Abstract: The invention relates to a method of indirectly identifying a polynucleotide comprising an open reading frame having an improved expression level from a library of polynucleotides encoding the same polypeptide of interest, or variants or homologues thereof, in a host cell expression library, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an expression library in a host cell, said library comprising at least two different open reading frames encoding the same polypeptide of interest, or variants or homologues thereof, each open reading frame being translationally coupled to a downstream gene encoding a screenable or selectable reporter; b) culturing the host cell under conditions conducive to the expression of the polypeptide of interest, or variant or homologue thereof; and c) screening and/or selecting for a host cell having an improved expression level of the translationally coupled reporter when compared to one or more other host cells of the library, thus indirectly identifying a polynucleotide comprisi

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting elution of a sample from a sample substrate to incubation buffer contained in a sample well while the sample substrate is still within the well. The method comprises measuring light absorption of the contents of the sample well at a predefined wavelength or wavelength range, and determining, based on the absorption measurement, the degree of elution of the sample. According to the invention, a wavelength or wavelength range is used which is absorbed by at least one elutable component of the sample but transmitted by the sample substrate. The invention provides a reliable way of determining the degree of elution of blood samples in neonatal screening, for example.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the identification of one or more aptamers to at least one target molecule, the method comprising: selecting candidate aptamer sequences that bind to a target molecule, assigning to the bound sequences a measure (fitness function) of each sequence's aptameric potential, allowing evolution of some or all of the sequences to create a new mixture of candidate sequences, and repeating the method with the newly created candidate aptamer pool until the aggregate aptameric potential of the candidate pool reaches a plateau, wherein sequences present in the final pool are optimal aptamers to the target molecule.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genomic analysis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for mapping genomic interactions.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and array for replicating and analyzing one or a plurality of different target sequences in nucleic acid samples. The different reactions for replicating the target sequences occur simultaneously on an array with selectively heatable array elements with their reaction surfaces, some of which have been modified differently, and in the sample solution disposed thereabove. The target sequences are analyzed using molecular detection on reaction surfaces of said array that have been modified with probe strands. The target strands are replicated and analyzed simultaneously, successively, or alternately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for phage microarray profiling of cancer (e.g., prostate, lung, or breast cancer). The present invention further provides novel markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of cancers.

Abstract: Colloidal silica particles containing a fluorescent dye compound, composed of a silica particle containing a silica component and a fluorescent dye compound chemically bound or adsorbed thereto, wherein the colloidal silica particles containing a fluorescent dye compound have an average diameter of 30 nm or less, and wherein said silica particles are used simultaneously as fluorescent-labelling nanobeads; a fluorescent nano-material comprising said colloidal silica particles; and a biochip and an assay method using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are rapid and reproducible methods for separating and purifying nucleic acids from paraffin-containing tissue samples. The disclosed methods involve a melting step, where paraffin-containing tissue samples are heated in the presence of a detergent, causing the paraffin to melt and tissue sample cells to lyse. From the resulting two-phase mixture (i.e., a paraffin phase and an aqueous phase), the aqueous phase is collected for purification of nucleic acid. Protease(s) can be used at one or more points in the separation process to facilitate tissue cell lysis and/or degrade proteins that could degrade nucleic acid or interfere with subsequent genetic manipulation or analysis.

Abstract: A method of high throughput growth and quantitative analysis of microorganisms is provided that includes providing a microtiter plate growth and gas delivery system having well plates disposed for growth of the microorganisms, and providing a spectroscopic screening system disposed to analyze lipid inclusions of the microorganisms.

Abstract: A microarray package device and a method of manufacturing the same. An effective microarray analyzing reaction is performed by using the microarray package device that provides structural stability and reliable experimental results.

Abstract: The invention concerns a particle having a code from a library of codes embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle. In preferred embodiments, a thin film possesses porosity that varies in a manner to produce a code detectable in the reflectivity spectrum. An assay detection method uses such a particle and detects a spectral shift in the presence of an analyte. Additional embodiments are disclosed including additional features.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a conductive member for heating the interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a plurality of conductive members for heating an interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides a container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a first conductive member located in the interior volume and adapted to contact a first end of the microfluidic array.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a chemical composition of a specimen are described. The system can include at least one pin; a sampling device configured to contact a liquid with a specimen on the at least one pin to form a testing solution; and a stepper mechanism configured to move the at least one pin and the sampling device relative to one another. The system can also include an analytical instrument for determining a chemical composition of the specimen from the testing solution. In particular, the systems and methods described herein enable chemical analysis of specimens, such as tissue, to be evaluated in a manner that the spatial-resolution is limited by the size of the pins used to obtain tissue samples, not the size of the sampling device used to solubilize the samples coupled to the pins.

Abstract: Adherent cells bearing characteristics that are detectable only in the adherent state can be sorted on the basis of these characteristics independently of their adherent state, by applying a transformable label to the entire population of cells, both those bearing the characteristics of interest and those not, in their adherent state and identifying the locations of the cells of interest on the adherent surface. The cells of interest, or all cells other than those of interest, are then selectively treated to transform the labels and achieve differentiation between the cells of interest and the remaining cells. All cells are then released from the adherent state and sorted in the same manner as non-adherent cells but on the basis of whether the labels are transformed or not transformed.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for measuring the binding of analytes in solution to probes bound to surfaces in real-time. The method involves contacting a fluid volume having a plurality of different analytes with a solid substrate having a plurality of different probes. The probes are capable of specifically binding to the analytes. The method also involves measuring signals at multiple time points while the fluid volume is in contact with the substrate. The signals measured at multiple time points can be correlated with the amount of binding of the analytes with the probes. The method eliminates the need to wash the probes before measuring the binding characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stamping apparatus for biochips and a method of operating the stamping apparatus. The apparatus includes a table, a first chip table, a second chip table, a stamping unit and a control unit. The first chip table is provided on the table. A first biochip is seated onto the first ship table. A second biochip is seated onto the second chip table. The stamping unit is mounted to the table and operates the second chip table such that a surface of a junction of the second biochip seated on the second chip table is joined to a surface of a junction of the first biochip seated on the first chip table. The control unit controls operation of the first chip table or the second chip table.

Abstract: A nanocoaxial sensor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor, a dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors, a nanocavity sized to allow target species to enter the nanocavity between the outer and inner conductors, and an active sensing element immobilized within the nanocavity on at least one of the inner or outer conductors. The active sensing element is adapted to selectively capture the at least one of the target species.

Abstract: An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.

Abstract: A graphene nanomesh based charge sensor and method for producing a graphene nanomesh based charge sensor. The method includes generating multiple holes in graphene in a periodic way to create a graphene nanomesh with a patterned array of multiple holes, passivating an edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to allow for functionalization of the graphene nanomesh, and functionalizing the passivated edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh with a chemical compound that facilitates chemical binding of a receptor of a target molecule to the edge of one or more of the multiple holes, allowing the target molecule to bind to the receptor, causing a charge to be transferred to the graphene nanomesh to produce a graphene nanomesh based charge sensor for the target molecule.