Abstract: A method of analysis for alleles of a target includes forming plural fluid volumes. Each of those volumes includes first and second primer pairs to amplify corresponding first and second alleles of a target. Each of those volumes also includes first and second reporters with corresponding first and second photoluminophores and providing corresponding primers of the corresponding first and second primer pairs. Each of the first and second reporters may include an oligomer that has a quencher and is configured to base-pair with the primer of the corresponding first and second primer pair. The first and second alleles may be amplified using the corresponding first and second primer pairs. The method detects photoluminescence and determines a level of each allele.

Abstract: Digital assay system, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for assay of one or more targets in a set of partitions containing a generic reporter of target amplification.

Abstract: Provided herein are microfluidic devices, and related processes for making and methods of using, wherein the devices include tubes with partitioned hydrophilic and hydrophobic fluids.

Abstract: Method of analysis for alleles of a target. In the method, a plurality of fluid volumes may be formed. Each fluid volume may contain a first primer pair to amplify a first allele of a target, a second primer pair to amplify a second allele of the target, a first reporter including a first photoluminophore and providing a primer of the first primer pair, and a second reporter including a second photoluminophore and providing a primer of the second primer pair. Each of the first and second reporters may include an oligomer having a quencher, and the oligomer may be configured to base-pair with the primer of the first primer pair and the primer of the second primer pair. The first and second alleles may be amplified using the first and second primer pairs. Photoluminescence may be detected. A level of each allele may be determined.

Abstract: Provided herein are microfluidic devices, and related processes for making and methods of using, wherein the devices include tubes with partitioned hydrophilic and hydrophobic fluids.

Abstract: Digital assay system, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for assay of one or more targets in a set of partitions containing a generic reporter of target amplification.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improved nucleic acid amplification assays. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid amplification assay is a tagged amplicon primer extension (TAPE) nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improved nucleic acid amplification assays. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid amplification assay is a tagged amplicon primer extension (TAPE) nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: Digital assay system, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for assay of one or more targets in a set of partitions containing a generic reporter of target amplification.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for characterizing a biological sample (e.g., comprising an infectious agent) from a subject are provided. Methods can include detecting linkage of nucleic acids that are linked in a viable cell or organism but that become degraded and thus unlinked in inviable cells or organisms and then characterizing the subject based on the quantity of linked and unlinked sequences.

Abstract: Digital assay system, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for assay of one or more targets in a set of partitions containing a generic reporter of target amplification.

Abstract: Method of analysis for alleles of a target. In the method, a plurality of fluid volumes may be formed. Each fluid volume may contain a first primer pair to amplify a first allele of a target, a second primer pair to amplify a second allele of the target, a first reporter including a first photoluminophore and providing a primer of the first primer pair, and a second reporter including a second photoluminophore and providing a primer of the second primer pair. Each of the first and second reporters may include an oligomer having a quencher, and the oligomer may be configured to base-pair with the primer of the first primer pair and the primer of the second primer pair. The first and second alleles may be amplified using the first and second primer pairs. Photoluminescence may be detected. A level of each allele may be determined.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting genetic instability using digital amplification assays. The methods may be performed in a set of isolated volumes and generally may involve competitive hybridization of a competitor and a probe/primer with a normal allele and one or more mutant alleles of a microsatellite locus. The competitor may be configured to compete similarly with, or to outcompete, the primer/probe for hybridization with the normal allele. The primer/probe may be configured to outcompete the competitor for hybridization with various mutant alleles of the locus that alter the length of the repetitive sequence by different amounts. Isolated volumes in which the primer/probe outcompetes the competitor may be enumerated, and represent one or more of the mutant alleles. The methods may enable diagnosing microsatellite instability and treating a subject based on the diagnosis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting genetic instability using digital amplification assays. The methods may be performed in a set of isolated volumes and generally may involve competitive hybridization of a competitor and a probe/primer with a normal allele and one or more mutant alleles of a microsatellite locus. The competitor may be configured to compete similarly with, or to outcompete, the primer/probe for hybridization with the normal allele. The primer/probe may be configured to outcompete the competitor for hybridization with various mutant alleles of the locus that alter the length of the repetitive sequence by different amounts. Isolated volumes in which the primer/probe outcompetes the competitor may be enumerated, and represent one or more of the mutant alleles. The methods may enable diagnosing microsatellite instability and treating a subject based on the diagnosis.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for performing amplification assays with an amplification reporter including a first oligomer and a second oligomer capable of base-pairing with one another below a melting temperature of the reporter. The reporter may have a detectable photoluminescence that is affected, such as reduced, by base-pairing of the first and second oligomers with one another. A target, such as a nucleic acid target sequence, may be amplified in at least one volume, such as a plurality of partitions, above the melting temperature, and photoluminescence of the reporter may be detected from the at least one volume below the melting temperature. A property of the target, such as a concentration of the target, may be determined based on the photoluminescence detected.

Abstract: Methods of, and compositions for, analysis using digital amplification assays with unconventional/inverse changes in photoluminescence to indicate the presence of one or more targets. In an exemplary method, isolated volumes may be formed, only a subset of which contain a target. Each volume may include a probe having a label, a sink having a quencher and configured to hybridize with the probe to quench the label, and a separator configured to hybridize with the probe and/or the sink to block hybridization of the sink with the probe. An amplification reaction may be performed in the volumes to generate an amplicon corresponding to the target. The separator may hybridize with the amplicon, and may be extended or degraded by the amplification reaction. Photoluminescence of the label may be detected from the volumes, and the photoluminescence of target-positive volumes may be less than that of target-negative volumes.

Abstract: Methods of detecting or quantifying short RNA or DNA molecules using split cycle amplification are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improved nucleic acid amplification assays. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid amplification assay is a tagged amplicon primer extension (TAPE) nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improved nucleic acid amplification assays. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid amplification assay is a tagged amplicon primer extension (TAPE) nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for performing amplification assays with an amplification reporter including a first oligomer and a second oligomer capable of base-pairing with one another below a melting temperature of the reporter. The reporter may have a detectable photoluminescence that is affected, such as reduced, by base-pairing of the first and second oligomers with one another. A target, such as a nucleic acid target sequence, may be amplified in at least one volume, such as a plurality of partitions, above the melting temperature, and photoluminescence of the reporter may be detected from the at least one volume below the melting temperature. A property of the target, such as a concentration of the target, may be determined based on the photoluminescence detected.