Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid analyte in a sample. The methods generally involve modifying immobilized nucleic acids from a sample onto an insoluble support in a substantially elongated configuration, where modification generates an identifying feature that identifies the analyte; and detecting the identifying feature(s) using scanning probe microscopy, to detect the analyte. The present invention further provides a method for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a computer program product for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample; and a system for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method for immobilizing a nucleic acid onto an insoluble support; and further provides insoluble support having nucleic acid(s) immobilized thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid analyte in a sample. The methods generally involve modifying immobilized nucleic acids from a sample onto an insoluble support in a substantially elongated configuration, where modification generates an identifying feature that identifies the analyte; and detecting the identifying feature(s) using scanning probe microscopy, to detect the analyte. The present invention further provides a method for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a computer program product for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample; and a system for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method for immobilizing a nucleic acid onto an insoluble support; and further provides insoluble support having nucleic acid(s) immobilized thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastography system includes an elastography device and a position sensing device connected to the elastography device. The elastography device includes a housing, a probing element removably attached to the housing, and a force sensor attached within the housing, where the force sensor is connected to the probing element. In another aspect, an elastography) method includes inserting a probing element into a material, producing, by a force sensor connected to a base of the probing element a signal indicative of a force applied to the probing element upon insertion of the probing element into the material, and based on the signal, deriving a mapping of spatial variations of a material property within the material.

Abstract: Described herein is the analysis of nanomechanical characteristics of cells. In particular, changes in certain local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo human cells can correlate with presence of a human disease, such as cancer, as well as a particular stage of progression of the disease. Also, for human patients that are administered with a therapeutic agent, changes in local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo cells collected from the patients can correlate with effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in terms of impeding or reversing progression of the disease. By exploiting this correlation, systems and related methods can be advantageously implemented for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid analyte in a sample. The methods generally involve modifying immobilized nucleic acids from a sample onto an insoluble support in a substantially elongated configuration, where modification generates an identifying feature that identifies the analyte; and detecting the identifying feature(s) using scanning probe microscopy, to detect the analyte. The present invention further provides a method for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a computer program product for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample; and a system for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method for immobilizing a nucleic acid onto an insoluble support; and further provides insoluble support having nucleic acid(s) immobilized thereon.

Abstract: Described herein is the analysis of nanomechanical characteristics of cells. In particular, changes in certain local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo human cells can correlate with presence of a human disease, such as cancer, as well as a particular stage of progression of the disease. Also, for human patients that are administered with a therapeutic agent, changes in local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo cells collected from the patients can correlate with effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in terms of impeding or reversing progression of the disease. By exploiting this correlation, systems and related methods can be advantageously implemented for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: Described herein is the analysis of nanomechanical characteristics of cells. In particular, changes in certain local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo human cells can correlate with presence of a human disease, such as cancer, as well as a particular stage of progression of the disease. Also, for human patients that are administered with a therapeutic agent, changes in local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo cells collected from the patients can correlate with effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in terms of impeding or reversing progression of the disease. By exploiting this correlation, systems and related methods can be advantageously implemented for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid analyte in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a computer program product for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample; and a system for assigning a profile of a feature to a nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method for immobilizing a nucleic acid onto an insoluble support; and further provides insoluble support having nucleic acid(s) immobilized thereon. The present invention further provides a method of diagnosing a disorder or condition in an individual, where the method involves use of a subject method for detecting a nucleic acid analyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, and biological state. The method generally involves detecting membrane movement in a cell to determine a characteristic of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening and diagnostics. The invention further provides databases of cell characteristics, as determined by the instant methods. The invention further provides systems for determining the characteristic of a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calorimeter device, generally comprising a reaction vessel which may be U-shaped and which may be cantilevered; and a sensor for detecting temperature changes. In various embodiments, the sensor detects heat input into or output from the reaction vessel; changes in the electrical properties of a material coated onto the reaction vessel; changes in the mechanical properties of the reaction vessel; or changes in the resonance properties of the reaction vessel. The present invention further provides arrays of a subject calorimeter device. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a temperature change. The present invention further provides methods of detecting a temperature change that occurs as a result of a chemical, biochemical, biological, light-induced, or physical process. The methods generally involve introducing a sample into a subject device, and detecting a temperature change.

Abstract: Described herein is the analysis of nanomechanical characteristics of cells. In particular, changes in certain local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo human cells can correlate with presence of a human disease, such as cancer, as well as a particular stage of progression of the disease. Also, for human patients that are administered with a therapeutic agent, changes in local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo cells collected from the patients can correlate with effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in terms of impeding or reversing progression of the disease. By exploiting this correlation, systems and related methods can be advantageously implemented for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: Ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric crystals are used to generate spatially localized high energy (up to and exceeding 100 keV) electron and ion beams, which may be used in a wide variety of applications including pulsed neutron generation, therapeutic X-ray/electron devices, elemental analysis, local scanning chemical analysis, high energy scanning microscopy, point source compact transmission electron microscopy, compact ion beam sources, positron sources, micro-thrusters for ion engines, and improved fusion efficiency especially of the Farnsworth type. The high-energy emission can be created by simply heating the material or by application of external coercive electromagnetic and acoustic fields.

Abstract: Ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric crystals are used to generate spatially localized high energy (up to and exceeding 100 keV) electron and ion beams, which may be used in a wide variety of applications including pulsed neutron generation, therapeutic X-ray/electron devices, elemental analysis, local scanning chemical analysis, high energy scanning microscopy, point source compact transmission electron microscopy, compact ion beam sources, positron sources, micro-thrusters for ion engines, and improved fusion efficiency especially of the Farnsworth type. The high-energy emission can be created by simply heating the material or by application of external coercive electromagnetic and acoustic fields.

Abstract: The present invention provides sensors based on micromachined ultrasonic transducer technology. The sensors preferably include a plurality of sensor elements, but may include only one sensor element. Arrays of sensors are also provided. Sensor elements include a functionalized membrane supported over a substrate by a support frame. The functionalized membrane, support frame and substrate together form a vacuum gap. The sensor element is connected to an electrical circuit, which is configured to operate the sensor element at or near an open circuit resonance condition. The mechanical resonance frequency of the functionalized membrane is responsive to binding of an agent to the membrane. Thus, the sensor element also includes a detector, where the detector provides a sensor output responsive to the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor element.