Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of obtaining and manipulating nucleic acids from samples. In some embodiments, the samples are known to comprise or are suspected of comprising microorganisms such as bacteria and the methods of the invention are used to identify such microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention provides structures and methods that allow polymers of any length, including nucleic acids, to be stretched into a long, linear conformation for further analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for preparing a fluid sample, including but not limited to a sample comprising genomic DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for preparing a fluid sample, including but not limited to a sample comprising genomic DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, methods for analyzing populations nucleic acids including nucleic acids from different subjects or different samples such as bacteria in biomes, and for identifying nucleic acids present in such populations. A non-limiting example is an analysis of bacteria in biomes. Another example is an analysis of DNA from different human subjects.

Abstract: The invention provides structures and methods that allow polymers of any length, including nucleic acids, to be stretched into a long, linear conformation for further analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures and methods that allow polymers of any length, including nucleic acids containing entire genomes, to be stretched into a long, linear conformation for further analysis. The present invention also provides structures and methods for selecting and stretching polymers based on their lengths. Polymers are loaded into a device and run through the structures. Stretching is achieved by, e.g., applying shear forces as the polymer passes through the structures, placing obstacles in the path of the polymer, or a combination thereof. Since multiple molecules may be stretched in succession, extremely high throughput screening, e.g., screening of more than one molecule per second, is achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for improved spatial resolution of signal detection, particularly as applied to the analysis of polymers such as biological polymers. Some of the methods and systems comprise differentially tagging polymers in order to increase resolution. Some of the methods and systems comprise techniques for improving the precision of separation distance measurements, without necessarily requiring improvements in the known detection resolution of prior art systems.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to devices and methods of use thereof for concentrating, positioning and/or manipulating agents within a fluid, including but not limited to genomic DNA.

Abstract: A method of controlling the concentration of a sample flowing through a microchannel is provided. The method includes flowing a sample carrier fluid from a sample carrier channel and into an upstream portion of a microchannel such that the sample carrier fluid flows from the upstream portion and toward a downstream portion of the microchannel, and flowing a sheathing fluid from a sheathing fluid channel and into the upstream portion of the microchannel such that the sheathing fluid flows from the upstream portion and toward the downstream portion of the microchannel, and generally parallel to the sample carrier fluid. The method further includes detecting a concentration of a sample in the sample carrier fluid in the downstream portion of the microchannel, and adjusting a flow rate of at least one of the sample carrier fluid and the sheathing fluid based upon the detected concentration of the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the manipulation and processing of data from direct linear analysis of polymers such as nucleic acids. The resultant processed data is used to identify nucleic acids and/or their biological sources, and/or to identify mutations in the polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for identifying, quantitating and/or analyzing analytes from samples. The analytes may be organic or inorganic in nature and include but are not limited to pathogens such as viruses.