Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of fluorescent dyes, and in particular, compositions and methods for increasing fluorescent signals and the reduction of fluorescent quenching.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, kits, and systems useful in the determination and evaluation of the immune repertoire. In one aspect, target-specific primer panels provide for the effective amplification of sequences of B cell receptor heavy and light chains in a single assay, with improved sequencing accuracy and resolution over the repertoire. Variable regions associated with the immune cell receptor are resolved to effectively portray clonal diversity of a biological sample and/or differences associated with the immune cell repertoire of a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for multiplex PCR of one or more nucleic acids present in a sample. In particular, various target-specific primers are provided that allow for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences. In one aspect, the invention relates to target-specific primers useful for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences associated with cancer or inherited disease. In some aspects, amplified target sequences obtained using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including nucleic acid sequencing and used to detect the presence of genetic variants.

Abstract: A method for separating microcarriers from a medium includes transferring a suspension that includes medium, microcarriers and cells into a compartment of a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes: a container having an interior surface bounding the compartment; and a filter having a tubular stem with an encircling sidewall extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being secured to the interior surface of the container and the second end projecting into the compartment of the container, a plurality of openings extend through the sidewall of the stem that are large enough to allow the medium and cells to pass therethrough while preventing the microcarriers from passing therethrough. The medium and cells within the compartment are allowed to pass through the plurality of openings of the filter while the microcarriers are retained within the compartment of the container.

Abstract: According to the present teachings, systems, compositions, kits and methods for protein melt analysis are provided that utilizing a dye that is a dipyrrometheneboron difluoride compound. In some embodiments, a method comprises preparing a sample by mixing at least one protein with a dye, and applying a controlled heating, while recording the fluorescence emission of the sample.

Abstract: Systems and method for identifying variants associated with a genetic disease can include obtaining sequencing reads for a plurality of individuals for a list of variant positions. The reads can be compared to identify variants that are found in affected individuals and absent in non-affected individuals. Such variants can include loss of heterozygosity, trans-phased compound heterozygotes, increased frequency mitochondrial variants, homozygous recessive variants, de novo variants, sex-linked variants, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of recovering a bead support from an emulsion includes supplying an aqueous surfactant solution into a centrifuge tube; supplying a hydrophobic liquid over the surfactant solution in the centrifuge tube, wherein a ratio of the volume of the aqueous surfactant solution to the volume of the hydrophobic liquid is not greater than 0.5; and applying an emulsion over the hydrophobic liquid while centrifuging, the emulsion comprising a dispersed aqueous phase including the bead support, the emulsion breaking and material of the dispersed phase preferentially partitioning to the surfactant solution.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for image driven quality control for array based PCR. The system comprises a PCR unit, a reaction array plate, a convolutional neural network (CNN) configured to receive a sequence of images of the reaction array plate in the PCR system, and an output of the CNN coupled to a control for the reaction array plate. The method comprises applying a sequence of images from a plurality of subarrays of the reaction array plate to a plurality of CNNs during operation of the PCR system on the reaction plate array, operating the CNNs to generate failure mode predictions for the reaction plate based on the sequence of images, and coupling an output of the CNNs to one or more of a setting for manufacture of the reaction array plate or to control the PCR system.

Abstract: A method for collecting a sterilized fluid includes passing a fluid through an inlet stem and into a chamber of a storage container so that the fluid collects within the chamber of the storage container; and applying a beam of radiation to the inlet stem so that the beam of radiation passes through the inlet stem and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the inlet stem, the beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the inlet stem and into the chamber of the storage container.

