Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the application of a particle array in bioassay format to perform qualitative and/or quantitative molecular interaction analysis between two classes of molecules (an analyte and a binding agent). The methods and apparatus disclosed herein permit the determination of the presence or absence of association, the strength of association, and/or the rate of association and dissociation governing the binding interactions between the binding agents and the analyte molecules. The present invention is especially useful for performing multiplexed (parallel) assays for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of binding interactions of a number of analyte molecules in a sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided the autocentering, autofocusing, acquiring, decoding, aligning, analyzing and exchanging among various parties, images, where the images are of arrays of signals associated with ligand-receptor interactions, and more particularly, ligand-receptor interactions where a multitude of receptors are associated with microparticles or microbeads. The beads are encoded to indicate the identity of the receptor attached, and therefore, an assay image and a decoding image are aligned to effect the decoding. The images or data extracted from such images can be exchanged between de-centralized assay locations and a centralized location where the data are analyzed to indicate assay results. Access to data can be restricted to authorized parties in possession of certain coding information, so as to preserve confidentiality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided the autocentering, autofocusing, acquiring, decoding, aligning, analyzing and exchanging among various parties, images, where the images are of arrays of signals associated with ligand-receptor interactions, and more particularly, ligand-receptor interactions where a multitude of receptors are associated with microparticles or microbeads. The beads are encoded to indicate the identity of the receptor attached, and therefore, an assay image and a decoding image are aligned to effect the decoding. The images or data extracted from such images can be exchanged between de-centralized assay locations and a centralized location where the data are analyzed to indicate assay results. Access to data can be restricted to authorized parties in possession of certain coding information, so as to preserve confidentiality.

Abstract: Disclosed is number coding of pairs (“doublets”) or small sets (“multiplets”) of solid phase carriers provides distinguishable subtypes of a given type of such carriers, where each carrier type is distinguishable on the basis of a C-code. Such number coding is useful for augmenting a coding system, such as a color code, and thereby effectively multiplying the number of “colors” (distinguishable sub-types). It can be applied, for example, in multiplexed nucleic acid or protein analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the generation of novel libraries of encoded magnetic particles from sub-libraries of by the generation of novel sub- libraries of magnetic nanoparticles and encoded particles. The sub-libraries are functionalized on demand are useful in the formation of arrays. The present invention is especially useful for performing multiplexed (parallel) assays for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of binding interactions of a number of analyte molecules in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the generation of novel libraries of encoded magnetic particles from sub-libraries of by the generation of novel sub-libraries of magnetic nanoparticles and encoded particles. The sub-libraries are functionalized on demand are useful in the formation of arrays. The present invention is especially useful for performing multiplexed (parallel) assays for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of binding interactions of a number of analyte molecules in a sample.

Abstract: Controlling humidity at the surface of a solution containing analyte and ligand, e.g., for an assay, is disclosed, wherein the control of the humidity induces evaporative stirring in the solution to bring analyte and ligand into contact more quickly than when using diffusion. An oven which blows air in a controlled stream across slides, with wells containing reagent and analyte, is disclosed. Also disclosed is optical tape which can replace a conventional glass coverslip used for viewing of the reaction results.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided the autocentering, autofocusing, acquiring, decoding, aligning, analyzing and exchanging among various parties, images, where the images are of arrays of signals associated with ligand-receptor interactions, and more particularly, ligand-receptor interactions where a multitude of receptors are associated with microparticles or microbeads. The beads are encoded to indicate the identity of the receptor attached, and therefore, an assay image and a decoding image are aligned to effect the decoding. The images or data extracted from such images can be exchanged between de-centralized assay locations and a centralized location where the data are analyzed to indicate assay results. Access to data can be restricted to authorized parties in possession of certain coding information, so as to preserve confidentiality.

Abstract: A compact spectrum analyzer module suitable as a subsystem in optoelectronic instrumentation is disclosed which analyzer module employs two mirror surfaces to provide a folded optical path to and from a stock concave focusing diffraction grating. The module has mutually perpendicular input and output optical paths whereby input and output slits, or apertures, can be positioned on adjacent, mutually perpendicular faces of a box-like rectangular housing providing more convenience in the location of external system components such as light samplers and detector arrays, in many situations. Mirror orientation is effective to turn the output optical path through ninety degrees from the input path and to generate from polychromatic light a focused output spectrum in a plane parallel with the input path. Both the input path and the focused output spectrum lie, in preferred embodiments, in planes, not necessarily coincident, that are perpendicular to the optical axis of the grating.

Abstract: A light analysis system is disclosed and comprises a source of substantially collimated light to be analyzed. The source comprises a sample excited by a collimated laser light source, and further comprises a holographic notch filter having the characteristic of reflecting light at the excitation wavelenghth at which the source is excited. An aberration corrected concave focusing diffraction grating receives the collimated light and focuses it at a point corresponding to its wavelength. A detector detects light at a desired wavelength focused by the diffraction grating. The holographic notch filter is positioned to filter the source of substantially collimated light to be filtered and the holographic notch filter is oriented substantially at an angle with respect to the collimated laser light source to result in a path length for the collimated laser light source which constrains a path length through the notch filter which causes the collimated laser light to be reflected by the filter away from the grating.