Abstract: The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for synthesizing and sequencing nucleic acids. In some embodiments, reversible di-nucleotide compounds are employed along with cleaving reactions that remove a label and a blocking moiety. Improved sequencing efficiency is achieved by the rapid polymerase-mediated incorporation of reversible di-nucleotide compounds. In some embodiments, the di-nucleotides do not contain conventional nucleotide triphosphates, but rather employ amino acid phosphoramidate nucleotides (AAPNs).

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use are disclosed for the analysis of polynucleotides isolated in individual reaction compartments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, and kits for detecting the presence or absence of (or quantifying) target polynucleotide sequences in at least one sample using encoding and decoding reactions. When a particular target polynucleotide is present in a sample, a reaction product is formed in the encoding reaction that includes addressable primer portions. At least one label and at least one address primer is employed in the decoding amplification reaction thereby providing a detectable signal value depending upon whether a sequence is present or absent. In some embodiments universal bases and reduced libraries of probes can be employed for highly multiplexed analysis of target polynucleotides.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass spectrometer having a rod set is provided. The rod set has a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, and kits for detecting the presence or absence of (or quantifying) target polynucleotide sequences and proteins in at least one sample using encoding and decoding reactions. When a particular target polynucleotide is present in a sample for example, a reaction product is formed in the encoding reaction that includes addressable primer portions. At least one labeling probe and at least one address primer can be employed in the decoding amplification reaction thereby providing a detectable signal value depending upon whether a sequence is present or absent. In some embodiments, the encoding comprises a ligation reaction with linker probes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are analyzed.

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: An optical system includes a sample substrate having a surface, the surface defining a 2-dimensional sample plane. The system includes an excitation source configured to provide excitation light to the sample substrate. The system further includes an optical detector configured to receive emission light from the sample substrate and generate detection data. The system also includes a scan head configured at least (i) to direct the excitation light towards the sample substrate, (ii) to receive emission light from the sample substrate and direct the emission light towards the optical detector, and (iii) for scanning relative to the sample substrate.

Abstract: Novel linkers for linking a donor dye to an acceptor dye in an energy transfer fluorescent dye are provided. These linkers faciliate the efficient transfer of energy between a donor and acceptor dye in an energy transfer dye. One of these linkers for linking a donor dye to an acceptor dye in an energy transfer fluorescent dye has the general structure R21Z1C(O)R22R28 where R21 is a C1-5 alkyl attached to the donor dye, C(O) is a carbonyl group, Z1 is either NH, sulfur or oxygen, R22 is a substituent which includes an alkene, diene, alkyne, a five and six membered ring having at least one unsaturated bond or a fused ring structure which is attached to the carbonyl carbon, and R28 includes a functional group which attaches the linker to the acceptor dye.

Abstract: The device for detecting the binding of two chemical species includes a first plate having a base, multiple optical fibers and a second plate. The base has multiple grooves formed therein. The multiple optical fibers are each disposed within a corresponding one of the multiple grooves. The second plate has multiple channels formed therein. The first plate and the second plate are configured to be placed adjacent to one another such that each the optical fiber is exposed to and traverses the multiple channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene that encodes a hyperactive reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced RNase H activity, vectors containing the gene and host cells transformed with the invention. The present invention also includes a method of producing the hyperactive reverse transcriptase, producing cDNA from mRNA using the reverse transcriptase of the invention, kits and assay templates made using the hyperactive reverse transcriptase.

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: Systems and methods for analyzing compounds in a sample. In one embodiment, a mass spectrometer includes an ion source for emitting a plurality of ions from a sample together with a detector positioned downstream of said ion source and configured to detect the impact of emitted ions on the detector. The mass spectrometer also includes a controller operatively coupled to the detector and to the ion source and configured to calculate the m/z for each detected ion. The controller comprises a mass defect filter configured to determine if the m/z for each detected ion falls within a pre-determined mass defect range. The mass spectrometer also includes data storage coupled to the controller, wherein the data storage is configured to store detected ion m/z data corresponding to the m/z for a detected ion if the m/z falls within the mass defect range. The mass spectrometer may also include an ion mass filter positioned downstream of the ion source and operatively coupled to the controller.

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: 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: 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: 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.