Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for drug discovery, drug development, drug screening, or drug validation. The system includes: a sample chamber comprising a target protein and a drug candidate that may interfere with the target protein in the sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is configured to: detect one or more of the following: (a) interference between the drug candidate the target protein and/or (b) one or more dynamics of the drug candidate on the target protein, wherein the one or more dynamics comprise affinity of the drug candidate to the target protein, and select the drug candidate if one or more desirable dynamics is detected. The system includes one or more immobilized surfaces and is configured to detect interactions between the drug candidate and the target protein at the single-molecule level.

Abstract: A portable system for extracting, optionally amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip in combination with a mobile device system for analyzing detected signals, and comparing and distributing the results via a wireless network. Related systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for drug discovery, drug development, drug screening, or drug validation. The system includes: a sample chamber comprising a target protein and a drug candidate that may interfere with the target protein in the sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is configured to: detect one or more of the following: (a) interference between the drug candidate the target protein and/or (b) one or more dynamics of the drug candidate on the target protein, wherein the one or more dynamics comprise affinity of the drug candidate to the target protein, and select the drug candidate if one or more desirable dynamics is detected. The system includes one or more immobilized surfaces and is configured to detect interactions between the drug candidate and the target protein at the single-molecule level.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for rapid analysis of biological samples. The system includes: a mobile device that receives at least one integrated chip. The mobile device processes the integrated chip to analyze a biological sample loaded thereon. The mobile device and the integrated chip together are configured to perform at least one of manipulation and control of a molecule or a fluidic system on the integrated chip. The mobile device and integrated chip together are configured to precision control at least one parameter that governs at least one of a plurality of steps of the analysis of the biological sample to within plus or minus 10%, plus or minus 1%, plus or minus 0.1%, plus or minus 0.01%, plus or minus 0.001% or plus or minus 0.0001%.

Abstract: A portable system for extracting, optionally amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip in combination with a mobile device system for analyzing detected signals, and comparing and distributing the results via a wireless network. Related systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A portable system for extracting, optionally amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip in combination with a mobile device system for analyzing detected signals, and comparing and distributing the results via a wireless network. Related systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for drug discovery, drug development, drug screening, or drug validation. The system includes: a sample chamber comprising a target protein and a drug candidate that may interfere with the target protein in the sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is configured to: detect one or more of the following: (a) interference between the drug candidate the target protein and/or (b) one or more dynamics of the drug candidate on the target protein, wherein the one or more dynamics comprise affinity of the drug candidate to the target protein, and select the drug candidate if one or more desirable dynamics is detected. The system includes one or more immobilized surfaces and is configured to detect interactions between the drug candidate and the target protein at the single-molecule level.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and apparatuses for single molecule drug screening, discovery and validation. These methods and apparatuses allow a user to detect rapidly, using observation of single molecules, whether and how a drug candidate interferes with a target enzyme involved in a particular disease pathway. The methods and apparatuses described herein utilize single molecule manipulation and detection technologies (e.g., optical or magnetic tweezers) to directly detect whether the characteristic dynamics, or “mechanical signature,” of the target enzyme-substrate interaction are substantially altered or modulated by a drug candidate. Furthermore, the methods and apparatuses are useful for analyzing the modulation of the mechanical signature in order to identify potential interference mechanisms of a drug candidate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and materials for producing biofuels under nanoscale control (“nanobiofuels”) are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides method for producing a biofuel, including providing a hydrocarbon producing organism; exposing the biological hydrocarbon producing organism to conditions effective to cause substantial release of the hydrocarbon from the biological hydrocarbon producing organism; and isolating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon. At least one of the actions of providing, exposing, and isolating is performed using a corresponding nanoscale control.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and apparatuses for single molecule drug screening, discovery and validation. These methods and apparatuses allow a user to detect rapidly, using observation of single molecules, whether and how a drug candidate interferes with a target enzyme involved in a particular disease pathway. The methods and apparatuses described herein utilize single molecule manipulation and detection technologies (e.g., optical or magnetic tweezers) to directly detect whether the characteristic dynamics, or “mechanical signature,” of the target enzyme-substrate interaction are substantially altered or modulated by a drug candidate. Furthermore, the methods and apparatuses are useful for analyzing the modulation of the mechanical signature in order to identify potential interference mechanisms of a drug candidate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and materials for producing biofuels under nanoscale control (“nanobiofuels”) are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides method for producing a biofuel, including providing a hydrocarbon producing organism; exposing the biological hydrocarbon producing organism to conditions effective to cause substantial release of the hydrocarbon from the biological hydrocarbon producing organism; and isolating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon. At least one of the actions of providing, exposing, and isolating is performed using a corresponding nanoscale control.

