Abstract: An intra-oral scanning device includes a light source and an optical system, and communicates with a display system. The device provides for more efficient transmission and capture of images. It integrates OCT scanning with RGB-based scanning. In operation, the device is used for recording topological characteristics of teeth, dental impressions, or stone models by digital methods and for use in CAD/CAM of dental restorative prosthetic devices. To that end, the RGB-based scan obtains surface data (e.g., a margin), while the OCT scan penetrates the surface. The two scanners operate from within the same physical housing and preferably at the same time such that only one scanning pass (to obtain all necessary data) is required. The 3D data obtained from the OCT scan is registered with the 3D data obtained from the RGB-based scan by virtue of being captured using a common return path.

Abstract: A diode-pumped solid state laser system and a method of diode-pumping a solid state laser in which the emitter beamlets in the diode bar are directed at a beam transformation optical element which includes a continuous twisted surface to produce a uniform and symmetrised beam in the fast field which is then focused to match an input pump area of the gain medium of the solid state laser. Embodiments to square and rectangular flat-top intensity distributions are described using a Fourier lens and a set of cylindrical orthogonal lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aggregate comprising metallic nanoparticles and nucleic acid molecules wherein each metallic nanoparticle is coated with a polycation. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining the aggregate of the invention and to the use of said aggregate in methods for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, in methods for detecting the presence of a given nucleotide at a predetermined position in a target nucleic acid, in methods for detecting the presence of a modified nucleotide at a predetermined position in a target nucleic acid, methods for detecting the presence of a conjugate between a double stranded nucleic acid and a chemical in a sample comprising double stranded nucleic acid molecules, in methods for determining the content of modified nucleotides in a target nucleic acid and in a method for determining the content of modified nucleotides in a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyvalent macromolecules, compositions comprising the macromolecules, and methods of use. The polyvalent macromolecules have a polymer backbone and pendent groups attached to the polymer backbone. Some or all of the pendent groups have optionally a linker, a surface-seeking group capable of binding strongly to a metal surface, and a spectroscopically detectable chromophore detectable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making nanoarrays for use in detecting species formed on the surface of the array using SE(R)RS. The methods can involve nanolithographic printing of a compound by dip pen nanolithographic printing. A SE(R)RS substrate can be used for the array and which can be selected from surfaces roughened by the oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC), island films, colloidal nanoparticles and surface-confined nanostructures. A coating or intermediate layer, such as a layer formed of nitrocellulose, can be provided between the compound and the SE(R)RS substrate. There are also provided arrays themselves and methods of using such arrays.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for use in the detection of a target nucleic acid comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a single-stranded probe nucleic acid with a sample of interest under conditions effective to generate a probe/target nucleic acid duplex by specific hybridisation of said probe nucleic acid to a target nucleic acid, if said target nucleic acid is present; (ii) contacting any probe/target nucleic acid duplex with an exonuclease to effect digestion of the duplex and release of a label molecule from the duplex; and (iii) detecting the label by Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensitive SE(R)RS based methods for detecting analytes such as explosives and drugs, which may be present in a sample at extremely low levels. The methods may be generally carried out in situ employing novel chemistry which is compatible with flow-cell technology and with time-scales and concentrations required for rapid and informative screening of large numbers of samples. The present invention also relates to novel compounds e.g. synthons and apparatus for use with the methods disclosed.

Abstract: Nanopatterned surfaces which provide for improved cell growth including improved stem cell differentiation. The patterned surfaces can comprise an array of fields of biologically active moieties and can be controlled by parameters which include the pitch between the fields and the size of the fields. Nanopatterning can be carried out with use of dip pen nanolithographic printing, microcontact printing, and nanoimprint lithography.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to polyvalent macromolecules comprising: (a) a polymer backbone and (b) pendent groups attached to said polymer backbone, wherein some or all of said pendent groups comprise: (i) optionally a linker, (ii) a surface-seeking group, which is capable of binding strongly to a metal surface, (iii) optionally a chromophore, which is detectable by at least one spectroscopic method. Such molecules can modify metal surfaces and have a variety of uses including (without limitation) appending chromophores to metal surfaces without the need to establish complex chemistry; for the stabilisation and labelling of metal nanoparticles; and for preparing and aggregating nanoparticles in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making nanoarrays for use in detecting species formed on the surface of the array using SE(R)RS. The methods can involve nanolithographic printing of a compound by dip pen nanolithographic printing. A SE(R)RS substrate can be used for the array and which can be selected from surfaces roughened by the oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC), island films, colloidal nanoparticles and surface-confined nanostructures. A coating or intermediate layer, such as a layer formed of nitrocellulose, can be provided between the compound and the SE(R)RS substrate. There are also provided arrays themselves and methods of using such arrays.

Abstract: The invention provides modified molecular beacons detectable by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and related materials, processes, and methods of use. Examples methods provide for the determination of the presence or absence of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample nucleic acid by (a) providing a detection agent, which agent comprises: (i) a probe comprising a target complement sequence (TCS) being complementary to the target sequence and flanking the TCS, first and second oligonucleotide arms, said first and second oligonucleotide arms forming a stem duplex, and said first arm incorporating a first label moiety being detectable by SERS (e.g. a fluoroscein dye) and said second arm terminating in a second label moiety being detectable by SERS, which second arm further includes a surface seeking group (SSG—e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid (e.g. DNA) sequence in a sample nucleic acid, the method comprising: (a) exposing the sample to a detection agent comprising a colloid metal surface associated with a SER(R)S active species (SAS) such as an azo dye and with a target binding species (TBS) which may be PNA which is complementary to the target, and (b) observing the sample agent mixture using SER(R)S to detect any surface enhancement of the label wherein the binding of the TBS to the target sequence causes surface enhancement SAS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of SERRS active polymer beads and a method of their production for use in detecting targect molecules, as well as methods of detecting target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic method of generating in situ a colloid for use in detecting an an using for example SER(R)S, as well as a method of detecting an analyte using SER(R)S in a microfluidic system. The invention also relates to microfluidic devices for use in detecting analytes such as by way of SER(R)S signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensitive SE(R)RS based methods for detecting analytes such as explosives and drugs, which may be present in a sample at extremely low levels. The methods may be generally carried out in situ employing novel chemistry which is compatible with flow-cell technology and with time-scales and concentrations required for rapid and informative screening of large numbers of samples. The present invention also relates to novel compounds e.g. synthons and apparatus for use with the methods disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of target nucleic acids or nucleic acid units in a sample, by obtaining a SER(R)S spectrum for a SER(R)S-active complex containing, or derived directly from, the target. The complex includes at least a SER(R)S-active label, and optionally a target binding species containing a nucleic acid or nucleic acid unit. In this detection method, the concentration of the target present in the SER(R)S-active complex, or of the nucleic acid or unit contained in the target binding species in the SER(R)S-active complex, is no higher than 10.sup.-10 moles per liter. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the following features may be used with the method: i) the introduction of a polyamine; ii) modification of the target, and/or of the nucleic acid or nucleic acid unit contained in the target binding species, in a manner that promotes or facilitates its chemi-sorption onto a SER(R)S-active surface; iii) inclusion of a chemi-sorptive functional group in the SER(R)S-active label.