Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for generating microfluidic gradients, including an array of unique microfluidic gradients within an array of microchannels. Fluids within conduits are mixed in an intersection region to generate a mixed flow stream in a source reservoir channel that provides a gradient that varies with axial distance from the intersection region. Microchannels having an inlet connected to the source reservoir channel are configured to provide a microfluidic gradient in the microchannel. An outlet end of the microchannel is connected to a sink reservoir channel. By varying the ratio of fluid flow rates from the fluid conduits, the microchannel gradients are tuned. In this manner, a large number of unique gradients or array of microfluidic gradients is provided, wherein the gradient can be any number of physical or chemical parameters, including concentrations and physical fluid properties.

Abstract: Instruments, devices and methods of analysis are provided which fully integrate a significant number of process steps in a continuous operation. Accurate positioning and full contact between components is also provided by the relative movement the designs allow. An effect interface between a low cost disposable cartridge or device and the instrument to process it is also detailed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for collecting samples using hybrid porous materials that include an organic material and an inorganic material. A method for sample collection includes contacting a hybrid porous material and a biological sample to the porous material. The hybrid porous material includes an inorganic material and an organic material. The method includes placing the porous material with the attached sample in a liquid medium, wherein the sample is separated from the porous material in the liquid medium to form a separated sample, and collecting the separated sample in the medium.

Abstract: Instruments, devices and methods of analysis are provided which fully integrate a significant number of process steps in a continuous operation. Accurate positioning and full contact between components is also provided by the relative movement the designs allow. An effect interface between a low cost disposable cartridge or device and the instrument to process it is also detailed.

Abstract: A method and system for analysing a sample are provided, wherein one or more process steps and/or sample processors are provided separately from the instrument, for instance a sample receiving step and sample preparation step and sample extraction step and sample retention step and/or purification step and washing step and elution step, and one or more process steps and/or sample processors provided by the instrument as an integrated set, the one or more process steps and/or sample processors provided by the instrument including a sample receiving step and amplification step and denaturing step and investigation step and detection step and results analysis step and results output step. Other combinations of the split in location of the steps are possible. The optimisation of the split allows the accurate processing by a cartridge based instrument of the sample, whilst fully interfacing with a variety of sample collection and/or preparation approaches.

Abstract: A secure and integrated matching of a consumer product box of dissimilar shapes and characteristics to a receiving holder from a moving environmental surroundings, can include a connector configured to selectively connect and position at least one wall from said the box to link with the receiving holder. In a preferred embodiment, the present method and apparatus is suitable for holding a tissue box of any shape in a cup holder of any shape in a vehicle, for example a car.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample includes providing a first part of the sample and a second part of the sample. A first analysis is conducted on the first part of the sample and the results of the first analysis are considered. A second analysis is conducted on the second part of the sample, the second analysis being conducted according to a procedure using a value for each of one or more characteristics of the procedure. The consideration of the results of the first analysis is used to determine whether the value for one or more of the characteristics of the procedure is changed to a different value. The second analysis is started before the results of the first analysis are obtained.

Abstract: A method of analysis, instrument for analysis and device for use in such an instrument are provided, which perform a number of processes need to reach a useful result in the context of a wide variety of samples. The sequence of those processes being optimised. A device, instrument using the device and method of use are also provided which offer reliable performance of a heating based process, with minimal condensation and/or sample loss issues.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying a composition of a target fluid using a set of vectors representing known residue patterns for a two or more fluids including said target fluid is provided. An exemplary method includes storing one or more digital measurements of residue for the target fluid, extracting one or more descriptive features from the measurements; and processing descriptive features to identify the composition of the target fluid. The processing includes using a machine learning algorithm trained with data linking residue morphology to fluid composition. A distance between a vector representing said one or more descriptive features and said set of vectors representing known residue patterns is determined, and a residue is assigned to one or more of the known residue patterns.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for analysis of a biological sample includes receiving the sample, wherein the sample includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lysing the sample to obtain access to the DNA included in the sample, purifying the DNA in the sample to isolate the DNA from other components in the sample, amplifying the DNA, separating fragments of the amplified DNA, detecting the separated fragments using laser induced fluorescence, based on the detecting, generating a profile of the DNA in the received sample, comparing the generated profile with profiles of DNA stored in a database, and upon determining that the generated profile matches one of the stored profiles, identifying the source from which the stored profile was obtained, wherein the receiving, lysing, purifying, amplifying, and detecting are performed on corresponding portions of a microfluidic device, and wherein transporting the sample and the DNA to the portions of the microfluidic device and enabling the lysing, purifying, amplifying,

