Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether a subject is suffering from celiac disease by contacting a sample of bodily fluid from the subject, with an antigen formed from a hexamer of a gliadin fusion protein immobilized on a solid support. The gliadin fusion protein of the antigen includes a recombinant deamidated gliadin linked to a tag such as Glutathione-S transferase (GST) protein. The antigen is prepared by immobilizing the gliadin fusion protein on the solid support. The antigen can further include tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) cross-linked to the gliadin fusion protein. When tTG is present, the tTG and recombinant deamidated gliadin are mixed together prior to immobilization to the solid phase.

Abstract: A planar sample, particularly of the type used in biological laboratories for detection and sometimes analysis of two-dimensional arrays of proteins, nucleic acids, or other biological species, is illuminated by epi-illumination using optically filtered line lights that are arranged along opposing parallel sides of a rectangle in which the sample array resides, with two coaxial line lights on each side of the rectangle, and the two on any given side being separated by a gap whose optimal width depends on the wavelength band transmitted by the optical filter. Surprisingly, the gap eliminates the peak in intensity at the center of the sample area and the decrease that occurs from the center outward that would otherwise occur with a single continuous filtered line light, producing instead a substantially uniform intensity along the direction parallel to the line lights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a sample. The detection system includes a housing that holds a reagent carousel rotatably coupled thereto. Further included in the housing is an incubator carousel rotatably coupled thereto. The housing also includes magnetic material that is associated with the incubation carousel for assisting in separation beads from reagent and wash solution. A robot, associated with the housing is configured to manipulate at least either the reagent carousel or the incubator carousel and transfer materials therebetween. Reaction vessels hold samples and reaction vessels handlers move the reaction vessels. Sample analysis is determined by at least one laser based detector.

Abstract: A single closed and compartmentalized vessel is designed to contain all assay reagents necessary to conduct an assay of a liquid sample. The vessel is constructed in parts that are rotatable relative to each other, and processing steps of the assay such as combining, mixing, separating, and measuring are all conducted by either rotating the parts relative to each other or rotating the vessel as a whole, all without opening the receptacle or otherwise exposing the user to any of the liquids or substances within the receptacle.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improved generation of novel nucleic acid modifying enzymes. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the ability of the enzyme to bind and catalytically modify the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. The method involves mixing an RNA template with a composition having a reverse transcriptase, a DNA polymerase and a RT inhibition reducer. The RT inhibition reducer can be Sso7d, Sac7d, Sac7e, Sso7e, AluI methylase, suramin, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxycytosine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxyadenine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxythymine or poly(rA)(dT). The mixing forms a mixture that is incubated under conditions sufficient to synthesize a DNA molecule complementary to all or a portion of the RNA template, thereby amplifying the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: An SPR sensor comprising a thin conducting layer comprising at least one conductive element formed on a surface of a transparent substrate, a light source that illuminates an interface between the conducting layer and the substrate, a photosensitive surface that generates signals from light reflected from the interface, a flow cell formed with at least one flow channel having a lumen defined by a wall formed from an elastic material and from a region of the conducting layer, and at least one hollow fluid-providing flow control apparatus having a lumen and an orifice communicating with its lumen. Fluid flow is enabled between the flow channel and the lumen of the flow control apparatus by forcing an end of the flow control apparatus through the elastic material so that the orifice communicates with the flow channel lumen.

Abstract: Improved ovarian cancer assays are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detection of target molecules are provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting and collection analytes fractionated based on pI, separating analytes via electrophoresis and pI, and purifying a target molecule using pI focusing and subsequent crystallization are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions with polymerase activity and methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for purification of different cell components from the same sample are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the setup and visualization of a configurable process, for example a chromatography experiment to be conducted using a configurable chromatography system. A user interface displays category regions representing sections of a process, and displays a plurality of selectable items representing components appropriate for placement in the category regions. A user interface control causes selection of one of the selectable items and placement of the selected item into one of the category regions, to define a selected process configuration. The user interface control may be a scrolling control that causes a set of selectable items appropriate for placement in the respective category region to scroll through the category region. When the computer displaying the user interface is also connected to the system being configured, the user interface may also facilitate setup, monitoring, and control of the resulting process.

Abstract: A sample block for use in the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and other procedures that involve the performance of simultaneous reactions in multiple samples with temperature control by heating or cooling elements contacting the bottom surface of the block is improved by the inclusion of hollows in the block that are positioned to decrease the mass of the block in the immediate vicinity of the wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides chromatography methods for removing a virucidal agent from a target protein such as an antibody. The method uses a hydrophobic, negatively charged mixed mode support that has high affinity for both the target protein and the virucidal agent. The method provides conditions that favor dissociation of the virucidal agent from the protein, allowing the virucidal agent to bind strongly to the support. The target protein is then eluted from the support under conditions such that the virucidal agent remains bound to the support.

Abstract: Proteins are purified by a mixed-mode chromatography system formed by attaching a ligand with cation exchange and hydrophobic functionalities to a large-pore support matrix, the only linkage between the ligand and the support matrix being a chain having a backbone of no more than three atoms between the hydrophobic group and the support matrix.

Abstract: Methods and systems for biochemical data analysis are provided. A dataset can be received and a selection of a compare field can be used for creation of sub-groups of data to run statistical analysis on. The sub-groups of the dataset can be created based on the selection of the compare field. Statistical information about each sub-group of data can be calculated and displayed on a user display. Other information can be provided for further dataset refinements. A user may supply a control group selection, and such a selection may then result in an indication on the display of which population represents the control group. A user may supply information for further dataset filtering. Such information may be used to filter data, prior to creating the sub-groups for statistical analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing data to determine properties of a PCR process or other process exhibiting amplification or growth. Data representing an amplification can be distinguished from data representing a jump or other error. A modified sigmoid function containing a drift term may be used in determining the properties. A multi-stage functional fit of the amplification data can provide increased accuracy and consistency of one or more of the properties. A baseline of the amplification data can be determined by analyzing an integrated area of a first derivative function of the data. A reference quantitation value can also be determined from locations of maxima of different derivative functions of the amplification data, e.g., a weighted average of the maxima locations for the second and third derivatives may be used.