Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate configured to bind the analyte and a detection system to determine the presence or absence of the analyte in the biological sample.

Abstract: A method for protein identification in complex mixtures that utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.

Abstract: A method for protein identification in complex mixtures that utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate configured to bind the analyte and a detection system to determine the presence or absence of the analyte in the biological sample.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate having a surface lying substantially in a first plane, a plurality of targets, each having a wall lying substantially in a second plane offset from the first plane, and a receptor coating applied to one of the surface and the target walls for binding analytes present in the biological sample when the biological sample is applied to the substrate. A laser beam is sequentially directed onto each of the plurality of target, the laser being positioned relative to the substrate such that when the beam is directed onto a target, a first half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the wall of the target and a second half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the surface of the substrate adjacent the target.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling or eliminating isotope effects during fractionation of chemically equivalent but isotopically distinct compounds. Isotope coding agents contain heavy isotopes other than deuterium. The invention facilitates intelligent data acquisiton. After sample fractionation, isotope abundance ratios are calculated using mass spectrometry, and analytes of interest are identified in real time.

Abstract: The methods of the invention exploit the mass-to-charge ratio dependent motion of ions in an electrodynamic ion traps in synergy with a charge quenching process. In an electrodynamic ion trap, each mass-to-charge ratio is characterized by a unique set of frequencies of motion. Accordingly, by tailoring the time-varying electrical potential of the ion trap the invention controls which ions are allowed or retained in the ion trap and which ions are subjected to charge quenching reactions. Control of ion retention and charge quenching is used to improve sample throughput, dynamic mass range and signal discrimination in the mass spectrometry of multiply charged ions.

Abstract: Disclosed are chromatography methods and matrix geometries which permit high resolution, high productivity separation of mixtures of solutes, particularly biological materials. The method involves passing fluids through specially designed chromatography matrices at high flow rates. The matrices define first and second interconnected sets of pores and a high surface area for solute interaction in fluid communication with the members of the second set of pores. The first and second sets of pores are embodied, for example, as the interstices among particles and throughpores within the particles. The pores are dimensioned such that, at achievable high fluid flow rates, convective flow occurs in both pore sets, and the convective flow rate exceeds the rate of solute diffusion in the second pore set. This approach couples convective and diffusive mass transport to and from the active surface and permits increases in fluid velocity without the normally expected bandspreading.

Abstract: A separation column for use in a separation process such as chromatography, electrochromatography and electrophoresis is described. The separation column includes multiple collocated monolith support structures and interconnected channels defined by the support structures. The monolith support structures and interconnected channels are created on a substrate using an isotropic etching. The separation column also includes a cover plate disposed on the etched surface of the substrate, creating an enclosed separation column.

Abstract: A method for protein identification in complex mixtures that utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.

Abstract: A method for protein identification in complex mixtures that utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate having a surface lying substantially in a first plane, a plurality of targets, each having a wall lying substantially in a second plane offset from the first plane, and a receptor coating applied to one of the surface and the target walls for binding analytes present in the biological sample when the biological sample is applied to the substrate. A laser beam is sequentially directed onto each of the plurality of target, the laser being positioned relative to the substrate such that when the beam is directed onto a target, a first half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the wall of the target and a second half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the surface of the substrate adjacent the target.

Abstract: The methods of the invention exploit the mass-to-charge ratio dependent motion of ions in an electrodynamic ion traps in synergy with a charge quenching process. In an electrodynamic ion trap, each mass-to-charge ratio is characterized by a unique set of frequencies of motion. Accordingly, by tailoring the time-varying electrical potential of the ion trap the invention controls which ions are allowed or retained in the ion trap and which ions are subjected to charge quenching reactions. Control of ion retention and charge quenching is used to improve sample throughput, dynamic mass range and signal discrimination in the mass spectrometry of multiply charged ions.

Abstract: A sample holder comprises a substrate microfabricated to define a multiplicity of microscopic islands defining sample support surfaces. At least one sump separates adjacent island surfaces and inhibits transport of samples between adjacent island surfaces.

Abstract: A method for protein identification in complex mixtures that utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.

Abstract: A separation column for use in a separation process such as chromatography, electrochromatography and electrophoresis is described. The separation column includes multiple collocated monolith support structures and interconnected channels defined by the support structures. The monolith support structures and interconnected channels are created on a substrate using an isotropic etching. The separation column also includes a cover plate disposed on the etched surface of the substrate, creating an enclosed separation column.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing highly sensitive enzyme-amplified assays using channel electrophoresis of an enzyme having a biorecognition moiety. Combining a binding reaction of an analyte and an enzyme having a biorecognition moiety, and an electrophoretic separation which uses enzyme-amplified detection methodology, assay methods and apparatus are provided that offer simplicity, quantitative sensitivity and rapid analysis. Also disclosed are highly sensitive catalytically-amplified assays using a capillary electrophoresis format in which the binding reaction prior to electrophoresis is heterogeneous or homogeneous, and direct or competitive. The methods and apparatus for conducting sensitive automated catalytically-amplified assays using electrophoresis may be conducted in a microscale format.

Abstract: Disclosed are chromatography methods and matrix geometries which permit high resolution, high productivity separation of mixtures of solutes, particularly biological materials. The method involves passing fluids through specially designed chromatography matrices at high flow rates. The matrices define first and second interconnected sets of pores and a high surface area for solute interaction in fluid communication with the members of the second set of pores. The first and second sets of pores are embodied, for example, as the interstices among particles and throughpores within the particles. The pores are dimensioned such that, at achievable high fluid flow rates, convective flow occurs in both pore sets, and the convective flow rate exceeds the rate of solute diffusion in the second pore set. This approach couples convective and diffusive mass transport to and from the active surface and permits increases in fluid velocity without the normally expected bandspreading.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of electrochemical analysis of an analyte in a sample. The methods include providing a sample comprising an analyte, and introducing the sample into a capillary tube containing electrophoretic running buffer and a reactant. According to the methods of the invention, one or both of the analyte and the reactant is electrically charged. Chemical contact between analyte and reactant induced by their relative electrophoretic mobility results in the breaking or formation of a covalent bond of one of the analyte or the reactant to produce a detectable product. The methods also include the steps of imposing along the length of the capillary tube an electric current for a time sufficient to bring into chemical contact within the tube analyte and reactant so as to allow formation of product, and detecting the product.

Abstract: Disclosed are specifically designed binding, "protein imaged" sorbents which reversibly bind with high specificity and affinity a preselected macromolecule, specifically a protein. The sorbents define one or more cavities which have a binding surface complementary in shape to the molecular surface of the macromolecule and a plurality of positively and negatively charged chemical moieties spatially distributed in a mirror image and charge inverse of a subset of the ionizable groups on the molecular surface of the macromolecule. Also disclosed are methods of producing such sorbents, useful over a range of conditions, for both preparative and analytical chromatographic separations or for use in various types of analyses.