Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing cell migration. More specifically, the present invention is directed to novel technology for analyzing cellular movement, including whole cell migration and subcellular component movement. Cells are distributed onto a substrate and monitored for migration or movement. According to one embodiment, when a labelled cell or portion of a cell passes over one of the delineations between detection units, such as individual fibers in a fiber optic bundle, the label causes a large intensity increase, which stays for a given “residence time” until the cell departs from the detection unit.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for combinatorially decoding arrays.

Abstract: Methods are described for detecting reaction components with affect a reaction. Biomolecules such as enzymes can be addressed at the single molecule level in order to discover function, detect binding partners or inhibitors, and/or measure rate constants.

Abstract: Arrays of single molecules and methods of producing an array of single molecules are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single molecule detection and quantitation.

Abstract: Arrays of single cells and methods of producing an array of single cells are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single cell capture, detection and quantitation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cross-reactive sensor system utilizing cross-reactive recognition elements. In the inventive system, each of said one or more cross-reactive recognition elements is capable of interacting with more than one species of liquid analyte of interest, whereby each of said one or more cross-reactive recognition elements reacts in a different manner with each of said one or more species of liquid analytes of interest to produce a detectable agent of each analyte of interest, whereby said detectable agent is analyzed and the information is processed for data acquisition and interpretation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of array imaging that extends or maximizes the longevity of the sensor array by minimizing the effects of photobleaching. The imaging system has a light source, a variable exposure aperture, and a variable filter system. The system extends the longevity of sensors by (1) using the variable exposure aperture to selectively expose sections of the sensor array containing representative numbers of each type of sensor, and/or (2) using the variable filter system to control the intensity of the excitation light, providing only the intensity required to induce the appropriate excitation and increasing that intensity over time as necessary to counteract the effects of photobleaching.

Abstract: An electro-optical system includes an array including a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of electrodes, and an insulator. The optical fibers are configured to transmit light, the optical fibers being mechanically coupled at distal ends in a distal arrangement and mechanically coupled at proximal ends in a proximal arrangement. The plurality of electrodes are substantially coaxially disposed with at least portions of corresponding optical fibers, the electrodes being electrically conductive, with the electrodes and optical fibers being disposed in pairs, thereby being pair components, with one of the pair components of each pair being disposed about a radial periphery of the other pair component. The insulator is disposed between the plurality of electrodes and configured to inhibit transfer of electrical energy between the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for combinatorially decoding arrays.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system is disclosed in which self-encoding microspheres having distinct characteristic optical response signatures to specific target analytes may be mixed together while the ability is retained to identify the sensor type and location of each sensor in a random dispersion of large numbers of such sensors in a sensor array using an optically interrogatable encoding scheme. An optical fiber bundle sensor is also disclosed in which individual microsphere sensors are disposed in microwells at a distal end of the fiber bundle and are optically coupled to discrete fibers or groups of fibers within the bundle. The identities of the individual sensors in the array are self-encoded by exposing the array to a reference analyte while illuminating the array with excitation light energy.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.

Abstract: A micro-sphere-based analytic chemistry system is disclosed in which self-encoding microspheres having distinct characteristic optical response signatures to specific target analytes may be mixed together while the ability is retained to identify the sensor type and location of each sensor in a random dispersion of large numbers of such sensors in a sensor array using an optically interrogatable encoding scheme. An optical fiber bundle sensor is also disclosed in which individual microsphere sensors are disposed in microwells at a distal end of the fiber bundle and are optically coupled to discrete fibers or groups of fibers within the bundle. The identities of the individual sensors in the array are self-encoded by exposing the array to a reference analyte while illuminating the array with excitation light energy.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes an array of optical fibers. The array has a first end and a second end. The first end of the array includes multiple optical fiber ends, each optical fiber end having an end face adapted for receiving light of a wavelength ? into the fiber for conveyance to the second end of the fiber array. The second end of the array includes multiple tapered optical fiber tips, each tapered optical fiber end having a minimum diameter less than ?. An opaque coating covers a portion of the tapered optical fiber tips. The data storage apparatus also includes a photochromic medium located within a distance ? of the second end of the array.