Abstract: A method of detection separation and identification for expressed trace protein/peptide; and a system therefor. There is provided a method of detecting, separating and identifying a minute amount of expressed protein and/or peptide, characterized in that a fluorescent derivative of protein and/or peptide contained in a test subject sample having been labeled with a fluorescence reagent is applied to HPLC; a fluorescent fraction is collected and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis; mass-spectrometry of the resultant fluorescence-labeled fragments and non-fluorescence-labeled fragments is carried out; and the thus obtained ion molecular weight information on each of the fragments is collated with an available protein and/or peptide fragment database to thereby accomplish a structural analysis. Further, there is provided an identification system therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for isolating particles from a biological fluid, including: obtaining a sample of biological fluid from a source (e.g. a patient) in which the sample contains particles of multiple sample particle types; tagging particles in the sample with tagging agents, including mixing the sample with a solution of magnetic tagging agents that selectively bind to particles of at least one of the sample particle types, thereby forming a group of tagged particles in the sample; passing the sample through a magnetic conduit having a magnetic field that interacts with at least some of the tagged particles; sorting the particles of the sample into multiple groups based on the interaction between the tagged particles and the magnetic field; and optionally returning selected portions of the processed fluid back to its source with or without the addition of appropriate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A biochemical reaction cassette comprises: a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance; a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate; an elastic member; and an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member.

Abstract: A biogenic substance concentration measuring apparatus includes an optical measuring apparatus for measuring optical properties of a first substrate and a second substrate by using a cell for biogenic substance concentration measurement that includes: the first substrate on which a plurality of first metallic nanorods, each of which is modified with a substance that bonds specifically to a test substance, are immobilized such that the long axes thereof are aligned in the same direction; and the second substrate on which a plurality of second metallic nanorods, each of which is modified with a blocking substance, are immobilized such that the long axes thereof are aligned perpendicularly to the long axes of the first metallic nanorods on the first substrate, and calculates a biogenic substance concentration with high accuracy from the optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step, wherein the identification purpose step is a detection step for the detection of an encoded microcarrier having an anisotropy in its shape. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of obtaining structural and functional information on proteins, based on polarization fluorescence microscopy, which comprises subjecting a protein tagged with a fluorophore to two- or multi-photon fluorescence microscopy, whereas the observed protein is irradiated with a laser beam with light of at least two different polarizations, which excites the fluorescence of the fluorophore, and wherein information on localization, intensities and polarizations of the fluorescence excited by the different polarizations of the excitation laser beam is used to identify, localize and quantify anisotropy of absorption and/or fluorescence, which information is then used to infer structural and functional properties of proteins.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for accurately imaging chemiluminescence and other luminescence are disclosed. A compact, flat-bed scanner having a light-tight enclosure, one or more detector bars of linear charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging chips, and high working numerical aperture (NA) optics scans closely over a sample in one direction and then the opposite direction. Averages or other combinations of intensity readings for each pixel location (x, y) between the two or more passes are averaged together in order to compensate for luminescence that varies over time. On-chip pixel binning and multiple clock frequencies can be used to maximize the signal to noise ratio in a CCD-based scanner.

Abstract: A biosensor that utilizes carbon nanotubes functionalized with a protein sequence. One domain of the multifunctional peptide sequence noncovalently binds to the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), while a second domain of the sequence recognizes and binds to a target molecule. The sequence of the peptide may be tailored to allow it to recognize and bind to specific target molecules, such as chemicals, biological materials, and explosives. The binding of the target molecule to the peptide may alter a material property of the SWNTs.

Abstract: Methods to detect stoichiometries of protein complexes and/or interactions between proteins based on detection and quantification of FRET and related systems and compositions.

Abstract: Provided are a lab-on-a-chip and a method of driving the same. The lab-on-a-chip includes a first region where a lower substrate and an upper substrate are bonded to each other, a second region where the lower and upper substrates are not bonded to each other, a gap control member disposed at a terminal of the second region facing an interface between the first and second regions, and configured to control a gap between the lower and upper substrates at the terminal of the second region, and a pressure application member disposed at the terminal of the second region facing the interface between the first and second regions, and configured to apply pressure to the upper substrate at the terminal of the second region to reduce a gap between the lower and upper substrates in the center of the second region. Thus, binding events between a fluid sample to be analyzed and a reagent can be maximized so that a high signal can be obtained using only an infinitesimal quantity of sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of magnetic-responsive micro-beads dispersed in a liquid sample. Also provided is a method and microfluidic immunoassay pScreen™ device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an analyte in a sample medium by using antigen-specific antibody-coated magnetic-responsive micro-beads. The methods and devices of the present invention have broad applications for point-of-care diagnostics by allowing quantification of a large variety of analytes, such as proteins, protein fragments, antigens, antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, RNA, RNA fragments, functionalized magnetic micro-beads specific to CD4+, CD8+ cells, malaria-infected red blood cells, cancer cells, cancer biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen and other cancer biomarkers, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic agents, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bench-top laboratory-based assays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test device and a method for qualitatively and/or quantitatively measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid sample. The test device includes a housing defining a sample port, a test well containing a stirrer and a conjugate, and a test strip disposed within the housing. The test well is also defined by being located between the sample port and the test strip. Fluid flows from the test well onto the test strip, which has a trapping zone which binds the analyte and allows for its detection. A control zone may also be included. The test device is generally adapted to use a sandwich assay. Also disclosed is a system comprising the test device and a signal sensing device; and a method for using the test device.

