Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for purifying nucleic acid from a sample using mild conditions that do not affect the chemical integrity of the nucleic acid. The method comprises contacting the sample with an matrix entrapped chitosan solid phase which is able to bind the nucleic acids at a first pH, and then extracting the nucleic acid from the solid phase by using an elution solvent at a second pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated microfluidic analysis system. The system contains at least a first (pre-reaction treatment) domain for treating a sample prior to subjecting the sample to a chemical reaction. The following domains are optionally added to the first domain: a second (reaction) domain for reacting the chemical of interest in the sample; and a third (post-reaction separation) domain for separating products and reactants coming out of the reaction domain. The integrated microfluidic analysis system of the present invention is most applicable to PCR analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel device comprising a sol-gel filled microchannel and methods for purifying nucleic acids from biological samples. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the microfluidic device (1) comprises a base (2) with a microchannel (3) formed in the interior of base (2), wherein said microchannel (3) is filled with a sol-gel matrix and in fluid communication with an inlet port (4) and outlet port (5) wherein inlet port (4) and outlet port (5) are formed on the exterior surface (10) of base (2). The device may be further provided with additional components to allow for analytical analysis of the purified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for delivering microwave radiation, e.g., for heating, to a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device of the present invention contains a microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) for applying microwave radiation to specific areas within the microfluidic device. The circuit preferably includes a transmission line on one surface of the microfluidic device and a ground plane on the opposing surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices (20), and in particular, heat management in such devices. To achieve desired thermal properties in selected areas of a microfluidic or nanofluidic device, selective removal or addition of material (thermal mass) can be effected in certain selected regions of the device to control thermal properties, wherein the selected regions are immediately surrounding a reaction chamber (14) and resulting in an empty space (18). This is particularly useful in accommodating rapid heating and/or cooling rates during sample processing and analysis on a microfluidic or nanofluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices, and in particular, flow management in such devices. In particular, the present invention provides an electrostatic valve for flow manipulation in a microfluidic device. The valve of the present invention sits on a valve seat in a microchannel and deflects away from the valve seat by electrostatic actuation to assume an opened configuration to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microdevices and methods of manufacturing such devices. More particularly the present invention is directed to the use of a compound having the general structure (formula (I)): wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, and C5-C6 aryl for bonding silica based substrates to plastic substrates or to other silica based substrates.

Abstract: In the present capillary electrokinetic chromatograpy method, analytes are injected by electroosmotic flow directly from a sample matrix into a separation buffer containing an electrokinetic vector with an opposite mobility. Analytes can now be injected at the velocity of electroosmotic flow, but are retained at the interface of the sample matrix-co-ion and separation buffer micelle zones as analyte/micelle complexes. Manipulation of the injecting force and opposing stacking force allow greatly increased length or volume of injection. Concentrations of the micelle, methanol, and borate in the separation buffer were provided to increase maximum injection length of neutral analytes. Reducing the analyte velocity in the separation buffer without substantially decreasing the velocity of the analyte during injection from the sample vial allowed greatly extended sample plug injection lengths. It is further enabled to inject sample solvent volumes equivalent to about twenty times the effective capillary volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for rapidly and accurately measuring the temperature of a small volume sample. The remote temperature sensor contains an optical interferometric sensor, preferably an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI), for measuring the difference in the distance traveled by a reference reflection and a sensing reflection. Because the refraction index of a solution is proportional to temperature, the output of the optical interferometric sensor can be converted to a temperature with a standard curve. Further, the present invention also provides methods and apparatus for measuring the temperature of the sample in performing non-contact (remote) thermocycling on small, micro to nanoliter, volume samples, wherein each cycle can be completed in as little as a few seconds.

Abstract: In the present capillary electrokinetic chromatograpy method, analytes are injected by electroosmotic flow directly from a sample matrix into a separation buffer containing an electrokinetic vector with an opposite mobility. Analytes can now be injected at the velocity of electroosmotic flow, but are retained at the interface of the sample matrix-co-ion and separation buffer micelle zones as analyte/micelle complexes. Manipulation of the injecting force and opposing stacking force allow greatly increased length or volume of injection. Concentrations of the micelle, methanol, and borate in the separation buffer were provided to increase maximum injection length of neutral analytes. Reducing the analyte velocity in the separation buffer without substantially decreasing the velocity of the analyte during injection from the sample vial allowed greatly extended sample plug injection lengths. It is further enabled to inject sample solvent volumes equivalent to about twenty times the effective capillary volume.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for injection and stacking of analytes in high salt samples. This stacking method works with both pressure injection or electrokinetic injection. The ability to stack analytes with electrokinetic injection allows the translation of high-salt stacking from the capillary to the microchip format.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for injection and stacking of analytes in high salt samples. This stacking method works with both pressure injection or electrokinetic injection. The ability to stack analytes with electrokinetic injection allows the translation of high-salt stacking from the capillary to the microchip format.

Abstract: Methods for performing rapid and accurate thermocycling on a sample are disclosed. Use of non-contact heating and cooling sources allows precise temperature control with sharp transitions from one temperature to another to be achieved. A wide range of temperatures can be accomplished according to these methods. In addition, thermocycling can be performed without substantial temperature gradients occurring in the sample. Apparatus for achieving these methods are also disclosed. A method for pumping a sample through microchannels on a microchip using a non-contact heat source is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for performing rapid and accurate thermocycling on a sample are disclosed. Use of non-contact heating and cooling sources allows precise temperature control with sharp transitions from one temperature to another to be achieved. A wide range of temperatures can be accomplished according to these methods. In addition, thermocycling can be performed without substantial temperature gradients occurring in the sample. Apparatus for achieving these methods are also disclosed. A method for pumping a sample through microchannels on a microchip using a non-contact heat source is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an excitation source which may be used, for example, in conjunction with the scanning of multi-channel electrophoresis chips or capillary arrays. The excitation source is comprised of a source of light, such as a laser beam. A beam expander, an acousto-optic deflector, and a filter are optically aligned with the source of light. A driver is connected to the acousto-optic deflector for controlling the angle of deflection. A system is disclosed which includes the excitation source, a detector for detecting fluorescence from a target chip, and a beam splitter or other device for optically connecting the excitation source to the chip and for optically connecting the chip to the detector. The excitation source may be based on an acousto-optic deflector, an electrooptic deflector, a piezoelectric deflector, or any other electronically controlled device.

Abstract: Methods for performing rapid and accurate thermocycling on a sample are disclosed. Use of non-contact heating and cooling sources allows precise temperature control with sharp transitions from one temperature to another to be achieved. A wide range of temperatures can be accomplished according to these methods. In addition, thermocycling can be performed without substantial temperature gradients occurring in the sample. Apparatus for achieving these methods are also disclosed. A method for pumping a sample through microchannels on a microchip using a non-contact heat source is also disclosed.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis method for resolving transferrin glycoforms in a sample is described. The capillary comprises a lumen, an inlet and an outlet. The lumenal surface of the capillary is charge-neutral and the capillary contains a buffer containing a polymeric matrix. The transferrin sample is contacted with the inlet of the capillary. A voltage is applied to the capillary such that the inlet is a cathode and the outlet is an anode and such that the voltage is effective for resolving transferrin glycoforms. A method for diagnosing chronic alcoholism or carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome using CE to resolve abnormal populations of transferrin glycoforms is also described.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine glomerular filtration rate employing capillary electrophoresis to measure the concentration of a non-labeled iothalamic acid salt in urine and blood samples.