Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for inductively heating a tissue to effect a biological response in the tissue or in a biomolecule comprising the same. The methods and devices comprise means for applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field via an inductive coil comprising an applicator to the tissue and means for monitoring feedback from the alternating magnetic field to control and/or adjust heat, for example, in the tissue, which further includes a means for cooling the tissue. Particularly, the device may be a hand held piece that incorporates or has at least an applicator, including a radiofrequency energy generator and output, an inductive coil, an impedance matching system, a cooling system, including a thermally conductive surface and a coolant housing containing a coolant that circulates through the thermally conductive surface, and a feedback monitor. Optionally, the device may comprise a tissue-shaper.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing tissue using electrophoresis according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a chamber which can contain therein a buffer solution and the biological tissue and has an inlet port and an outlet port for circulating the buffer solution; a support member, located within the chamber, for supporting the biological tissue; and electrodes located within the chamber and formed separately of a first electrode and a second electrode which correspond to each other. With the apparatus, it is possible to minimize the degradation of decomposition efficiency and quickly clear the tissue compared to a conventional apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for forming electrodes for use in nano-gap electrodes are provided. Such methods can be used to form electrodes for use in devices that can be used to sense or detect biomolecules, such as in biomolecule sequence applications.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture optics (SAO) imaging method minimizes the number of selective excitation patterns used to illuminate the imaging target, based on the objects' physical characteristics corresponding to spatial frequency content from the illuminated target and/or one or more parameters of the optical imaging system used for SAO. With the minimized number of selective excitation patterns, the time required to perform SAO is reduced dramatically, thereby allowing SAO to be used with DNA sequencing applications that require massive parallelization for cost reduction and high throughput. In addition, an SAO apparatus optimized to perform the SAO method is provided. The SAO apparatus includes a plurality of interference pattern generation modules that can be arranged in a half-ring shape.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for removing magnetic particles from suspensions are described. One embodiment of the apparatus is called a magnetic needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.

Abstract: The invention features devices and kits for capturing and culturing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) and methods of using the devices and kits to detect microorganisms in environmental and other samples. The device includes a nutrient media having a flat growth area on which microorganisms can grow. Samples are collected by contacting the device with any environmental sample, e.g., rolling device on a work surface or exposing device to air, or by filtering a sample through a membrane. Microorganisms deposited on the membrane derive nutrients from the underlying media and grow into colonies that can then be detected using methods known in the art. The detected colonies can be imaged digitally or with film.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Compositions comprise promoter sequences that direct expression of an operably linked nucleotide in a developmentally regulated manner. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detection and discrimination of optical signals from a densely packed substrate. These have broad applications for biomolecule detection near or below the diffraction limit of optical systems, including in improving the efficiency and accuracy of polynucleotide sequencing applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding ERF transcription factor proteins, polypeptides encompassing ERF transcription factor proteins, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding photosystem I reaction center subunit N (PSAN) proteins, polypeptides encompassing PSAN proteins, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of immunomagnetically enriched rare cells by treating the sample with a leukocyte marker conjugated to a hapten which adheres to the white blood cells and treating the resulting product with a second medium that adheres to the hapten of the white blood cells that are labeled with the leukocyte marker conjugated to hapten and removing the labeled white blood cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are tubular membrane filter elements, tangential flow filtration systems comprising such filter elements and methods of using such filter elements and filtration systems.

Abstract: The present relates to a chip assembly, a flow cell and a cytometer for characterizing particles in a sample solution. The chip assembly comprises a pair of chips, at least one of the chip defining on its inner surface at least two channels, the two channels defining therebetween a common intersecting area. Each channel is adapted for receiving one or more optical fibers. The chips define a through-hole extending throughout the chip assembly in a transverse direction relative to the channels and passing through the common intersecting area. The flow cell comprises the chip assembly, an excitation fiber and at least one collection fiber extending through respective channels; the collection fiber for collecting light scattered or emitted by particles flowing through the through-hole and excited by an excitation light transported by the excitation fiber. The flow cytometer comprises a light source for generating the excitation light and the flow cell.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making multiple aseptic fluid interconnections in parallel with an integral clamping mechanism and elastomeric fluid sealing gasket to provide an initial fluid tight seal while removing sealing tape tabs and a final fluid tight seal after sealing tape tabs are removed. The clamping mechanism comprises a hinge coupling and a first set of snap-fit locks to maintain the initial fluid tight seal and a second set of snap-fit locks to maintain the final fluid tight seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a localized environment for a cell culture plate are described herein. An example system can include a dock shaped to receive the cell culture plate, and a gas distribution device positioned on the dock. The gas distribution device can include a frame including a plurality of sides connected to form an opening, an internal channel within the frame for directing a gas mixture within the gas distribution device, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal channel for receiving the gas mixture, and a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the internal channel. The plurality of apertures can be spaced apart from one another along the frame and configured to direct the gas mixture toward the opening.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from other tissues of the body. In some cases, the device may contain a substance transfer component such as needles or microneedles, which can be inserted into the skin or another organ to deliver and/or receiving fluid or other substances from the subject. In some embodiments, the device may include an activator constructed and arranged to insert one or more substance transfer components into the skin or other organ. In certain cases, the device may also include a storage chamber for receiving a fluid received from the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-stage thermal convection apparatus such as a two-stage thermal convection apparatus and uses thereof. In one embodiment, the two-stage thermal convection apparatus includes a temperature shaping element that assists a thermal convection mediated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The invention has a wide variety of applications including amplifying nucleic acid without cumbersome and expensive hardware associated with many prior devices. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus can fit in the palm of a user's hand for use as a portable, simple to operate, and low cost PCR amplification device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods and kits for Omega amplification technologies. In addition, the present disclosure provides compositions, methods and kits for universal FQ probe and for G-quadruplex detection methods for use in isothermal amplification technologies.