Abstract: Detection system comprising an examination region, a one-piece optical element including a focusing portion to concentrate light received from the examination region and a guiding portion to homogenize light received from the focusing portion, and a detector configured to detect homogenized light received from the guiding portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of protein quantification and normalization using haloalkylated tryptophan fluorescence. Complex protein samples, i.e., samples that each contain 1,000 or more distinct proteins, from diverse sources that do not have common protein profiles are treated with a halo-substituted organic compound (i.e. haloalkane) that reacts with tryptophan residues to form fluorescent products. Irradiation of the samples with ultraviolet light and the detection and quantification of the resultant fluorescent emissions from all proteins in each sample are then used to obtain comparative values for total protein content among the various samples.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods are disclosed for the covalent modification of polymer surfaces with graft copolymers having a blend of side chains. The halogenated acrylic and polyalkylene glycol acrylic side chains of the graft copolymer provide the polymer surface with high hydrophobicity, as well as increased resistance to biofouling with proteinaceous material. The polymer surfaces can be particularly useful in microfluidic devices and methods that involve the contacting of the covalently modified polymer surfaces with emulsions of aqueous droplets containing biological macromolecules within an oil carrier phase.

Abstract: Provided herein are assay control materials comprising stable analytes and lyophilized unstable analytes, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to methods for detecting the presence or absence of a particular nucleic acid sequence. The present invention generally relates to incorporating a detector into a target nucleic acid, adding an oligonucleotide probe, polymerase enzyme and an inhibitor to the reaction, and detecting interference of the oligonucleotide probe with the inhibitor as an indication of the presence of a particular target nucleic acid sequence as well as kits encompassing the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and kits for detecting analytes using avidin-biotin assays.

Abstract: Microscale fluidic devices and components thereof having a fluid retention groove, as well as systems and methods related thereto. The fluid retention groove facilitates uniform bonding of microfluidic device components.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: A method for determining a sequence of a target nucleic acid is described. The method uses a plurality of control oligonucleotides with known sequence and unique identifications to map hybridization signals associated with a plurality of sequencing probes to a loosely packed multi-dimensional dye space, such that a region in the dye space can be associated with one or more sequencing probes. When a detected target hybridization signal of a sequencing probe and a target nucleic acid is mapped to the multi-dimensional dye space, the sequencing probe and thus the corresponding nucleotides in the target nucleic acid can be determined based on the one or more sequencing probes associated with the region that the detected target hybridization signal is mapped to.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and reagents are described for performing assays for hemoglobin Ale, glycated albumin, and other glycated proteins. The methods involve a ratio determination between glycated protein and non-glycated protein. In some applications, the assay utilizes LOCI for signal generation. This invention is directed to assays and corresponding devices and reagents for detection of glycated protein, particularly including glycated hemoglobin. As is generally understood, such detection is useful in the management of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients and for monitoring the status of pre-diabetic individuals.

Abstract: Proteins that are electrophoretically separated in a gel are derivatized to produce fluorescent emissions by incorporating halo-substituted organic compounds into one or both of the electrode buffer solutions at the two ends of the gel. The halo-substituted compounds used are ones that bear an electric charge at the pH of the buffer solutions and gel, and the polarity of the charge on the compounds is such that the compounds migrate from the electrode buffer into the gel under the electrophoretic influence concurrently with the migration of the proteins into the gel. Once the proteins are separated and distributed within the gel and the gel is fully penetrated with the halo-substituted compounds, the gel is irradiated with ultraviolet light to induce a reaction between the halo-substituted compounds and the proteins through the tryptophan residues on the proteins, producing fluorescent reaction products.

Abstract: Droplet-based methods of analysis. In an exemplary method, a device having a port connected to a chamber may be selected. A sample-containing fluid may be placed into the port. A pressure differential may be created that drives the sample-containing fluid from the port to the chamber and separates the sample-containing fluid into droplets. A two-dimensional monolayer of the droplets may be formed in the chamber. At least a portion of the monolayer may be imaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated method and apparatus for automatically setting a drop delay period by detecting calibration particles in a waste stream. The drop delay is incremented over a series of drop delays and the number of calibration particles in the waste stream is detected for each drop delay. The drop delay is selected which has the least number of calibration particles in the waste stream.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transferring materials between containers are discussed. One such connector includes: a base; a first elongate structure having first and second ends, the first elongate structure extending from a first side of the base at the first end to the second end distal the base, the second end forming a first opening sized and configured to receive a first container; a duct extending through the base and having a first tip skirted on one or more sides by the first elongate structure; a first guard positioned within the first elongate structure, wherein the first guard comprises a first surface, and the first surface is located further away from the base than the first tip. When the first container is moved into the first opening, the first surface moves toward the base, and the first tip enters the first container, creating a fluid path for the first container.

Abstract: In one arrangement, a cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a holding compartment, first and second fractioning compartments, and a number of flow channels formed within the cartridge body. A predetermined quantity of fluid can be held in the holding compartment when the cartridge body is held in a first orientation, and can be poured from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment by rotating the cartridge body about a predefined rotation axis to a second orientation, spilling the fluid from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment through one of the flow channels. The first fractioning compartment is such that when the cartridge body is in the second orientation, not all of the fluid can be contained in the first fractioning compartment, and fluid that overflows the first fractioning compartment flows through a second flow channel to the second fractioning compartment.

Abstract: Provided herein are assay control materials comprising stable analytes and lyophilized unstable analytes, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the setup and visualization of a configurable process, for example a chromatography experiment to be conducted using a configurable chromatography system. A user interface displays category regions representing sections of a process, and displays a plurality of selectable items representing components appropriate for placement in the category regions. A user interface control causes selection of one of the selectable items and placement of the selected item into one of the category regions, to define a selected process configuration. The user interface control may be a scrolling control that causes a set of selectable items appropriate for placement in the respective category region to scroll through the category region. When the computer displaying the user interface is also connected to the system being configured, the user interface may also facilitate setup, monitoring, and control of the resulting process.

Abstract: A method is provided for transporting a plurality of cells through a flow chamber, wherein the cells are initially immobilized on an internal surface of the flow chamber. The method comprises: selectively releasing the cells from the internal surface of the flow chamber; and flowing liquid through the flow chamber such that the released cells travel with the liquid, thereby transporting the cells through the flow chamber. Cells can be immobilized on or selectively released from the internal surface by applying or removing a trapping potential. The trapping potential can arise from an electric field gradient or an optical field gradient. Alternatively, cells can be selectively released from the surface using photocatalysis. Selective release allows cells to be individually observed or analyzed downstream, and can be based on a signal detected from one or more cells immobilized on the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for setting the timing or phase of the separation of droplets from a fluid stream in a flow cytometer, or the timing or phase of a charge pulse generator, based upon the collected charge of charged droplets. In one embodiment, a conductive mesh can be used to collect the charged droplets that are either deflected or not deflected by the deflection plates. In another embodiment, the charge can be collected from metal plates in the waste collection device. In addition, a defanning device is disclosed that allows substantially uniform deflection of charged cells.