Abstract: Photoplethysmogram system and method are designed for monitoring a user's physiological signals. The system includes a PPG device with a light source, a PPG sensor, and at least one verification sensor. The PPG sensor collects light reflected from a user's fingertip after being emitted by the light source, while the verification sensor determines the position of the fingertip and measures the contact pressure of the PPG device to the user's fingertip. Additionally, the system includes an analysis module that is electrically connected to the PPG device, which is responsible for analyzing and processing a plurality of collected data from the device. There is also a display module that is electrically connected to the analysis module, providing a feedback on the PPG device's performance. The analysis module dynamically adjusts the intensity and sampling rate of light emitted by the light source based on the measured contact pressure.

Abstract: Presented herein are polymerase enzymes for improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues, in particular nucleotides which are modified at the 3? sugar hydroxyl, as well as methods and kits using the same.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of determining a sequence of nucleotides for a nucleic acid template. The method can include the steps of contacting the nucleic acid template with a conformationally labeled polymerase and at least four different nucleotide species under conditions wherein the conformationally labeled polymerase catalyzes sequential addition of the nucleotide species to form a nucleic acid complement of the nucleic acid template, wherein the sequential addition of each different nucleotide species produces a conformational signal change from the conformationally labeled polymerase and wherein the rate or time duration for the conformational signal change is distinguishable for each different nucleotide species; detecting a series of changes in the signal from the conformationally labeled polymerase under the conditions; and determining the rates or time durations for the changes in the signal, thereby determining the sequence of nucleotides for the nucleic acid template.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a nucleic acid includes providing an initiator having a 3? end having an unprotected hydroxyl group, providing a nucleic acid polymerase having at least a conservative catalytic polymerase domain of a family-B DNA polymerase, providing a nucleotide monomer, and exposing the initiator to the nucleotide monomer in the presence of the nucleic acid polymerase and a metal cofactor which is a bivalent cation, and in the absence of a template, such that the nucleotide monomer is incorporated to the initiator. The kit includes the initiator, the nucleic acid polymerase, and the nucleotide monomer, and is used according to the method.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of determining a sequence of nucleotides for a nucleic acid template. The method can include the steps of contacting the nucleic acid template with a conformationally labeled polymerase and at least four different nucleotide species under conditions wherein the conformationally labeled polymerase catalyzes sequential addition of the nucleotide species to form a nucleic acid complement of the nucleic acid template, wherein the sequential addition of each different nucleotide species produces a conformational signal change from the conformationally labeled polymerase and wherein the rate or time duration for the conformational signal change is distinguishable for each different nucleotide species; detecting a series of changes in the signal from the conformationally labeled polymerase under the conditions; and determining the rates or time durations for the changes in the signal, thereby determining the sequence of nucleotides for the nucleic acid template.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to nucleic acid polymerase variants and kits including the same, where the nucleic acid polymerase variant has an improved function and activity of performing template-independent nucleic acids synthesis using ribonucleotides (rNTPs) in a thermotolerant manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a specific B-family DNA polymerase variants that exhibit an improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues for synthesizing polynucleotides and sequencing the associated nucleic acid template. More particularly, the DNA sequencing-by-synthesis method can be efficiently performed by said B-family DNA polymerase variants with a normal nucleic acid template and reversible dye-terminator nucleotides to precisely determine the sequence of associated nucleic acid template.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to DNA polymerase variants and kits including the same, where the DNA polymerase variant has an improved function and activity of performing template-independent nucleic acids synthesis using canonical nucleotides and non-canonical nucleotide analogues in a thermotolerant manner.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a nucleic acid includes providing an initiator having a 3? end having an unprotected hydroxyl group, providing a nucleic acid polymerase having at least a conservative catalytic polymerase domain of a family-B DNA polymerase, providing a nucleotide monomer, and exposing the initiator to the nucleotide monomer in the presence of the nucleic acid polymerase and a metal cofactor which is a bivalent cation, and in the absence of a template, such that the nucleotide monomer is incorporated to the initiator. The kit includes the initiator, the nucleic acid polymerase, and the nucleotide monomer, and is used according to the method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified polymerase compositions exhibiting altered polymerase activity, which can be useful in a variety of biological applications. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such compositions. In some embodiments, the compositions exhibit altered properties that can enhance their utility in a variety of biological applications. Such altered properties, can include, for example, altered nucleotide binding affinities, altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics, altered photostability and/or altered nanoparticle tolerance, as well as a range of other properties as disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing nucleic acid sequences using an enzyme, including a reactor, a plurality of nucleotide material bottles, a deblocking material bottle, and a liquid delivering device. The reactor includes a reaction substrate having a pretreated surface. Each of the nucleotide material bottles is adapted to contain a first reaction solution, and the first reaction solution includes a reaction enzyme and a nucleotide having a terminal protecting group. The deblocking material bottle is adapted to contain a deblocking solution. The liquid delivering device is connected to the reactor, the nucleotide material bottles and the deblocking material bottle. The reaction enzyme is adapted to dispose the nucleotide having the terminal protecting group on the pretreated surface. The reactor has an operating temperature of 45° C.-105° C. A method for preparing nucleic acid sequences using an enzyme of the invention is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring sleep using a sleep monitoring system includes a first component and a second component. The first component is configured to be coupled to a chest of the subject and the second component is configured to be concurrently coupled to an abdomen of the subject. Each component includes a housing, a pair of electrode pads mounted on an underside of the respective housing, and an ECG sensor circuit communicatively coupled to the respective pair of electrode pads. The first component further includes a photoplethysmogram sensor that includes at least one light source and at least one photodetector mounted on the underside of the housing of the first component at a location between the first pair of electrode pads.

