Abstract: Multiplexed affinity purification and thermal dissociation prior to biochip hybridization simplifies uncharacterized sample admixtures, thereby minimizing or eliminating sample interferents, improving hybridization specificity on a microarray detector, and minimizing or eliminating the need for post-hybridization thermal dissociation analysis. An integrated thermo-affinity sample preparation sub-circuit for sample purification and enrichment is described that is consistent with a field-portable form factor and analytical processes. Thermo-affinity sample preparation on model admixtures of varying complexity was efficacious.

Abstract: Apparatus implements non-destructive quality control of substrates and printed biological microarrays. A method and apparatus are provided for implementing quality control of gel-based microarrays prepared by dispensing a gel-forming composition on a solid substrate. The method utilizes the difference between the wettability properties of a supporting substrate and a gel, where the gel is hydrophilic. Condensation of vapor of a chemically inert water-soluble liquid, such as water or glycerol, on the surface of a substrate under inspection creates a layer of tiny droplets that affect both transmission and scattering of light on the surface. A pattern of condensation, characterized by spatial distribution, average size of the droplets and spacing between the droplets, reflects variation in wetting properties of the substrate. The pattern of condensation circumscribes printed microarray features to be non-destructively imaged and analyzed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions described here minimize loss due to evaporation during the process of preparing gel-element microarrays; maintain uniform gel density; minimize irregular spontaneous polymerization; and provide conditions to obtain reproducible and consistent gel-array elements. The materials and methods described herein present techniques for restoring the original composition of the droplets dispensed on the microarray substrates prior to and during the step of ultraviolet light polymerization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing non-destructive quality control of substrates and printed biological microarrays. A method and apparatus are provided for implementing quality control of gel-based microarrays prepared by dispensing a gel-forming composition on a solid substrate. The method utilizes the difference between the wettability properties of a supporting substrate and a gel, where the gel is hydrophilic. Condensation of vapor of a chemically inert water-soluble liquid, such as water or glycerol, on the surface of a substrate under inspection creates a layer of tiny droplets that affect both transmission and scattering of light on the surface. A pattern of condensation, characterized by spatial distribution, average size of the droplets and spacing between the droplets, reflects variation in wetting properties of the substrate. The pattern of condensation circumscribes printed microarray features to be non-destructively imaged and analyzed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing non-destructive quality control of substrates and printed biological microarrays. A method and apparatus are provided for implementing quality control of gel-based microarrays prepared by dispensing a gel-forming composition on a solid substrate. The method utilizes the difference between the wettability properties of a supporting substrate and a gel, where the gel is hydrophilic. Condensation of vapor of a chemically inert water-soluble liquid, such as water or glycerol, on the surface of a substrate under inspection creates a layer of tiny droplets that affect both transmission and scattering of light on the surface. A pattern of condensation, characterized by spatial distribution, average size of the droplets and spacing between the droplets, reflects variation in wetting properties of the substrate. The pattern of condensation circumscribes printed microarray features to be non-destructively imaged and analyzed.

Abstract: A renewable chromatography structure and methods of the invention for manipulating and trapping small particles within microfluidic systems enable providing surface-functionalized particles that are smaller than the fluidic tolerances of the microfluidic column. Particles of varied chemistry are then utilized for physical or mechanical packing, filtration, separations, modifying fluidic or flow properties of the renewable chromatography column.

Abstract: Methods and compositions provide biological microarrays with enhanced fluorescent and luminescent signals by providing refraction index variations within a porous composition used to prepare the microarrays.

Abstract: Multiplexed affinity purification and thermal dissociation prior to biochip hybridization simplifies uncharacterized sample admixtures, thereby minimizing or eliminating sample interferents, improving hybridization specificity on a microarray detector, and minimizing or eliminating the need for post-hybridization thermal dissociation analysis. An integrated thermo-affinity sample preparation sub-circuit for sample purification and enrichment is described that is consistent with a field-portable form factor and analytical processes. Thermo-affinity sample preparation on model admixtures of varying complexity was efficacious.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber. A mixture of a fluid and a matrix material are introduced through a column chamber inlet so that the matrix material is packed within a column chamber to form a packed column. The column chamber having the column chamber inlet or first port for receiving the mixture further has an outlet port and an actuator port. The outlet port is partially closed for capturing the matrix material and permitting the fluid to flow therepast by rotating relative one to the other of a rod placed in the actuator port. Further rotation relative one to the other of the rod and the column chamber opens the outlet and permits the matrix material and the fluid to flow therethrough thereby unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising: a) packing a matrix material within a column chamber to form a packed column; and b) after the packing, unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber without moving the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising: a) packing a matrix material within a column chamber to form a packed column; and b) after the packing, unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber without moving the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising: a) packing a matrix material within a column chamber to form a packed column; and b) after the packing, unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber without moving the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising: a) packing a matrix material within a column chamber to form a packed column; and b) after the packing, unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber without moving the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a system for column-based separations, comprising: a) a fluid passageway, the fluid passageway comprising a column chamber and a flow path in fluid communication with the column chamber, the flow path being obstructed by a retaining material permeable to a carrier fluid and impermeable to a column matrix material suspended in the carrier fluid, the flow path extending through the column chamber and through the retaining material, the flow path being configured to form a packed column within the column chamber when a suspension of the fluid and the column matrix material is flowed along the flow path; and b) the fluid passageway extending through a valve intermediate the column chamber and the retaining material.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: The invention encompasses systems for column-based separations, methods of packing and unpacking columns and methods of separating components of samples. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising: a) packing a matrix material within a column chamber to form a packed column; and b) after the packing, unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber without moving the column chamber.