Abstract: A laser-based molecular sequencing system includes a two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL) array including a plurality of PCSEL devices located in a first layer, each PCSEL device oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first layer. The system also includes a controller configured to modulate a bias on at least one PCSEL device of the plurality of PCSEL devices, the modulation configured to selectively operate each PCSEL device as an emitter or detector at a point in time based on the bias.

Abstract: Methods of writing data to a DNA strand by inserting data-encoding oligos or symbols into a DNA backbone. One particular method of synthesizing a DNA strand encoding data includes cleaving a DNA backbone into multiple segments, and pasting a plurality of data-encoding oligo symbols between the multiple segments, with the terminal ends of the segments joining homologous terminal ends of the symbols, resulting in the DNA strand encoding data comprising alternating segments and symbols.

Abstract: Methods of writing data to a DNA strand by inserting data-encoding oligos or symbols into a DNA backbone. One particular method of synthesizing a DNA strand encoding data includes cleaving a DNA backbone into multiple segments, and pasting a plurality of data-encoding oligo symbols between the multiple segments, with the terminal ends of the segments joining homologous terminal ends of the symbols, resulting in the DNA strand encoding data comprising alternating segments and symbols.

Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system for DNA gene assembly that utilizes a DNA symbol library and a DNA linker library. The lab-on-a-chip has a fluidic platform with a plurality of arrays operably connected to a voltage source and a controller for the voltage source, a set of first inlets operably connected to the fluidic platform, each first inlet for one DNA symbol from a DNA symbol library, a set of second inlets operably connected to the fluidic platform, each second inlet for one DNA linker from a DNA linker library, and a mixing area operably connected to the fluidic platform and to the plurality of first inlets and the plurality of second inlets.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and methods for positioning a configured number of biomaterials on a surface. The method disclosed includes the formation of a membrane mask structure including a configured number of nanopores. The nanopores are generally sized to be the same size as, or slightly larger than a single target biomaterial. The masking membrane is then adhered to a substrate. The substrate may include a raw substrate, or may be functionalized for the purpose of binding biomaterials with greater attraction. A solution including the target biomaterials is then exposed to the masking membrane. One biomaterial is able to adhere to the substrate through each nanopore. The solution is rinsed from the membrane surface leaving only the biomaterial that has adhered to the substrate with a relatively strong binding force. The masking membrane may then either remain or may be removed.

Abstract: A Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device to perform accurate label-free long-read DNA sequencing. A Raman sensor has a hot spot defined by plasmonic nanostructures and excited by at least one laser. An immobilized DNA polymerase can be used to pull a DNA template strand to be sequenced through the hot spot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying DNA strand size and purifying the DNA based on strand size using electrophoresis. The methods include moving, via voltage, a plurality of DNA strands through a separation gel from an inlet of a capillary or passage to either a first outlet or a second outlet dependent on the DNA strand length. In some implementations, the system is a capillary electrophoresis system. In other implementations, the system is a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processing includes a platform with a microstructure with at least one reaction chamber, and a heating element. The heating element heats at least a part of the at least one reaction chamber. The heating element includes at least one spin torque oscillator (STO) configured to heat the at least a part of the at least one reaction chamber to one or more temperatures for PCR processing.

Abstract: A system for DNA gene assembly that utilizes a DNA symbol library and a DNA linker library. The symbol library has a number of DNA symbols each having a first overhanging end and a second overhanging end different than and non-complimentary to the first end, the first and second ends being the same nucleotides for each DNA symbol. The linker library has pairs of DNA linkers, a first linker of a pair having a first end and a second end and a second linker of the pair having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first linker being the same nucleotides for each first linker and the second end of the second linker being the same nucleotides for each second linker, wherein the second end of the first linker and the first end of the second linker have complementary nucleotides. The first linker joins to the first end of a DNA symbol and the second linker joins to the second end of another DNA symbol.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a hydrophobic fluidic platform and a heater. The platform includes a plurality of electrode cells operably connected to a voltage source and a controller. The heater is configured to fuse first and second vesicles. The first and second vesicles encapsulate first and second DNA precursors, respectively. The fusing combines the first and second DNA precursors. In another embodiment, a microfluidic system includes a fluidic platform including a plurality of electrode cells, a vesicle mover, and a reaction facilitator. The vesicle mover is configured to move first and second vesicles to a selected cell of the plurality of electrode cells. The reaction facilitator is operably connected to the selected cell. A method includes providing a fluidic platform comprising a plurality of cells; moving first and second vesicles encapsulating first and second reagents, respectively, to a first cell; and fusing the first and second vesicles.

