Abstract: The present invention provides a high-throughput system for determining linkage of distinct polynucleotides and determining the sequence of polynucleotides that are linked to the distinct polynucleotides. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing transgenes in a transformed host organism. The disclosed methods provide for the detection of linkage between distinct transgenic polynucleotides in transformed hosts and sequencing of DNA regions linked to the distinct transgenic polynucleotides. Methods for identifying a transgenic plant containing a transgene insertion in an undesirable genomic location are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for immunoassaying a sample comprising providing magnetic beads, connecting signal molecules to the beads, connecting the sample to the magnetic beads with the connected signal molecules, magnetically trapping the magnetic beads with the connected signal molecules and the sample, lysising the sample, and analyzing the sample.

Abstract: An automated macromolecular method and system for detecting crystals in two-dimensional images, such as light microscopy images obtained from an array of crystallization screens. Edges are detected from the images by identifying local maxima of a phase congruency-based function associated with each image. The detected edges are segmented into discrete line segments, which are subsequently geometrically evaluated with respect to each other to identify any crystal-like qualities such as, for example, parallel lines, facing each other, similarity in length, and relative proximity. And from the evaluation a determination is made as to whether crystals are present in each image.

Abstract: A system for sampling air and collecting particles entrained in the air that potentially include bioagents. The system comprises providing a receiving surface, directing a liquid to the receiving surface and producing a liquid surface. Collecting samples of the air and directing the samples of air so that the samples of air with particles entrained in the air impact the liquid surface. The particles potentially including bioagents become captured in the liquid. The air with particles entrained in the air impacts the liquid surface with sufficient velocity to entrain the particles into the liquid but cause minor turbulence. The liquid surface has a surface tension and the collector samples the air and directs the air to the liquid surface so that the air with particles entrained in the air impacts the liquid surface with sufficient velocity to entrain the particles into the liquid, but cause minor turbulence on the surface resulting in insignificant evaporation of the liquid.

Abstract: A system for sampling air and collecting particles potentially including bioagents entrained in the air for detection. The system comprises collecting a sample of the air with the particles entrained in the air, directing the sample to a receiving surface, directing a liquid to the receiving surface thereby producing a liquid surface, wherein the particles potentially including bioagents become captured in the liquid, and heating the liquid wherein the particles potentially including bioagents become heated to lysis the bioagents.

Abstract: A system for sampling air and collecting particles entrained in the air comprising a receiving surface, a liquid input that directs liquid to the receiving surface and produces a liquid surface, an air input that directs the air so that the air with particles entrained in the air impact the liquid surface, and an electrostatic contact connected to the liquid that imparts an electric charge to the liquid. The particles potentially including bioagents become captured in the liquid by the air with particles entrained in the air impacting the liquid surface. Collection efficiency is improved by the electrostatic contact electrically charging the liquid. The effects of impaction and adhesion due to electrically charging the liquid allows a unique combination in a particle capture medium that has a low fluid consumption rate while maintaining high efficiency.

Abstract: A method of whole genome amplification of a nucleic acid sample comprising providing a starting template of the nucleic acid sample, bringing the template together with blocking DNA, bringing the template together with DNA polymerase, and multiple displacement amplification of the template. The method can be used with a starting template of less than 1 ng of the nucleic acid sample.

Abstract: A flow control device for containers of liquid and viscous materials include an air vent by-pass positioned within the container and extending into an enlarged area of the container. The flow control device enables a more smooth and uniform pouring of low viscosity liquids and viscous materials, and reduces or eliminates the intermittent flow associated with prior art containers for these materials. The invention is particularly useful when disposed within a hollow handle. Operation of the by-pass device may be augmented by a closure orifice positioned near the top of the container. Alternatively, the closure orifice may be used by itself for smaller container sizes, but with less flow control effect.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are siHybrids used for gene silencing. An siHybrid is a short double-stranded molecule comprised of one strand of DNA and one strand of RNA, annealed together, with a 2-base overhang at each 3? end. In addition to DNA and RNA, it may contain PNA or other nucleic acid analogs. siHybrids can silence a gene with greater magnitude and duration than siRNA. sihybrids are ideal candidates for pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents for treating diseases caused by an over-expressed gene or a cancerous gene. siHybrids can be used as antivirus agents, fungicides, herbicides or pesticides. An appropriate siHybrid can be designed to silence any gene in any eukaryotic cell or organism.

Abstract: A system for nucleic acid capture and amplification comprising introducing a sample potentially containing the nucleic acid into a packed bed wherein the nucleic acid adheres to the packed bed, introducing an amplification mix into the packed bed, and thermal cycling the packed bed and the nucleic acid between denaturation and annealing temperatures for PCR amplification. One embodiment provides an apparatus for DNA capture and amplification comprising a tubing or housing having a cavity, bed media in the cavity, and a heater operatively connected to the tubing or housing.

Abstract: A method of creating a repetitive sequence-free DNA library comprising the steps of providing a DNA library, providing an amplification mixture from the DNA library, and adding a repetitive sequence fraction DNA to the amplification mixture to produce the repetitive sequence-free DNA library. The invention also provides a method of creating a whole chromosome painting probe comprising the steps of providing a DNA library, providing an amplification mixture from the DNA library, adding a repetitive sequence fraction DNA to the amplification mixture to produce the repetitive sequence-free DNA library, and labeling the repetitive sequence-free DNA library to produce the whole chromosome painting probe.

Abstract: A system for locating a cell for analysis. A capture structure is provided with a flow channel in the capture structure and a capture well in the flow channel. A fluid flows along the fluid flow channel and through the capture well. The cell flows with the fluid along the flow channel into the capture well but no further. In one embodiment a capture structure is provided and a flow channel and capture well are located in the capture structure. A fluid carrying the cell flows along the fluid flow channel and into the capture well. The cell flows into the capture well but no further.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a DNA molecule of user-defined sequence. The method comprises the steps of preselecting a multiplicity of DNA sequence segments that will comprise the DNA molecule of user-defined sequence, separating the DNA sequence segments temporally, and combining the multiplicity of DNA sequence segments with at least one polymerase enzyme wherein the multiplicity of DNA sequence segments join to produce the DNA molecule of user-defined sequence. Sequence segments may be of length n, where n is an even or odd integer. In one embodiment the length of desired hybridizing overlap is specified by the user and the sequences and the protocol for combining them are guided by computational (bioinformatics) predictions. In one embodiment sequence segments are combined from multiple reading frames to span the same region of a sequence, so that multiple desired hybridizations may occur with different overlap lengths. In one embodiment starting sequence fragments are of different lengths, n, n+1, n+2, etc.

Abstract: A method of making very long, double-stranded synthetic poly-nucleotides. A multiplicity of short oligonucleotides is provided. The short oligonucleotides are sequentially hybridized to each other. Enzymatic ligation of the oligonucleotides provides a contiguous piece of PCR-ready DNA of predetermined sequence.