Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for detecting lung cancer. The method includes characterization of cells extracted from human sputum, which is a valuable tissue surrogate and source of upper respiratory cells that become cancerous early in the process of lung cancer development. The method includes the staining of extracted cells with fluorescent reporters that produce a specific pattern in the nuclei of labeled cells, which can be made visible by light microscopy. The pattern is relevant to a type of epigenetic coding of DNA known as DNA methylation, which changes in specific cells of the lung during cancer development, in comparison to normal respiratory cells.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for detecting lung cancer. The method includes characterization of cells extracted from human sputum, which is a valuable tissue surrogate and source of upper respiratory cells that become cancerous early in the process of lung cancer development. The method includes the staining of extracted cells with fluorescent reporters that produce a specific pattern in the nuclei of labeled cells, which can be made visible by light microscopy. The pattern is relevant to a type of epigenetic coding of DNA known as DNA methylation, which changes in specific cells of the lung during cancer development, in comparison to normal respiratory cells.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for detecting lung cancer. The method includes characterization of cells extracted from human sputum, which is a valuable tissue surrogate and source of upper respiratory cells that become cancerous early in 5 the process of lung cancer development. The method includes the staining of extracted cells with fluorescent reporters that produce a specific pattern in the nuclei of labeled cells, which can be made visible by light microscopy. The pattern is relevant to a type of epigenetic coding of DNA known as DNA methylation, which changes in specific cells of the lung during cancer development, in comparison to normal respiratory cells.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. In some embodiments, the invention takes advantage of the combinatorial utility of certain biomarkers to prognose and diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage. In certain embodiments, the methods described herein do not require the selection of cells from a particular tissue compartment, and are therefore suitable for analysis of cancer tissue in which compartmentalization is lost.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application discloses methods for detecting lung cancer. The method includes characterization of cells extracted from human sputum, which is a valuable tissue surrogate and source of upper respiratory cells that become cancerous early in 5 the process of lung cancer development. The method includes the staining of extracted cells with fluorescent reporters that produce a specific pattern in the nuclei of labeled cells, which can be made visible by light microscopy. The pattern is relevant to a type of epigenetic coding of DNA known as DNA methylation, which changes in specific cells of the lung during cancer development, in comparison to normal respiratory cells.

Abstract: The invention is a method using immunofluorescence, high-resolution imaging, and 3D image analysis to quantify spatial distribution of methylcytosine (MeC) in global DNA in individual cell nuclei, for the characterization of cells and tissues based on their nuclear MeC distribution patterns. The invented method is intended for basic research, clinical diagnostics and prognostics, pharmacology and toxicology, and molecular and cell-based therapy. We describe an image-cytometrical tool performing rapid cell-by-cell assay to analyze the impact of environmental conditions on global DNA methylation, including alterations of methylcytosine load and the spatial reorganization of methylated DNA in cell nuclei. The assay can be combined with molecular approaches for profiling of cells and their genomes. In contrast to molecular methods, it provides information regarding the location of MeC in cell nuclei.

Abstract: A biochip and apparatus is disclosed for performing biological assays in a self-contained microfluidic platform. The disposable biochip for multi-step reactions comprises a body structure with a plurality of reagent cavities and reaction wells connected via microfluidic channels; the reagent cavities with reagent sealing means for storing a plurality of reagents; the reagent sealing means being breakable and allowing a sequence of reagents to be released into microfluidic channel and reaction well; and the reaction well allowing multi-step reactions to occur by sequentially removing away the residual reagents. The analysis apparatus can rapidly, automatically, sensitively, and simultaneously detect and identify multiple analytes or multiple samples in a very small quantity.