Abstract: A method for preparing nucleic acid sequences using an enzyme, including: (1) providing a reaction substrate having a pretreated surface. (2) Disposing a nucleotide having a terminal protecting group on the pretreated surface by a reaction enzyme, and a reaction temperature is 45° C.-105° C. (3) Removing the terminal protecting group of the nucleotide by irradiation or heating. (4) Coupling another nucleotide having the terminal protecting group to the nucleotide by the reaction enzyme, and a reaction temperature is 45° C.-105° C. (5) Determining whether nucleic acid sequence is completed, and if so, obtaining the nucleic acid sequence, if otherwise repeating steps (3) and (4). The method for preparing nucleic acid sequences using an enzyme of the invention may increase the efficiency of preparing nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified polymerase compositions exhibiting altered polymerase activity, which can be useful in a variety of biological applications. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such compositions. In some embodiments, the compositions exhibit altered properties that can enhance their utility in a variety of biological applications. Such altered properties, can include, for example, altered nucleotide binding affinities, altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics, altered photostability and/or altered nanoparticle tolerance, as well as a range of other properties as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid synthesis and regeneration of a reusable synthesis initiator includes incorporating a linking nucleotide to an immobilized initiator using a polymerase, synthesizing a nucleic acid right after the linking nucleotide using the polymerase, subjecting a substrate base of the linking nucleotide in the nucleic acid to base-excision by a DNA glycosylase to generate an abasic site, subjecting the abasic site to cleavage by an endonuclease to release the nucleic acid from the initiator, and converting the 3? terminus of the initiator back to its original form by a 3? phosphatase activity-possessing enzyme. A kit based on the aforesaid method and a method for regenerating a reusable initiator are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerase enzyme with improved ability to incorporate reversibly terminating nucleotides. The enzyme comprising the following mutations in the motif A region (SGS). It relates to a polymerase enzyme according to SEQ ID NO. 1 with mutations in the amino acid sequence positions 409, 410 and 411.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerase enzyme from Pyrococcus furiosus with improved ability to incorporate reversibly terminating nucleotides. The enzyme comprising the following mutations in the motif A region (SGS). It relates to a polymerase enzyme according to SEQ ID NO. 1 or any polymerase that shares at least 70% amino acid sequence identity thereto, comprising a mutation selected from the group of (i) at position 409 of SEQ ID NO. 3: serine (S) (L409S) and/or, (ii) at position 410 of SEQ ID NO. 3: glycine (G) (Y410G) and/or (iii) at position 411 of SEQ ID NO. 3: serine (S) (P411S), wherein the enzyme has little or no 3?-5? exonuclease activity.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing nucleotide sequences for different nucleic acid molecules including the steps of (a) mixing a plurality of different nucleic acid molecules with polymerase molecules and nucleotide molecules, wherein the different nucleic acid molecules are attached to a surface in the form of an array of nucleic acid features; (b) determining a transient state of the polymerase molecules at the nucleic acid features; and (c) identifying a subset of nucleic acid features that correctly incorporate the nucleotide molecules based on the transient state of the polymerase molecules at the nucleic acid features, thereby distinguishing the nucleotide sequences for the different nucleic acid molecules.