Abstract: Systems are provided for gel electrophoresis and electrotransfer that comprise one or more chambers that can removably and interchangeably receive either an electrophoresis cassette, or an electrotransfer cassette, and provide an electrical interface for both electrophoresis and electrotransfer of biomolecules. Electrophoresis devices including clamps and electrotransfer cassettes and related devices are provided. Methods for electrophoresis and electrotransfer using the systems and devices are also provided.

Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a first port fitting and a second port fitting with a base secured therebetween. The base has an annular sleeve encircling a seat, the seat having a central mounting hole and one or more flow channels passing therethrough. An umbrella valve includes a flexible sealing disk having an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, a mounting stem extending from the inner surface and projecting into the mounting hole of the base, the sealing disk being movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the sealing disk sits on the seat so as to cover the one or more flow channels and a second position wherein the sealing disk is resiliently flexed so as to at least partially uncover the one or more flow channels. A retention plate is disposed between first port fitting and the seat of the base so that the retention plate sits against the outer surface of the sealing disk.

Abstract: A condenser bag includes a body bounding a channel that extends between an inlet opening at a first end and an outlet opening at an opposing second end, the body being comprised of a polymeric film; an intake port bounding a port opening that extends therethrough, the intake port being directly physically secured to the first end of the body so that the port opening communicates with the channel of the body; and a tubular transfer line having a first end directly mechanically coupled with the body at a first location located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to communicate with the channel and an opposing second end directly mechanically coupled to the intake port so as to communicate with the port opening thereof.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a substrate having a die attached to the substrate. The die includes an array of sensors and an array of wells cooperatively disposed over the array of sensors. The array of wells is exposed by the substrate. The sensor device further includes a flow cell secured to the substrate and defining a flow space disposed over the die and accessible to the array of wells. The flow cell defines a plurality of separate volumes. Each separate volume of the plurality of separate volumes has an inlet and an outlet. The plurality of separate volumes are separated by dividers. The dividers cover a set of wells of the array of wells.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits are disclosed for amplifying small quantities of nucleic acid and identifying the nucleic acid sequences of the amplified nucleic acid products.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for imaging and ablating a sample. An imaging/ablating device (110) includes an optical assembly (112), a sample stage (114), and a receiver (116). The optical assembly (112) is disposed in an inverted position below the sample stage (114) and the receiver (116) is positioned above the sample stage (112). The optical assembly enables imaging of a sample disposed on the sample stage (114). The optical assembly (112) also enables ablation of a region of interest within the sample. The laser light propagated from the optical assembly during ablation propagates substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the ablation plume (20) toward the receiver (116).

Abstract: Provided are optical fiber alignment assemblies, comprising: a plurality of fiber channel members being arranged along a first vertical axis, each fiber channel member comprising a fiber channel configured to accommodate an optical fiber disposed therein, the plurality of fiber channels being parallel to one another, fiber channels adjacent to one another defining a spacing therebetween, the spacing being measured along the first vertical axis; a plurality of resilient members, a resilient member being disposed between adjacent fiber channel members; and an adjustment element, the adjustment element being configured to effect a force oriented along the first vertical axis, and the adjustment member being configured such that actuation of the adjustment member changes a compression of the plurality of resilient members so as to effect an essentially linear variation in the spacing between adjacent fiber channels. Also provided are related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a reagent solution includes an enclosure and a container disposed within the enclosure. The container defines an internal cavity having a compressible volume and defines a passage providing fluidic communication between the internal cavity and the exterior of the container. Optionally, a compressible member is disposed within the internal cavity. A reagent is disposed within the internal cavity.

Abstract: Silicon-substituted rhodamine compounds are disclosed herein. Also described herein are SiR dyes comprising at least one vinyl group attached to the Si atom (10 position) of the SiR dye. Derivatives, functionalized versions, conjugates, kits, related synthetic methods and uses of SiR compounds also are provided. Silicon-rhodamine (SiR) dyes can provide bright fluorescence at far red wavelengths and exhibit good photostability. The compounds described herein can be useful for fluorescent labeling and detection of biological samples.

Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate to a system, method, and apparatus for culturing cells within a cell culture vessel having a mixing element. The cell culture system includes a flexible portion and a mixing element disposed therein. The mixing element includes a suspended foldable portion. The system is configured to reduce shear stress on cells without compromising mixing efficiency. This reduction is accomplished by using a mixing element having a large surface area allowing for reduced rotational speeds. The system is collapsible for ease of transport and disposal. The flexible portion collapses and the foldable portion folds to minimize the volume of the system while not in operation.

Abstract: An isolation device for isolation of target particles from a plurality of liquid samples includes a plurality of isolation chips and a vacuum system. Each of the plurality of isolation chips includes a sample reservoir, and a first outlet and a second outlet disposed at opposite sides of the sample reservoir. The vacuum system includes a first vacuum pump connected to the first outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips and a second vacuum pump connected to the second outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips. The first vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding first outlet. The second vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding second outlet. The target particles are isolated from each of the plurality of liquid samples in a corresponding sample reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for collection, labeling and matching biological samples containing nucleic acid in conjunction with collecting at least one ridge and valley signature such as a fingerprint or footprint of an individual. Such devices and methods are used in forensic, human identification, paternity, tissue typing, and screening technologies to rapidly process an individual's identity, determine the identity of an individual along with the genotype profile of the individual.

Abstract: A method for compressing molecular tagged sequence data includes: grouping sequence reads associated with a molecular tag sequence to form a family of sequence reads, corresponding vectors of flow space signal measurements and corresponding sequence alignments, calculating an arithmetic mean of the corresponding vectors of flow space signal measurements to form a vector of consensus flow space signal measurements, calculating a standard deviation of the corresponding vectors of flow space signal measurements to form a vector of standard deviations, determining a consensus base sequence based on the vector of consensus flow space signal measurements, determining a consensus sequence alignment and generating a compressed data structure comprising consensus compressed data, the consensus compressed data including for each family, the consensus base sequence, the consensus sequence alignment, the vector of consensus flow space signal measurements, the vector of standard deviations and the number of members.

Abstract: A signal processing system used for GMR-based detection of a target analyte in a sample under test, comprising: a measurement circuit configuration unit configured to build a GMR sensor measurement circuit by routing in at least one GMR sensor, and to build a reference resistor measurement circuit by routing in at least one reference resistor; a magnetic field excitation unit configured to apply an AC magnetic field of frequency ?2 to the at least one GMR sensor; a carrier signal applying unit configured to apply a carrier signal of frequency ?1 to the GMR sensor measurement circuit, and apply carrier signals of frequency ?1, ?1+?2, and ?1??2 to the reference resistor measurement circuit; a measurement signal pick-up unit coupled to the measurement circuits, configured to collect reference resistor measurement signals from the reference resistor measurement circuit and GMR sensor measurement signals from the GMR sensor measurement circuit; and a phase sensitive solution unit coupled to the measurement signal

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of one or more proteins (e.g., globular proteins) having a low isoelectric point and/or a limited number (e.g., zero) of modifying groups in nucleic acid polymerization and/or amplification reactions such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods, systems, and computer-readable media for accelerated base calling of sequencing data. These methods may be adapted to accelerate sequence determination for data arising from a variety of different nucleic acid sequencing platforms. In various embodiments, configurable logic circuits such as FPGAs and GPUs may be adapted to perform raw signal processing, basecalling, and/or sequence determination operations providing further enhancements to the sequence analysis methods.