Abstract: Thermal control devices utilizing a thermal switch to facilitate cooling of a biological sample, particularly a biological sample tested with a semiconductor diagnostic detection chip. Such thermal switches can include a mass of thermally conductive material, such as copper or aluminum, that selectively contacts the diagnostic chip or sample tube by use of an air cylinder or a servo-driven moveable support. Alternatively, the thermal switch can utilize a thermally conductive material that selectively contacts the diagnostic chip or sample tube by use of an inflatable bladder. Alternatively, the thermal switch can utilize a voice coil and a heat sink to selectively contact the diagnostic chip. The thermal control device can further include thermal overshoot feature, such as an air blower or placement of a heat sink in close proximity to the chip or tube. Associated methods of assembly and use of thermal control devices are also provided herein.

Abstract: A honeycomb tube with a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar surface and a second planar surface. A fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame. The fluidic interface has a fluidic inlet and fluidic outlet. The fluidic path further includes a well chamber having an well-substrate with a plurality of wells. The well chamber is arranged in the planar frame between the first or second surface and the well-substrate.

Abstract: Improved sub-assemblies and methods of control for use in a diagnostic assay system adapted to receive an assay cartridge are provided herein. Such sub-assemblies include: a brushless DC motor, a door opening/closing mechanism and cartridge loading mechanism, a syringe and valve drive mechanism assembly, a sonication horn, a thermal control device and optical detection/excitation device. Such systems can further include a communications unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device of a user so as to receive a user input relating to functionality of the system with respect to an assay cartridge received therein and relaying a diagnostic result relating to the assay cartridge to the mobile device.

Abstract: A handling system for high throughput processing of a large volume of biological samples is provided herein. Such systems can include an array support assembly that supports multiple diagnostic assay modules in an array having at least two dimensions, a loader that loads multiple diagnostic assay cartridges within the multiple diagnostic assay modules. The array support assembly can be movable relative the loader to facilitate loading and unloading so as to provide more efficient processing.

Abstract: A DC electric motor having a stator mounted to a substrate, the stator having a coil assembly having a magnetic core, a rotor mounted to the stator with permanent magnets distributed radially about the rotor, the permanent magnets extending beyond the magnetic core, and sensors mounted to the substrate adjacent the permanent magnets. During operation of the motor passage of the permanent magnets over the sensors produces a substantially sinusoidal signal of varying voltage substantially without noise and/or saturation, allowing an angular position of the rotor relative the substrate to be determined from linear portions of the sinusoidal signal without requiring use of an encoder or position sensors and without requiring noise-reduction or filtering of the signal.

Abstract: Automated oligonucleotide synthesis-compatible sulforhodamine dye phosphoramidite compounds and labeled polynucleotides incorporating these dyes are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis are provided.

Abstract: A honeycomb tube with a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar surface and a second planar surface. A fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame. The fluidic interface has a fluidic inlet and fluidic outlet. The fluidic path further includes a well chamber having a well-substrate with a plurality of wells. The well chamber is arranged in the planar frame between the first or second surface and the well-substrate. The well chamber is in fluidic communication between the pre-amplification chamber and the fluidic outlet.

Abstract: Thermal control devices adapted to provide improved control and efficiency in temperature cycling are provided herein. Such thermal control device can include a thermoelectric cooler controlled in coordination with another thermal manipulation device to control an opposing face of the thermoelectric cooler and/or a microenvironment. Some such thermal control devices include a first and second thermoelectric cooler separated by a thermal capacitor. The thermal control devices can be configured in a planar configuration with a means for thermally coupling with a planar reaction vessel of a sample analyzer for use in thermal cycling in a polymerase chain reaction of the fluid sample in the reaction vessel. Methods of thermal cycling using such a thermal control devices are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for activating oligonucleotide aptamer-deactivated DNA polymerases, comprising modifying the aptamer by uracil-DNA glycosylase enzymatic activity to reduce or eliminate binding of the oligonucleotide aptamer to the DNA polymerase, thereby activating DNA synthesis activity of the DNA polymerase in a reaction mixture. Mixtures for use in methods of the invention are also provided. In some aspects, the oligonucleotide aptamers are circular and comprise one or more deoxyuridine nucleotides providing for aptamer-specific recognition and modification of the circular aptamer by the uracil-DNA glycosylase enzymatic activity. Exemplary oligonucleotide aptamers, mixtures and methods employing uracil-DNA glycosylase enzymatic activity are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a set of primers and optional probes for identifying the presence of ?-coronavirus, ?-coronavirus, SARS-COV-2, adenovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Influenza A, Influenza B, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus, Mycoplasma, Bordetella spp., parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be included with (e.g., in at kit) or in a cartridge for automated detection of these pathogens by nucleic acid amplification. This disclosure also provides related detection methods, as well as cartridges, systems, and kits useful in such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for carrying out multiple amplification reactions in a single reaction chamber by successive cycles of loading reaction mixture, amplifying, and removing spent reaction mixture in a fluidly closed reaction system. In particular, the present invention allows amplification of a plurality of target polynucleotides from a single sample by carrying out under closed-loop control successive amplifications of different target polynucleotides from different portions of the sample.

Abstract: Non-ionic polyether surfactants with improved resistance to hydrolysis are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions that provide highly efficient primer annealing and denaturation during nucleic acid amplification. The basic method employs destabilizing nucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) in amplification reaction mixtures. The incorporation of such dNTPs into the amplicon produced upon amplification lowers the Tm of the amplicon, promoting denaturation/strand separation for the next round of primer annealing.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions that provide highly efficient nucleic acid amplification. In some embodiments, this allows a 3-fold or greater increase of amplification product for each amplification cycle and therefore increased sensitivity and speed over conventional PCR. Modified bases can be employed in primers to provide this base-3 or greater amplification with satisfactory PCR cycle times, which are improved, as compared to those observed in the absence of modified bases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, methods of detecting low grade bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, methods of monitoring recurrence of bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise detecting androgen receptor (AR) and/or uroplakin 1B (UPK1B).

Abstract: Automated oligonucleotide synthesis-compatible sulforhodamine dye phosphoramidite compounds and labeled polynucleotides incorporating these dyes are provided.

Abstract: A biological sample processing apparatus having an enclosure. A plurality of sample processing modules are held by the enclosure. Each sample processing module is configured to hold a removable sample cartridge and to only perform sample processing on a sample within the corresponding removable sample cartridge. Each sample processing module is configured to perform at least one of a plurality of testing processes on the sample within the removable sample cartridge. At least one module in the apparatus is configured to perform nucleic acid amplification and detection.

Abstract: A lid apparatus for a multi-chambered container. The lid apparatus has a top-lid that is hingedly attached to a bottom-cap. The top-lid includes one or more openings for fluid filling multiple passages that extend from the bottom-cap. A lower bottom-cap includes welding features for welding to the multi-chambered container. The bottom-cap further includes one or more auxiliary ports for injecting a reagent when the lid apparatus is in a closed configuration sealingly attached to the multi-chambered sample container.