Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for performing droplet-based assays that are controlled and/or calibrated using signals detected from droplets.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for performing droplet-based tests of nucleic acid amplification that are controlled and/or calibrated using signals detected from droplets.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for detection of spaced droplets.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for making and using a stabilized emulsion. A method of generating a stabilized emulsion is provided. In the method, an aqueous phase may be provided. The aqueous phase may include an effective concentration of one or more skin-forming proteins. An emulsion may be formed. The emulsion may include droplets of a dispersed phase disposed in a continuous phase, with the aqueous phase being the continuous phase or the dispersed phase. The emulsion may be heated to create an interfacial skin between each droplet and the continuous phase, to transform the droplets into capsules.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for assays with an emulsion including capsules. A method of performing an assay is provided. In the method, an aqueous phase may be provided. The aqueous phase may include a sample and an effective concentration of one or more skin-forming proteins. An emulsion may be formed. The emulsion may include droplets of the aqueous phase disposed in a nonaqueous continuous phase. The emulsion may be heated to create an interfacial skin between each droplet and the continuous phase, to transform the droplets into capsules. Assay data related to the sample may be collected from the capsules.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for making and using compound droplets of a multiple emulsion to supply an amplification reagent, such as a heat-stable DNA polymerase or DNA ligase, to an aqueous phase in which the compound droplets are disposed. The compound droplets may be induced to supply the amplification reagent by heating the multiple emulsion, to achieve hot-start amplification.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some cases, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.

Abstract: System, including method and apparatus, for performing droplet-based assays. In the method, an emulsion may be obtained that includes droplets packed closely together in a three-dimensional packing arrangement. Data related to an analyte may be collected from individual droplets of the reacted emulsion as such droplets travel serially through a detection region.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for forming an array of emulsions. The system may comprise a plate including an array of emulsion production units. Each unit may include at least one first input well, a second input well, and an output well connected to the first and second input wells by channels that form a droplet generator. The system also may comprise a vacuum or pressure source configured to be connected operatively to wells of the plate to form a pressure drop between the input wells and the output well of each unit that is capable of driving a first fluid and a second fluid from respective first and second input wells of such unit and through the droplet generator, for collection as an emulsion in the output well of such unit.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for performing droplet-based assays. The system may comprise a droplet transporter configured to pick up droplets from each emulsion of an array of reacted emulsions and to drive flow of the droplets through a detection region. The system also may comprise a detector configured to collect data related to one or more analytes from individual droplets of the reacted emulsions as such individual droplets travel through the detection region. The system further may comprise a controller programmed to determine, based on the data collected, an aspect of the one or more analytes in one or more samples included in droplets of the emulsions.

Abstract: A system, including method and apparatus, for forming an array of emulsions. The system may include a plate providing an array of emulsion production units each configured to produce a separate emulsion and each including a set of wells interconnected by channels that intersect to form a site of droplet generation. Each set of wells, in turn, may include (1) at least one first input well to receive a continuous phase, (2) a second input well to receive a dispersed phase, and (3) an output well configured to receive from the site of droplet generation an emulsion of droplets of the dispersed phase disposed in the continuous phase.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for the mixing of small volumes of fluid by coalescence of multiple emulsions.