Abstract: A portable system for extracting, optionally amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip in combination with a mobile device system for analyzing detected signals, and comparing and distributing the results via a wireless network. Related systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A portable system for extracting, optionally amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip in combination with a mobile device system for analyzing detected signals, and comparing and distributing the results via a wireless network. Related systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and compositions are described that provide for amplification of nucleic acid sequences without reliance upon temperature cycling, thus freeing the methods from conventional benchtop thermal cycling devices. Denaturation of double stranded nucleic acids, primer annealing, and precision control over primer extension by polymerase can be accomplished by applying stress to a nucleic acid. These methods can provide one or more benefits over conventional PCR methods including: precision control over the PCR process; generally improved fidelity; improved accuracy over problematic sequences such as GC-rich or tandem repeat regions; greater sequence length; increased reaction yield; reduced experimental time; greater efficiency; lower cost; greater portability; and, robustness to various environmental parameters, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strengths.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and materials for producing biofuels under nanoscale control (“nanobiofuels”) are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides method for producing a biofuel, including providing a hydrocarbon producing organism; exposing the biological hydrocarbon producing organism to conditions effective to cause substantial release of the hydrocarbon from the biological hydrocarbon producing organism; and isolating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon. At least one of the actions of providing, exposing, and isolating is performed using a corresponding nanoscale control.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and compositions are described that provide for amplification of nucleic acid sequences without reliance upon temperature cycling, thus freeing the methods from conventional benchtop thermal cycling devices. Denaturation of double stranded nucleic acids, primer annealing, and precision control over primer extension by polymerase can be accomplished by applying stress to a nucleic acid. These methods can provide one or more benefits over conventional PCR methods including: precision control over the PCR process; generally improved fidelity; improved accuracy over problematic sequences such as GC-rich or tandem repeat regions; greater sequence length; increased reaction yield; reduced experimental time; greater efficiency; lower cost; greater portability; and, robustness to various environmental parameters, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strengths.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and materials for producing biofuels under nanoscale control (“nanobiofuels”) are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides method for producing a biofuel, including providing a hydrocarbon producing organism; exposing the biological hydrocarbon producing organism to conditions effective to cause substantial release of the hydrocarbon from the biological hydrocarbon producing organism; and isolating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon. At least one of the actions of providing, exposing, and isolating is performed using a corresponding nanoscale control.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and compositions are described that provide for amplification of nucleic acid sequences without reliance upon temperature cycling, thus freeing the methods from conventional benchtop thermal cycling devices. Denaturation of double stranded nucleic acids, primer annealing, and precision control over primer extension by polymerase can be accomplished by applying stress to a nucleic acid. These methods can provide one or more benefits over conventional PCR methods including: precision control over the PCR process; generally improved fidelity; improved accuracy over problematic sequences such as GC-rich or tandem repeat regions; greater sequence length; increased reaction yield; reduced experimental time; greater efficiency; lower cost; greater portability; and, robustness to various environmental parameters, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strengths.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and compositions are described that provide for amplification of nucleic acid sequences without reliance upon temperature cycling, thus freeing the methods from conventional benchtop thermal cycling devices. Denaturation of double stranded nucleic acids, primer annealing, and precision control over primer extension by polymerase can be accomplished by applying stress to a nucleic acid. These methods can provide one ore more benefits over conventional PCR methods including: precision control over the PCR process; generally improved fidelity; improved accuracy over problematic sequences such as GC-rich or tandem repeat regions; greater sequence length; increased reaction yield; reduced experimental time; greater efficiency; lower cost; greater portability; and, robustness to various environmental parameters, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strengths.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and apparatuses for single molecule drug screening, discovery and validation. These methods and apparatuses allow a user to detect rapidly, using observation of single molecules, whether and how a drug candidate interferes with a target enzyme involved in a particular disease pathway. The methods and apparatuses described herein utilize single molecule manipulation and detection technologies (e.g., optical or magnetic tweezers) to directly detect whether the characteristic dynamics, or “mechanical signature,” of the target enzyme-substrate interaction are substantially altered or modulated by a drug candidate. Furthermore, the methods and apparatuses are useful for analyzing the modulation of the mechanical signature in order to identify potential interference mechanisms of a drug candidate.