Abstract: An integrated biosensor system for the simultaneously detection of a plurality of different types of targets includes at least one sampling platform, the sampling platform including a plurality of receptors for binding to the targets. The plurality of receptors include at least one protein receptor and at least one nucleic acid receptor. At least one excitation source of electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency is provided for irradiating the receptors, wherein electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency different from the first frequency is emitted in response to irradiating when at least one of the different types of targets are bound to the receptor probes. An integrated circuit detector system having a plurality of detection channels is also provided for detecting electromagnetic radiation at said second frequency, the detection channels each including at least one detector.

Abstract: Electrochemical test strips and methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject test strips have a reaction zone defined by opposing metal electrodes separated by a thin spacer layer. The metal surface of at least one of the electrodes is modified by a homogenous surface modification layer made up of linear self-assembling molecules having a first sulfhydryl end group and a second sulfonate end group separated by a short chain alkyl linking group, where 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof is preferred in certain embodiments. The subject electrochemical test strips find application in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, and are particularly suited for use the detection of gluose.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and device for performing automated SELEX. The steps of the SELEX process are performed at one or more work stations on a work surface by a robotic manipulator controlled by a computer. The invention also includes methods and reagents to obviate the need for size-fractionation of amplified candidate nucleic acids before beginning the next round of the SELEX process.

Abstract: Methods for isothermal exponential amplification of a target polynucleotide are disclosed. The methods employ two transcription modules, the first module providing linear amplification resulting in RNA transcripts, and a second module providing for further (generally cyclical) amplification resulting in more RNA transcripts. In one aspect, the amplification of the first module is composite primer based. In a second aspect, the amplification of the first module is based on target switching to generate a primer extension product comprising a promoter sequence. In all aspects, the RNA transcripts of the first transcription module are subjected to further amplification by creating an intermediate product comprising a double stranded promoter region from which transcription can occur. The invention further provides compositions and kits for practicing said methods, as well as methods which use the amplification results.

Abstract: In a PCR reaction, an extremely minute amount of a solution introduced by an ink-jet method is retained on a substrate for a long period of time without evaporation. On a substrate, a layer of liquid, that is hardly miscible with an extremely minute amount of a solution (minute droplet) intended to be retained, is formed. In the liquid layer, a minute droplet is held in contact with a surface of the substrate. If the minute droplet is aqueous, the liquid layer coated over the surface of the substrate may be oily.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for synthesizing a plurality of compounds on the surface of supports. Biopolymer features are attached to the surfaces of the supports. The synthesis generally comprises a plurality of steps. In the present invention at least two of the steps are performed by placing a support having a functionalized surface into a chamber of a flow cell and subjecting the surface to a step of the synthesis and placing the support into a chamber of another flow cell and subjecting the surface to another step of the synthesis. An apparatus generally comprises a plurality of flow cells and one or more fluid dispensing stations are mounted on the platform and are in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of flow cells. A station for monomer addition to the surface of the support is mounted on the platform. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for moving a support to and from the station for monomer addition and a flow cell and from one flow cell to another flow cell.

Abstract: A DNA chip includes a large number of minute spots formed by dripping sample solutions onto a base plate. The base plate is provided with positional deviation-correcting means for displacing the spots and automatically correcting any positional deviation of each of the spots. The positional deviation-correcting means includes any one of at least one projection, at least one recess and electric field-generating means for providing charged states on the base plate centered at a correct position for each of the spots supplied on the base plate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the stabilization of a fluid drop comprising a liquid solvent and solute, so that upon drying of the solvent, the solute is not preferentially concentrated at the edges of the residual spot, and more particularly relates to the preparation of microarrays containing biological reagents.

Abstract: The invention includes kits and methods for assessing the susceptibility of a mammal such as a human for carcinogenesis. The methods comprise determining whether the mammal comprises a certain allele of the mammal's odc gene. The methods include use of a probe which binds specifically with a portion of one allele of the odc gene and which comprises a fluorescent label and a fluorescence quencher. The methods also include use of such a probe and a polymerase enzyme for amplifying a portion of the odc gene, the polymerase having exonuclease activity whereby the probe can be nucleolytically degraded.

Abstract: This invention provides sensitive nucleic acid hybridization assay methods for the detection of non-polio enterovirus nucleic acids. The methods are particularly useful in detecting the presence of enterovirus nucleic acids in a biological sample and for ascertaining the serotype of enteroviruses present in a sample.