Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The invention herein described relates to an assessment device comprising an assay part and a detachable recording part. The assessment device facilitates the rapid assaying and processing of tissue/fluid samples by healthcare workers. Also, advantageously, the result of the assay is only apparent to the healthcare worker after interrogation of the recording part at a processing facility.

Abstract: A peptide-coated nanoparticle that includes a nanocrystal core surrounded by a graded shell that is composed of at least two different semiconductor molecules. At least one peptide is attached to the surface of the graded shell to render the nanoparticle biocompatible. The nanocrystal core and graded shell are optionally annealed with ultra violet radiation prior to and/or after attachment of the peptide(s).

Abstract: A substrate for testing a carrier liquid for biomolecules using SPR or other techniques provides a metallic island surrounded by a hydrophobic layer, the islands being a location for the attachment of probe molecules. The hydrophobic layer may also be a dielectric material providing improved sensitivity in SPR imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices for measuring the concentration of target analytes present in a biological system using a series of measurements obtained from a monitoring system and a Mixtures of Experts (MOE) algorithm. In one embodiment, the present invention describes a method for measuring blood glucose in a subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

Abstract: Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles may be changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles may be made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.

Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle coated water-soluble polymeric substrate and the process for preparing and using the same is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting biomolecular interactions. The detection can occur without the use of labels and can be done in a high-throughput manner. The invention further relates to self-referencing colorimetric resonant optical biosensors and optical devices.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting a change in cell growth patterns, methods of screening many different antibodies in one receptacle, and methods of detecting specific binding of an antibody to a protein or cell, wherein the antibody is in a mixture of many different antibodies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

Abstract: Methods of improving microfluidic assays are disclosed. Assays can be improved (better signal to noise ratio) by using sessile drop evaporation as an analyte concentration step (enhanced signal) and repeated passes of wash droplets as a means to reduce non-specific binding (noise reduction). In addition multiple massively parallel analyses improve the statistical precision of the analyses.

Abstract: A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat is provided. The system includes a transparent, or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The sample tube has an elongated sidewall having a first cross-sectional inner diameter. The float consists of a main body portion and one or more support members protruding from the main body portion to engage and support the sidewall of the sample tube. The main body portion and the support members of the float have a cross-sectional diameter less than that of the first cross-sectional inner diameter of the tube when the sample tube is expanded, such as by centrifugation. The main body portion of the float together with an axially aligned portion of the sidewall define an annular volume therebetween.

Abstract: A substrate for forming a target substance detecting device includes a supporting member, an underlying layer disposed on a surface of the supporting member, and a metal pattern layer, disposed on a surface of the underlying layer, for being bound to a target substance trapping substance capable of trapping a target substance in a specimen solution at least containing water as a liquid medium to detect the target substance by utilizing plasmon resonance. The underlying layer has a refractive index nb satisfying the following relationship: 0.90 na?nb?1.05 na, wherein na represents a refractive index of water.

Abstract: The metal fine particles 33 are sparsely fixed on the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the acceptor 35 for attaching the specific ligand is immobilized on the transparent substrate 32 or the metal fine particles 33. The prism 36 is closely attached to the lower surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the excitation light enters the transparent substrate 32 through the prism 36. The incident light is totally reflected at the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the evanescent light generated at the surface and the metal fine particles 33 locally plasmon resonate. As the evanescent light and the metal fine particles locally plasmon resonate, a strong electric field is enclosed in the vicinity of the metal fine particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical sensing device including a source unit providing a beam of light with continuously modulated phase retardation between p- and s-polarization components of the light by employing a LCM; a reference unit receiving a first part of the light to provide a reference signal; a SPR sensing unit receiving a second part of the light to induce a phase retardation change between the p- and s-polarization components due to SPR associated with a sample; a probe unit receiving the light after SPR to provide a probe signal; and a detection unit connected to the reference unit and the probe unit to detect characteristics of the sample by comparing the reference signal with the probe signal. By using active phase modulation technologies and differential phase measurement, it is possible to fulfill chemical and biological detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for binding an analyte of interest in a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate with an exposed surface with an compound, that is electrostatically charged or capable of forming hydrogen bonds, provided bound to the solid substrate. A recombinant single chain antibody (scFv) molecule specific for the analyte of interest, having one or more amino acids with charged or hydrogen-bond forming sidechains in a linker polypeptide portion, is bound to the layer on the solid substrate. When the analyte of interest is present in the sample the scFv binds the analyte to the solid substrate. The apparatus can be used with an immunoglobulin layer to detect Fc receptors, so as to detect microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus having protein A or protein G.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and monitoring of ischemia, including but not limited to myocardial and cerebral ischemia, by measuring the concentration of molecules that do not originate from the ischemic tissue but whose concentration in the blood and other fluids changes as a consequence of the ischemic state.

Abstract: Provided are methods comprising the use of non-sugar organic compatible solutes for protection and preservation of the activity of biologically active molecules and conjugate labels. The methods are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with immunoassays, such as for example, immunochromatographic test assays and may be incorporated into any test methodology wherein a dry test strip is used as a carrier for depositing, mobilizeable and/or immobilized biologically active molecules and/or conjugate labels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting analytes in a medium, and more particularly the present invention relates to an assay based on light diffraction which appears or changes upon the binding of analytes to their specific receptors laid out in patterns on a substrate, which has high sensitivity due to the appropriate choice of such patterns. The present invention is based on the principle that the pattern of recognition elements, which gives rise to the diffraction of the incident light in a diffraction-based assay, can be chosen in such a way so as to facilitate detection, and to enhance the signal to be detected compared to known gratings such as parallel straight lines. In one aspect the substrate itself has a surface topography designed to enhance the diffraction pattern signals. In another aspect the substrate is a diffractive optic element having the analyte-specific receptors affixed to the optic element.