Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an array of layers of amphiphilic molecules, the apparatus comprising: a body, formed in a surface of the body, an array of sensor wells capable of supporting a layer of amphiphilic molecules across the sensor wells, the sensor wells each containing an electrode for connection to an electrical circuit, and formed in the surface of the body between the sensor wells, flow control wells capable of smoothing the flow of a fluid across the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining the presence, absence or characteristics of an analyte. The analyte is coupled to a membrane. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: The invention relates to adaptors for sequencing nucleic acids. The adaptors may be used to generate single stranded constructs of nucleic acid for sequencing purposes. Such constructs may contain both strands from a double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) template. The invention also relates to the constructs generated using the adaptors, methods of making the adaptors and constructs, as well as methods of sequencing double stranded nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying a template double stranded polynucleotide, especially for characterization using nanopore sequencing. The method produces from the template a plurality of modified double stranded polynucleotides. These modified polynucleotides can then be characterized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterizing a target RNA polynucleotide by taking one or more measurements as the target RNA polynucleotide moves with respect to a transmembrane pore. The movement is controlled by a DNA helicase. The invention also relates to a modified RNA construct wherein the RNA polynucleotide has been modified to increase DNA helicase binding thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to new methods of controlling the movement of polynucleotides through transmembrane pores. The invention also relates to new methods of characterising target polynucleotides using helicases.

Abstract: The invention relates to hetero-oligomeric pores derived from Msp. The invention also relates to polynucleotide characterisation using the hetero-oligomeric pores.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the movement of a target polynucleotide with respect to a transmembrane pore when the movement is controlled by a polynucleotide binding protein. The invention also relates to improved transmembrane pores and polynucleotide binding proteins.

Abstract: A sequence of polymer units in a polymer (3), eg. DNA, is estimated from at least one series of measurements related to the polymer, eg. ion current as a function of translocation through a nanopore (1), wherein the value of each measurement is dependent on a k-mer being a group of k polymer units (4). A probabilistic model, especially a hidden Markov model (HMM), is provided, comprising, for a set of possible k-mers: transition weightings representing the chances of transitions from origin k-mers to destination k-mers; and emission weightings in respect of each k-mer that represent the chances of observing given values of measurements for that k-mer. The series of measurements is analysed using an analytical technique, eg. Viterbi decoding, that refers to the model and estimates at least one estimated sequence of polymer units in the polymer based on the likelihood predicted by the model of the series of measurements being produced by sequences of polymer units.

Abstract: A pump for use in low-profile applications comprises a barrel for holding fluid; and a piston that converts a rotational driving force into a longitudinal driving motion within the barrel. The pump provides space saving advantages by reducing the need for external equipment and mechanisms around the pump for providing actuation or moving the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant forms of the outer membrane-located lipoprotein CsgG, in particular, modifications at one or more of positions Tyr51; Asn55; and Phe56. The invention also relates to analyte detection and characterisation using said mutant CsgG.

Abstract: An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to new methods of controlling the movement of polynucleotides through transmembrane pores. The invention also relates to new methods of characterizing target polynucleotides using helicases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterizing a target polynucleotide. The method uses a pore and a RecD helicase. The helicase controls the movement of the target polynucleotide through the pore.

Abstract: An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to new methods of attaching one or more polynucleotide binding proteins to a target polynucleotide. The invention also relates to new methods of characterizing target polynucleotides.

Abstract: A sensor system (1) for measuring an electrical signal across a lipid bilayer is formed by a cell (2) and an electrical reader unit (3) which are connectable together. The cell (2) is capable of supporting a lipid bilayer across an aperture (11) in a membrane (10) and has a construction which is cheap to manufacture. The reader unit (3) is a portable device which monitors an electrical signal generated in the connected cell (2) to allow analysis of that electrical signal. The sensor system (1) is intended for use outside of a laboratory setting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining the presence, absence or characteristics of an analyte. The analyte is coupled to a membrane. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises: a sensor provided in a sensing chamber; a liquid inlet and liquid outlet connecting to the sensor chamber for respectively passing liquid into and out of the sensing chamber and; a sample input port in fluid communication with the liquid inlet; a liquid collection channel downstream of the sensing chamber outlet; a flow path interruption between the liquid outlet and the liquid collection channel, preventing liquid from flowing into the liquid collection channel from upstream; a buffer liquid filling from the sample input port to the sensing chamber, and filling the sensing chamber and filing from the liquid outlet to the flow path interruption; an activation system operable to complete the flow path between the liquid outlet and the liquid collection channel such that the sensor remains unexposed to gas or a gas/liquid interface.