Abstract: A rotatable sample disk configured for samples of biological material. The sample disk may include a fill chamber for storing a first biological material, a plurality of first sample chambers positioned in the sample disk farther from the rotational axis of the sample disk than the fill chamber, a plurality of second sample chambers, and a plurality of circumferential fill channels. Each of the second sample chambers may be configured to permit fluid communication with a respective first sample chamber. The plurality of circumferential fill conduits may be configured to permit transfer of the first biological material from the fill chamber to the plurality of first sample chambers upon a first rotation of the sample disk about the rotational axis. Methods of loading a plurality of sample chambers in a sample disk are also provided.

Abstract: The present teachings relate, among other things, to polynucleotide sequencing, fragment analysis and sample/lane tracking, and to polynucleotide sequencers and analyzers that employ optical detection techniques. Embodiments of the present teachings are described which include, for example, the addition of a calibration standard to a sequencing reaction. Information such as peak spacing and peak shape can he extracted from the standard.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to methods, kits, and compositions for detecting target polynucleotide sequences. The teachings also relate to ligation and amplification reactions that generate self-complementary polynucleotide products. In some embodiments, ligation reactions are performed with probes that result in the formation a self-complementary ligation product. Ligation of a hairpin linker to the self-complementary ligation product can form a loop ligation product. In some embodiments, the loop ligation product can be amplified with rolling circle amplification. Detection of a loop ligation product can serve to determine the identity of a target polynucleotide.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for thermally treating a fluid processing device. According to various embodiments, a system is provided that can include a thermal device and a fluid processing device holder. The thermal device can include a first block having a thermal conductivity greater than 0.5 Watt per centimeter Kelvin (W/cm·K), a second block having a thermal conductivity greater than 0.5 W/cm·K, and a heat-pump device disposed between the first block and the second block. The heat-pump device can transfer thermal energy from at least one of the first block and the second block to the other of the first block and the second block. The fluid processing device holder can hold a fluid processing device in a heat-transfer position with respect to the first block and the second block. The fluid processing device can be a microfluidic device.

Abstract: Disclosed, among other things, are primers containing certain modified nucleobases in the 3? terminal region of the primers that provide reduced formation of primer-dimers during amplification reactions, and various methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods for normalizing output from an instrument employing a reference standard or non-fluorescing substance disposed within at least one of a plurality of reaction chambers. The method comprises collecting and analyzing a signal associated with the reference standard or non-fluorescing substance to determine a normalizing bias. The normalizing bias is then applied to the data signal collected from a remainder of the plurality of reaction chambers.

Abstract: The present teachings provide emulsions using ionic liquids for separation of biomolecules and related methods, compositions, and devices.

Abstract: Compounds, methods and kits for making and analyzing primer extension products incorporating one or more universal bases are described, including methods and kits for nucleic acid sequencing and microsatellite analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, kits, and compositions for identifying and quantifying target polynucleotide sequences. A linker probe comprising a 3? target specific portion, a loop, and a stem is hybridized to a target polynucleotide and extended to form a reaction product that includes a reverse primer portion and the stem nucleotides. A detector probe, a specific forward primer, and a reverse primer can be employed in an amplification reaction wherein the detector probe can detect the amplified target polynucleotide based on the stem nucleotides introduced by the linker probe. In some embodiments a plurality of short miRNAs are queried with a plurality of linker probes, wherein the linker probes all comprise a universal reverse primer portion a different 3? target specific portion and different stems. The plurality of queried miRNAs can then be decoded in a plurality of amplification reactions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling biological samples. Segments of ionic liquid can provide voltage across segments of immiscible liquid to concentrate or separate charged species in the biological samples. Reactants in biological samples can be contacted and reacted in segments of immiscible liquid.

Abstract: A camera alignment system that can enable alignment in at least one of three planes and about an axis of at least one of the planes. An alignment mount can mate to a camera and lens. The alignment mount can comprise a mechanism to adjust the camera relative to the lens to that an image plane of the camera aligns with an image plane of the lens in a predetermined orientation. One predetermined orientation can be that the image plane of the camera being parallel to the image plane of the lens.

Abstract: A method of operating an ion trap spectrometer system having an ion trap is provided.

Abstract: A heated platen assembly for use in a biological testing device is disclosed having a heated platen defining a plurality of optical openings configured to permit radiation to pass through the heated platen, a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at least one of the plurality of optical openings, and means for retaining the slip cover over the at least one of the plurality of optical openings.

Abstract: The present teachings provide novel methods for amplifying short nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the present teachings provide novel methods for linearly amplifying a collection of micro RNAs by using temperature cycling during a reverse transcription reaction. The cycling can comprise at least 20 cycles of an annealing temperature segment of 10 C-30 C, and a denaturation temperature segment of 35 C-60 C. In some embodiments, the temperature cycled reaction can comprise an osmolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a reversible terminator nucleotides and methods of use.

Abstract: A set of 4,7-dichlororhodamine compounds useful as fluorescent dyes are disclosed having the structures wherein R1-R6 are hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, lower alkyl, lower alkene, lower alkyne, sulfonate, sulfone, amino, amido, nitrile, lower alkoxy, linking group, or, when taken together, R1 and R6 is benzo, or, when taken together, R4 and R5 is benzo; R7-R10, R12-R16 and R18 may be hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, lower alkyl, lower alkene, lower alkyne, sulfonate, sulfone, amino, amido, nitrile, lower alkoxy, linking group; R11 and R17 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkene, lower alkyne, phenyl, aryl, linking group; Y1-Y4 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, or cycloalkyl, or, when taken together, Y1 and R2, Y2 and R1 Y3 and R3, and/or Y4 and R4 is propano, ethano, or substituted forms thereof; and X1-X3 taken separately are hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, lower alkyl, carboxylate, sulfonate, hydroxymethyl, and linking group, or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a plurality of channels and a plurality of deposition units and methods for depositing fluids on a support are disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplification reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.

Abstract: Software, methods, and systems for calibrating photometric devices are provided. These involve using a non-uniform test illumination field to approximate a photon transfer curve by calculating stable pixel values and statistical dispersions on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for isolating and/or identifying nucleic acids. The invention also provides kits for isolating and/or identifying nucleic acids.