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for collecting samples using hybrid porous materials that include an organic material and an inorganic material. A method for sample collection includes contacting a hybrid porous material and a biological sample to the porous material. The hybrid porous material includes an inorganic material and an organic material. The method includes placing the porous material with the attached sample in a liquid medium, wherein the sample is separated from the porous material in the liquid medium to form a separated sample, and collecting the separated sample in the medium.

Abstract: An automated and integrated matching of a biological specimen to an individual, can include a collector having substrate materials and configured to selectively collect and release at least one bio-molecular species from a biological specimen; a self-contained mobile automated testing instrument configured to receive the biological specimen and further configured to generate, store and output a molecular profile of the at least one predetermined bio-molecular species; a processor based system communicatively coupled to the self-contained mobile automated testing instrument and configured to receive the molecular profile; and wherein the processor based system is configured to provide a quantitative comparative analysis and report of the molecular profile with a selected molecular profile.

Abstract: A method and system to predict a design of an article of manufacture, which can include the steps of introducing a biological organism into a test environment to activate at least one molecular component of the biological organism representing at least one set of genetic characters of the biological organism; monitoring for change in at least one expression phenomenon pattern in response to the test environment; translating the monitored change in the at least one expression phenomenon pattern into a molecular data profile; interrogating the molecular data profile against a stored database to generate an information pattern of a phenotype correlated to the molecular data profile; and translating the information pattern of the phenotype into a correlated design component of the article of manufacture.

Abstract: Instruments, devices and methods of analysis are provided which fully integrate a significant number of process steps in a continuous operation. Accurate positioning and full contact between components is also provided by the relative movement the designs allow. An effect interface between a low cost disposable cartridge or device and the instrument to process it is also detailed.

Abstract: A method and device structure are provided which enable an archive sample to be collected and detached relative to a device within which a series of processes, such as PCR are being provided. A chamber structure and method of use are provided in which a controlled and precise volume is obtained by control of the relative resistance to flow through various channels.

Abstract: A method of verifying the performance of a size standard, formed of a plurality of size standard elements, used in a nucleic acid analysis method is provided. The verification is achieved by introducing the size standard to an analysis stage and performing a size based separation on the size standard. The size based separation defines an experimental position for each size standard element. A comparison is made as to whether or not the experimental position for the size standard element corresponds with expected position. The comparison allows a decision to be made on whether or not to use the size standard, which is dependent upon whether or not the experimental position of the size standard element corresponds with the expected position.

Abstract: A method of analysis, instrument for analysis and device for use in such an instrument are provided, which perform a number of processes need to reach a useful result in the context of a wide variety of samples. The sequence of those processes being optimised. A device, instrument using the device and method of use are also provided which offer reliable performance of a heating based process, with minimal condensation and/or sample loss issues.

Abstract: Analysis methods and apparatus are provided for inspecting a channel, such as a capillary electrophoresis channel, in a device. Configuration and alignment systems are provided, together with optical systems and temperature control.

Abstract: Exposure to ionizing radiation can produce a well-defined dose dependent signature in terms of changes in gene expression. In approaches and devices described herein, such a signature can be used to generate and use a self-contained radiation biodosimeter device, based on, for example, a blood finger stick. Various aspects of the invention are directed to biodosimetry with a fully integrated biochip using gene expression signatures.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample includes providing a first part of the sample and a second part of the sample. A first analysis is conducted on the first part of the sample and the results of the first analysis are considered. A second analysis is conducted on the second part of the sample, the second analysis being conducted according to a procedure using a value for each of one or more characteristics of the procedure. The consideration of the results of the first analysis is used to determine whether the value for one or more of the characteristics of the procedure is changed to a different value. The second analysis is started before the results of the first analysis are obtained.