the chromosome, e.g., substantially complementary to a specific location of the chromosome.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to competitive oligonucleotides and, in some embodiments, to competitive oligonucleotides for use in comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and related techniques. One aspect is generally directed to a blocking composition constructed and arranged to be used in an assay of a nucleic acid. The blocking composition may comprise oligonucleotides comprising sequences selected to hybridize to the nucleic acid used in the assay. Another aspect is generally directed to performing CGH assays and similar techniques on genomic DNA, in the absence of a Cot-1 fraction, such that the genomic DNA does not substantially cross-hybridize. Yet other aspects of the invention are directed to devices or kits for making or using competitive oligonucleotides, methods of promoting such competitive oligonucleotides, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to techniques involving comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and related techniques, including the validation of assay results. In one aspect, a region of interest of a genome or other target nucleic acid, identified using CGH or similar techniques, may be validated using a probe based on the CGH results. The oligonucleotides, in some embodiments, may bind the genome in some fashion (e.g., to the region of interest, and/or to other predetermined regions), and thus can be used for validation of CGH or other results.

Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying molecules of polymers such as, for example, a nucleic acid, are described. The method involves centering a bias voltage across a pair of nanoelectrodes separated by a channel that corresponds to one of any of the energy differences between any two internal energy levels of a molecule of interest, and modulating the bias voltage with a modulation waveform while the molecule of interest is in the channel. An electrical signal characteristic of the molecule of interest is derived from the tunneling current between the nanoelectrodes, and the characteristic electrical signal is compared with known values of the signal for chemically-known molecules in order to identify the molecule of interest. Multiple pairs of nano-electrodes may be employed to identify more reliably a single molecule or multiple molecules.