Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-cost, thermally reversible valve for paper-fluidic diagnostic devices. In particular, this invention demonstrates a tunable valve mechanism fabricated by wax-ink printing and localized heating via thin-film resistors to sequentially release liquids through a cellulose or nitrocellulose membrane. The wax-ink valve can obstruct fluid flow for a sustained time and are thermally actuated to release a controlled amount of liquid past the valve. This integrated paper-fluidic diagnostic assay device requires minimal user involvement, can be easily manufactured and tuned to meet various fluid delivery timing and incubation needs.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with linear double stranded DNA, which is coupled to a single support or a tag at the 3? end of its non-coding strand and methods for producing said linear double stranded DNA. The present invention further relates to the use of said linear double stranded DNA in an RNA in vitro transcription reaction and also to a method for producing RNA in vitro. The present invention also relates to a bioreactor for RNA in vitro transcription.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for analysing single molecules, particularly to the parallel analysis of a plurality of single molecules. It is suitable for detecting interactions, e.g. binding between single molecules and/or reactions, e.g. elongation or degradation of single molecules. Particularly, the process of the invention relates to the sequencing of single nucleic acid molecules. The single molecule to be analysed is present in free form, i.e. dissolved or suspended in a liquid medium, within a reaction space formed around the sample spot. According to the present invention, an electrical field is applied across the reaction space, whereby a concentration of single molecules, at the sample spots is effected.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for sequencing nucleic acid molecules in a manner that enables higher sequencing accuracy. Methods and systems provided herein may enable sequences that may have low-accuracy reads, such as homopolymer sequences or other repeating sequences, to be determined at a higher accuracy and efficiency.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is intended for the analysis of a biological sample containing biological species. The system includes an optical detection device having a source configured to emit an optical signal and at least one sensor having a capture surface defining an optical signal reading zone. The system also includes a microfluidic device having a support in which an amplification chamber, in which an amplification reaction can be carried out, is made, and having an input channel opening into the amplification chamber. The amplification chamber includes at least one first zone located in the sensor reading zone and at least one protuberance forming a recess intended to receive a compound for internal control of the amplification reaction and arranged to be located outside the sensor reading zone or configured to be opaque to said optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention regards a variety of methods and compositions for whole genome amplification and whole transcriptome amplification. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there is a method of amplifying a genome comprising a library generation step followed by a library amplification step. In specific embodiments, the library generating step utilizes specific primer mixtures and a DNA polymerase, wherein the specific primer mixtures are designed to eliminate ability to self-hybridize and/or hybridize to other primers within a mixture but efficiently and frequently prime nucleic acid templates.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for cell-free DNA extraction from liquid biological samples. The methods can be employed for determination of fetal DNA fraction and non-invasive prenatal screening of fetal aneuploidies and analyses of other types of cell-free DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes and primers beneficial for conducting amplification assays, such as those including loop-mediated isothermal amplification reactions. Also described herein are methods for detecting targets using such probes and/or primers.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides high-throughput methods for performing genomic DNA methylation assessments. The presently disclosed subject matter further provides methods for diagnosing a subject with a disease and/or disorder, and for determining the prognosis of a subject that has a disease and/or disorder. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a diagnostic method that includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject; determining the methylation status of one or more genomic DNA loci in one or more cells of the biological sample; and diagnosing a disease and/or disorder in the subject, wherein the methylation status of the one or more genomic DNA loci indicates the presence of the disease and/or disorder in the subject.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, among other things, a reagent system for nucleic acid analysis. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of oligonucleotide sets each set comprising at least (a) a competitor oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a target sequence and varies in concentration from mixture to mixture and (b) a detector oligonucleotide that also hybridizes to the target sequence and contains a barcode that indicates the concentration of the competitor oligonucleotide in the oligonucleotide set. The reagent system may be used to analyze a nucleic acid sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of amplifying a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the method comprises subjecting a reaction mixture to at least one amplification cycle, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a double-stranded nucleic acid and at least two primers capable of annealing to complementary strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid and amplifying at least one short tandem repeat (STR) using a Family A DNA polymerase in a Fast PCR protocol having a two-step amplification cycle in 25 seconds or less. Also disclosed are real-time PCR methods using the two-step protocol and kits for STR profiling using the Fast PCR protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection method for detecting a target RNA contained in a sample with high sensitivity by using nicking/extension chain reaction system-based isothermal nucleic acid amplification (NESBA) that uses activity of a cleavage enzyme and a DNA polymerase. The NESBA of the present invention is a new concept isothermal target RNA detection method that realizes higher amplification efficiency than the existing NASBA technology and is deemed to be utilizable as a new concept diagnosis technology that can replace conventional target RNA detection technologies.

Abstract: Provided is a method of accurate and sensitive characterization and prognosis of colorectal cancer in a subject. The method includes obtaining a cancer tissue from the subject and determining the expression level of a miRNA and a target gene of the miRNA. Also provided is a kit for prognosis of colorectal cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are assays and kits capable of specifically detecting Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in a nucleic acid sample. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sample is obtained from shrimp tissue, shrimp feed, or a feed ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a corn plant designated MON88017 and DNA compositions contained therein. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the corn plant MON88017 based on a DNA sequence and the use of this DNA sequence as a molecular marker in a DNA detection method.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for the measurement of the quantity of a nucleic acid target in a sample.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for discretizing and analyzing fluidic samples are provided. In one aspect, a microfluidic array for discretizing a fluidic sample comprises one or more flow channels and a plurality of fluidic compartments in fluidic communication with the one or more flow channels. In another aspect, a system for discretizing and analyzing fluidic samples comprises a rotor assembly shaped to receive a microfluidic device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, reagent kits, and compositions for performing a bisulfite conversion of DNA directly from a biological sample including a patient's urine sample or a slide-mounted FFPE tissue sample. For example, a method of performing a bisulfite conversion of DNA can comprise certain preliminary steps for processing the biological sample and transferring a portion of the processed sample into a reaction vessel containing a bisulfite mixture. The method can further comprise heating the reaction vessel containing the biological sample and the bisulfite mixture at several heating temperatures and subsequently holding the reaction vessel at a holding temperature for a holding period. The method can also comprise certain bisulfite removal steps, desulfonation steps, and removal of the desulfonation solution. A final elution step can yield the converted DNA for further downstream sequencing and analysis.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, kits, and methods for the accurate detection of Listeria. In certain aspects and embodiments, the compositions, kits, and methods may provide improvements in relation to specificity, sensitivity, and speed of detection.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device and the use thereof with a test card are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for monitoring a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a vacuum source configured to pull the fluid sample through a microchannel, a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction while the fluid sample is located within the microchannel, a light source configured to illuminate the polymerase chain reaction while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, a camera imaging device configured to record an image of the polymerase chain reaction while the light source illuminates the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to analyze the image of the polymerase chain reaction and output a resulting analysis of the polymerase chain reaction.