Abstract: A magnetic particle separation system includes a magnetic field generating device having an upper surface with a receiving area formed thereon; and a magnetic field generating element disposed beneath the upper surface, the magnetic field generating element being configured to produce a magnetic field above the upper surface. A container assembly is disposed on the upper surface and includes: a flexible container having an outer wall with an interior surface that at least partially bounds an internal compartment, the outer wall having a front side and an opposing back side with the internal compartment disposed therebetween; a fluid inlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; a fluid outlet extending through the outer wall at the front side; and a first partition projecting into the internal compartment from the front side between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for coupling nucleic acid to a functionalized surface or support. In particular, the present invention provides an improved process for coupling aminated nucleic acid to a support functionalized with carboxylic acid groups, wherein the coupling reaction is conducted in the presence of an organic solvent. The invention further relates to compositions and kits for performing the coupling reaction and uses of nucleic acid-loaded supports for various applications.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: This invention relates to monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles comprising a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups. The invention also relates to monodisperse seed particles with a Z-average diameter of from 100 nm to 1500 nm that comprise a plurality of non-crosslinked oligomers of poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide. Also provided are methods of forming the monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles and monodisperse seed particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to monodisperse magnetic hydrogel polymer particles comprising a magnetic material and a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer having a log Poct/wat (log P) of less than about 0.5; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups. The invention also relates to monodisperse coated hydrogel polymer particles comprising a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer having a log Poct/wat (log P) of less than about 0.5; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups; and a coating. Also provided are methods of forming the monodisperse magnetic hydrogel polymer particles and monodisperse coated polymer particles.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: Methods of separating magnetic particles from a fluid include introducing a fluid mixture that includes a liquid media, a biological component, and magnetic particles into an internal compartment of a container through an inlet, allowing at least a portion of the mixture to travel around a partition formed within the internal compartment and then exit the internal compartment through an outlet on the opposite side of the partition, and applying a magnetic field to the mixture in the internal compartment so that the magnetic particles are retained within the container or internal compartment thereof by the magnetic field. The partition is formed by permanently or reversibly securing upper and lower container walls together, such as by welding or pressing, between the inlet and the outlet such that the media and biological component must flow around the partition and through the magnetic field to exit the internal compartment through the outlet.

Abstract: A method for processing a nucleic acid, in which the nucleic acid is exposed to an aqueous medium which includes a polyol in sufficient proportion for at least a portion of the nucleic acid to enter or remain in an extra-solution phase. Thus, a polyol may be used to bind a nucleic acid which is in solution to a solid support or to wash a nucleic acid on a solid support whilst maintaining it on the support. The polyol may for example be a C2-C10 alkanediol.

Abstract: This invention relates to monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles comprising a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups. The invention also relates to monodisperse seed particles with a Z-average diameter of from 100 nm to 1500 nm that comprise a plurality of non-crosslinked oligomers of poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide. Also provided are methods of forming the monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles and monodisperse seed particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer particles for solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The oligonucleotide may be linked to the particle via a linker having an amide-oligoethyleneglycol-amine structure. The particles may be considered to act as a solid support during the oligonucleotide synthesis. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such polymer particles, compositions and systems comprising such particles, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: This invention relates to monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles comprising a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups. The invention also relates to monodisperse seed particles with a Z-average diameter of from 100 nm to 1500 nm that comprise a plurality of non-crosslinked oligomers of poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide. Also provided are methods of forming the monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles and monodisperse seed particles.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for the extraction of nucleic acids from biological samples. In particular embodiments the extraction involves mixing dibromochloromethane, iodochloromethane or mixtures thereof with a biological sample that has been mixed with a phenol-based extraction solution. Centrifugation of the sample is not needed to achieve phase separation which occurs using the present methods in as little as one to two minutes with no phenol carryover.

Abstract: A polymer substrate, such as a polymer coating or a polymer hydrogel network, includes carboxyl moieties that can be used as conjugation sites to which receptor or analyte molecules can be attached. In an example, the polymer substrate includes a polyacrylamide polymer network having alkanoic acid moieties or derivatives thereof, which can react with carboxyl activating compounds to provide an activated alkanoate moieties on the polyacrylamide network. Amine-terminated nucleic acids can react with the activated alkanoate moieties to capture the nucleic acid to the polymer network through an alkylamide moiety.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for the production of nucleic acid molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for the microscale generation of nucleic acid molecules, optionally followed by assembly of these nucleic acid molecules into larger molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for efficient production of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., large nucleic acid molecules such as genomes).

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer particles for solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The oligonucleotide may be linked to the particle via a linker having an amide-oligoethyleneglycol-amine structure. The particles may be considered to act as a solid support during the oligonucleotide synthesis. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such polymer particles, compositions and systems comprising such particles, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sample holder for isolating magnetically labelled particles from a non-magnetic medium in a plurality of samples. The holder comprises a magnetic base for applying a magnetic force to the magnetically labelled particles and a body which is mountable on the base and demountable therefrom. The body comprises an array of sample holding portions and a magnetizable member which is magnetically urged towards the magnetic base when the body is seated on the base, whereby the body is urged to remain seated on the base. The invention also relates to use of the sample holder to separate magnetic particles from a non-magnetic medium and methods of performing such a separation.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of monomer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.