Abstract: A method for capillary electrophoretic analysis of a biological sample, comprising using negatively surcharged modified antibodies so that they migrate to a zone located outside the migration zone for proteins from the biological sample when they are separated during electrophoresis is disclosed. The antibodies have antigenic specificity for a predetermined target protein.

Abstract: A molecular sensor (10) comprises a flow path (12) configured for flowing a solution (28) potentially containing a target molecule (26). A source of polarized light (16) is provided and a detector (18) arranged to receive light from the source after it has passed through the flow path. A sensor element (19) is provided comprising a scaffold moiety (20) with a high aspect ratio disposed, in use, within the flow path and a receptor moiety (24), for the target molecule, attached to the scaffold moiety. A method for sensing a target molecule in a flowing solution is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber optic device consisting of a fiber bundle having multiple legs of silica fibers, using a plurality of microspheres construct to attach target cells, for the assay of cytotoxic compounds. Each leg of silica fibers consists of twenty-five or more silica fibers treated with biotin and streptavidin treated microspheres which chemically bind the microspheres to the silica fibers. Further, the present invention is directed to the unique microspheres. The microspheres have a core, preferably alginate, with an outer surface of chitosan. The present invention is further directed to the use of the described fiber optic device to isolate, research and develop biological medicaments and diagnostic cytotoxic compounds. The fiber optic device utilizes thousands of fibers and the unique microspheres to provide a high-throughput screening device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing immunological, histochemical and cytochemical, molecular biological, enzymological, clinical-chemical and other analyzes, wherein the device comprises an object holder having one or more elongate adhesive surfaces and a reagent holder having one or several channels. The object holder is detachably connectable to the reagent holder in such a manner that the elongate adhesive surfaces each face one of the channels and, when reaction partners bound to a solid phase are disposed on the elongate adhesive surfaces and reactants dissolved in liquid are present in the channels, the reaction partners and the reactants are in contact. Means are provided for preventing the liquid from passing from one channel into an adjacent channel.

Abstract: A nanopore capture system may include a material configured to pass through a nanopore device in a controlled manner based upon its interaction with the nanopore device. The system may also include a capture mechanism connected to one end of the material. The capture mechanism may be configured to catch a particular type of molecule while ignoring other types of molecules. The system may also include a controller to manipulate and/or detect the particular type of molecule.

Abstract: A system for processing oscillometric data from a plurality of pressure steps to determine the blood pressure of a patient as disclosed herein. A heart rate monitor connected to the patient acquires the patient's heart rate. A time to frequency domain converter receives oscillometric data and converts the oscillometric data into the frequency domain. A harmonic frequency calculator is connected to the heart rate monitor and derives at least the heart rate fundamental frequency. A filter connected to the time to frequency domain converter and the harmonic frequency calculator that produces a filter frequency domain oscillometric signal. A reconstruction calculator receives the filtered frequency domain oscillometric signal and reconstructs a time domain oscillometric signal. A method of computing an oscillometric envelope for use in determining the blood pressure of a patient is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a biological particle in a sample medium include generating an Electrophoretic Quasi-elastic Light Scattering (EQELS) spectrum for the biological particle in the sample medium. The EQELS spectrum is compared to a reference database comprising a plurality of spectra, and each of the plurality of spectra correspond to an EQELS spectrum for one of a plurality of known biological particles. The biological particle in the sample medium is identified from the comparison.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a biological particle in a sample medium include generating an Electrophoretic Quasi-elastic Light Scattering (EQELS) spectrum for the biological particle in the sample medium. The EQELS spectrum is compared to a reference database comprising a plurality of spectra, and each of the plurality of spectra correspond to an EQELS spectrum for one of a plurality of known biological particles. The biological particle in the sample medium is identified from the comparison.