Abstract: Efficient methods for production of targeted libraries from complex samples is desirable for a variety of nucleic acid analyses. Provided are methods of selectively blocking abundant targets present in a sample for preparing libraries of target nucleic acid sequences, thereby allowing for rapid production of highly multiplexed targeted libraries and analysis of low frequency sequences, including sequencing applications. Methods optionally include use of unique tag sequences. Methods comprise contacting a nucleic acid sample with a plurality of target specific primers or adapters capable of amplification of one or more target nucleic acid sequences under conditions wherein the target nucleic acid(s) undergo a first amplification; digesting the resulting first amplification products; ligating the digested target amplicons or repairing the digested target amplicons; and amplifying the ligated or repaired products in a second amplification, thereby producing a library of target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for coupling a tube to a tube fitting includes radially outwardly expanding a tubular compression collar from a constricted state to an expanded state, the compression collar having a throughway extending there through and being made of a resiliently flexible material. An end of the tube is inserted within the throughway of the expanded compression collar, the tube bounding a passage. A tube fitting is inserted within the passage of the tube. The compression collar is allowed to resiliently rebound back towards the constricted state so that the compression collar pushes the tube against the tube fitting.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes: a tubular compression collar having a tubular body made of a resiliently flexible polymeric material and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; an end of a tube disposed within a throughway of the compression collar; and a tube fitting disposed within the passageway of the tube. The tube fitting includes: a tubular stem; a flange radially outwardly projecting from an exterior surface of the stem; and an annular barb encircling and radially outwardly projecting from the exterior surface of the stem, the annular barb including a frustoconical outside face that extends along and outwardly slopes away from the stem as the outside face extends toward the flange. The compression collar radially inwardly compresses the tube against the annular barb of the tube fitting so that a liquid tight seal is formed between the tube and the tube fitting.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the extraction of nucleic acid from solid materials. Provided are useful compositions, methods, and kits for obtaining nucleic acids from a solid biological sample or an adhesive material having a biological material adherent or embedded within the adhesive substrate. The extracted nucleic acid can be used in downstream applications such as genotyping, detection, quantification, and identification of the source of the biological material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragments thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having lower systematic error as compared to a reference polymerase. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered properties.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a plurality of biological sample volumes comprises emitting, along an excitation optical path toward a sample holder holding the plurality of biological sample volumes, electromagnetic radiation from a broadband LED, wherein the broadband LED emits the electromagnetic radiation across a range of wavelengths at a total output power of at least 5 watts and at a maximum intensity at a wavelength less than 600 nanometers and at an intensity less than 30 percent of the maximum intensity at a wavelength of 650 or 670 nanometers, and receiving, by a sensor, an electromagnetic emission transmitted from the sample holder along an emission optical path.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequence mapping/assembly methods are disclosed. The methods initially map only a contiguous portion of each read to a reference sequence and then extends the mapping of the read at both ends of the mapped contiguous portion until the entire read is mapped (aligned). In various embodiments, a mapping score can be calculated for the read alignment using a scoring function, score (i, j)=M+mx, where M can be the number of matches in the extended alignment, x can be the number of mismatches in the alignment, and m can be a negative penalty for each mismatch. The mapping score can be utilized to rank or choose the best alignment for each read.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an ensemble of sequencing reads based on measurements from a plurality of microwells of a sensor array; assigning measured values to the ensemble of sequencing reads; calculating model-predicted values utilizing a predictive model of nucleotide incorporations resulting from flows of nucleotide species according to a predetermined order; modifying at least some model-predicted values using a first bias for forward strands and a second bias for reverse strands, the modifying based on variations between model-predicted values for different hypothesized sequences obtained using the predictive model of nucleotide incorporations resulting from the flows of nucleotide species according to the predetermined order; calculating a measurement confidence value for each read in the ensemble of sequencing reads, the confidence value representing variations between the measured values and the modified model-predicted values; and identifying a plurality of reads in the ensemble as corresponding t

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated biocontainment cell sorter that isolates portions of the cell sorter that can create contamination. Two containment systems are utilized. A main cabinet containment system contains input samples. An aerosol management containment area includes a nozzle chamber with a nozzle and a sort chamber with sort plates and collection media that collect a droplet stream from the nozzle. The main cabinet is maintained at a first low pressure and clean air is recirculated under a positive pressure. The aerosol management containment area is kept at a second low pressure, which is lower than the first pressure, so that contamination does not leak from the aerosol management containment area into the main cabinet containment area. A sliding sash window is located over an access opening in the main cabinet and can be moved to access different portions of the main cabinet without changing the substantially constant first low pressure in the main cabinet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual-stage fluidics system that has reduced pulsation. This system uses inexpensive peristaltic pumps and two reservoirs that dampen pulsations in pressure. Peristaltic pumps are used as air pressure pumps and sheath fluid pumps that are placed between the two pressurized reservoirs and isolate the two reservoirs. Since the two reservoirs are maintained at a substantially even pressure, pulsations are reduced so that the peristaltic pumps essentially provide air flow and sheath fluid flow as needed.