Abstract: Methods of, inter alia, detecting the presence of one or more analytes in one or more query samples include providing one or more sensor that each include biomolecules disposed on a functionalized surface of one or more giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors. Modes of operation remove or add magnetic beads from the vicinity of sensor surfaces by interactions with the biomolecules. The methods feature, inter alia, detecting the presence of one or more analytes in one or more query samples by measuring magnetoresistance change of the one or more GMR sensors based on determining magnetoresistance before and after passing magnetic particles over the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Method of utilizing a nanochannel in combination with at least one magnetic sensor for detecting (e.g., identifying) molecules, cells, and other analytes. Particularly, the method includes bringing molecules, labeled with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), in close proximity to the magnetic sensor to identify the molecules via an output signal from the magnetic sensor. The method is particularly suited for identifying nucleotides of DNA and RNA strands.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a fluidic platform having a surface, a first liquid disposed onto the fluidic platform, and a droplet disposed onto the first liquid. The first liquid has a first temperature. The droplet has a second temperature higher than the first temperature so that the droplet is levitated above the first liquid by a cushion of vapor of the first liquid. In an embodiment, a device is configured to provide a magnetic field that has variable strength across the surface. A location of a magnetic droplet relative to the surface area is affected by the magnetic field. A method includes providing a fluidic platform, providing a magnetic field, introducing a first liquid onto the fluidic platform, introducing a first magnetic droplet onto the first liquid, and locally varying the magnetic field.

Abstract: Methods of writing data to a DNA strand by inserting data-encoding oligos or symbols into a DNA backbone. One particular method of synthesizing a DNA strand encoding data includes cleaving a DNA backbone into multiple segments, and pasting a plurality of data-encoding oligo symbols between the multiple segments, with the terminal ends of the segments joining homologous terminal ends of the symbols, resulting in the DNA strand encoding data comprising alternating segments and symbols.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processing includes a platform with a microstructure with at least one reaction chamber, and a heating element. The heating element heats at least a part of the at least one reaction chamber. The heating element includes at least one spin torque oscillator (STO) configured to heat the at least a part of the at least one reaction chamber to one or more temperatures for PCR processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in reading DNA storage genes generally include removing one or more linking symbols from a first strand of a DNA storage gene, introducing a test symbol pool to the DNA storage gene, and replacing a data symbol in the first strand of the DNA storage gene with a single stranded test symbol from the test symbol pool when the linking symbol and data symbol of the single stranded test symbol are complimentary to an adjacent linking symbol and data symbol in the second strand of the DNA storage gene. The DNA storage gene is then scanned to identify locations on the DNA storage gene where the linking symbol is double stranded or single stranded. The locations where double stranded linking symbols are detected are then used, along with the composition of the test symbol pool, to read the DNA storage gene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying DNA strand size and purifying the DNA based on strand size using electrophoresis. The methods include moving, via voltage, a plurality of DNA strands through a separation gel from an inlet of a capillary or passage to either a first outlet or a second outlet dependent on the DNA strand length. In some implementations, the system is a capillary electrophoresis system. In other implementations, the system is a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip.

Abstract: A system for DNA gene assembly that utilizes a DNA symbol library and a DNA linker library. The symbol library has a number of DNA symbols each having a first overhanging end and a second overhanging end different than and non-complimentary to the first end, the first and second ends being the same nucleotides for each DNA symbol. The linker library has pairs of DNA linkers, a first linker of a pair having a first end and a second end and a second linker of the pair having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first linker being the same nucleotides for each first linker and the second end of the second linker being the same nucleotides for each second linker, wherein the second end of the first linker and the first end of the second linker have complementary nucleotides. The first linker joins to the first end of a DNA symbol and the second linker joins to the second end of another DNA symbol.

Abstract: A system for DNA gene assembly that utilizes a DNA symbol library and a DNA linker library. The symbol library has a number of DNA symbols each having a first overhanging end and a second overhanging end different than and non-complimentary to the first end, the first and second ends being the same nucleotides for each DNA symbol. The linker library has pairs of DNA linkers, a first linker of a pair having a first overhanging end and a second overhanging end and a second linker of the pair having a first overhanging end and a second overhanging end, the first end of the first linker being the same nucleotides for each first linker and the second end of the second linker being the same nucleotides for each second linker, wherein the second end of the first linker and the first end of the second linker have complementary nucleotides. The first linker joins to the first end of a DNA symbol and the second linker joins to the second end of another DNA symbol.

Abstract: A Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device to perform accurate label-free long-read DNA sequencing. A Raman sensor has a hot spot defined by plasmonic nanostructures and excited by at least one laser. An immobilized DNA polymerase can be used to pull a DNA template strand to be sequenced through the hot spot.