Abstract: A method for scanning a microarray, including (a) providing a microarray to an optical scanner, wherein the microarray includes a surface having features having different target molecules; (b) scanning the surface in the x or y direction to acquire optical signals from the features at sequential regions of the surface, wherein the focus setting between the optical scanner and the surface is dynamically controlled in real time by repeatedly (i) adding a predetermined focal offset, thereby introducing an error in the focus setting, and (ii) adjusting the focus setting to reduce the error in the focus setting, thereby acquiring the optical signals from different regions at different degrees of focus such that a subset of the regions that are scanned have an introduced focus error; and (c) analyzing the optical signals that are obtained at the different degrees of focus to identify the different target molecules.

Abstract: A method for scanning a microarray, including (a) providing a microarray to an optical scanner, wherein the microarray includes a surface having features having different target molecules; (b) scanning the surface in the x or y direction to acquire optical signals from the features at sequential regions of the surface, wherein the focus setting between the optical scanner and the surface is dynamically controlled in real time by repeatedly (i) adding a predetermined focal offset, thereby introducing an error in the focus setting, and (ii) adjusting the focus setting to reduce the error in the focus setting, thereby acquiring the optical signals from different regions at different degrees of focus such that a subset of the regions that are scanned have an introduced focus error; and (c) analyzing the optical signals that are obtained at the different degrees of focus to identify the different target molecules.

Abstract: A method of making a flowcell includes bonding a first surface of an organic solid support to a surface of a first inorganic solid support via a first bonding layer, wherein the organic solid support includes a plurality of elongated cutouts. The method further includes bonding a surface of a second inorganic solid support to a second surface of the organic solid support via a second bonding layer, so as to form the flowcell. The formed flowcell includes a plurality of channels defined by the surface of the first inorganic solid support, the surface of the second inorganic solid support, and walls of the elongated cutouts.

Abstract: A fluidic device including an inorganic solid support attached to an organic solid support by a bonding layer, wherein the inorganic solid support has a rigid structure and wherein the bonding layer includes a material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength that is transmitted by the inorganic solid support or the organic solid support; and a channel formed by the inorganic solid support and the organic solid support, wherein the bonding layer that attaches the inorganic solid support to the organic solid support provides a seal against liquid flow. Methods for making fluidic devices, such as this, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for sequencing includes steps of (a) providing first and second nucleic acid templates, wherein the two templates have different sequences; (b) extending a first primer bound to the first template using a first polymerase species and a first set of nucleotide analogs; (c) extending a second primer bound to the second template using a second polymerase species and a second set of nucleotide analogs, wherein the first polymerase species is different from the second polymerase species and wherein the first set of nucleotide analog is different from the second set of nucleotide analog, (d) detecting the first and second primer extension products; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d), thereby determining the different sequences of the first and second templates.

Abstract: An array including a solid support having a plurality of contours along its exterior surface. A first subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface of the solid support to form a first pattern of features and a second subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface to form a second pattern of features. The contours of the first subset are juxtaposed with the second subset along the exterior surface, whereby the first and second patterns form an interleaved pattern. The features of the first pattern occur at a first elevation z1 and the features of the second pattern occur at a second elevation z2. The features of the first pattern are configured to attach analytes at a different elevation relative to analytes attached to the features of the second pattern.

Abstract: A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other.

Abstract: A photographic image replacement system includes an imaging device having an imager that performs imaging, a communicator that performs communication with a server, and a controller that controls the communicator such that an image that includes a registered target among images captured by the imager is transmitted to the server, and the server provides the image received from the imaging device to a device used by a user who is related to the registration.

Abstract: A method for sequencing includes steps of (a) providing first and second nucleic acid templates, wherein the two templates have different sequences; (b) extending a first primer bound to the first template using a first polymerase species and a first set of nucleotide analogs; (c) extending a second primer bound to the second template using a second polymerase species and a second set of nucleotide analogs, wherein the first polymerase species is different from the second polymerase species and wherein the first set of nucleotide analog is different from the second set of nucleotide analog, (d) detecting the first and second primer extension products; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d), thereby determining the different sequences of the first and second templates.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analysis of image data generated from various reference points. Particularly, the methods and systems provided are useful for real time analysis of image and sequence data generated during DNA sequencing methodologies.

Abstract: A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other.

Abstract: A method for sequencing includes steps of (a) providing first and second nucleic acid templates, wherein the two templates have different sequences; (b) extending a first primer bound to the first template using a first polymerase species and a first set of nucleotide analogs; (c) extending a second primer bound to the second template using a second polymerase species and a second set of nucleotide analogs, wherein the first polymerase species is different from the second polymerase species and wherein the first set of nucleotide analog is different from the second set of nucleotide analog, (d) detecting the first and second primer extension products; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d), thereby determining the different sequences of the first and second templates.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analysis of image data generated from various reference points. Particularly, the methods and systems provided are useful for real time analysis of image and sequence data generated during DNA sequencing methodologies.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.

Abstract: A portable detector is disclosed for detecting certain analytes of interest, such as genetic material (e.g., nucleic acids). The detector includes a reading component for the detection of the analytes, and control circuitry for controlling operation of the reading component. Processing circuitry may be included to perform both primary analysis of acquired data, and where desired, secondary analysis. Where desired, some or all of the computationally intensive tasks may be off-loaded to enhance the portability and speed of the device. The device may incorporate various types of interface, technologies for reading and analysis, positioning system interfaces, and so forth. A number of exemplary use cases and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for scanning a microarray, including (a) providing a microarray to an optical scanner, wherein the microarray includes a surface having features having different target molecules; (b) scanning the surface in the x or y direction to acquire optical signals from the features at sequential regions of the surface, wherein the focus setting between the optical scanner and the surface is dynamically controlled in real time by repeatedly (i) adding a predetermined focal offset, thereby introducing an error in the focus setting, and (ii) adjusting the focus setting to reduce the error in the focus setting, thereby acquiring the optical signals from different regions at different degrees of focus such that a subset of the regions that are scanned have an introduced focus error; and (c) analyzing the optical signals that are obtained at the different degrees of focus to identify the different target molecules.

Abstract: Method of detecting surface features of a microarray. The method includes providing a microarray to an optical scanner, wherein the microarray includes a surface having features. The method also includes carrying out a scanning process using the optical scanner, wherein the scanning process includes: (i) acquiring images of sequential regions on the surface, wherein a defocus spread is applied to the optical scanner during the acquiring, (ii) determining a focus score for the images, (iii) adjusting the optical scanner to a different defocus spread based on the focus score, and (iv) repeating (i) through (iii) at the different defocus spread, thereby acquiring images of further sequential regions on the surface. The method also includes analyzing the images to distinguish different target molecules at the features of the microarray. The images that are analyzed were acquired at the defocus spread and at the different defocus spread during the scanning process.

Abstract: The invention relates to reinforced epoxy nanocomposites, for example, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/epoxy nanocomposites, and methods for preparation thereof.

Abstract: A method for sequencing includes steps of (a) providing first and second nucleic acid templates, wherein the two templates have different sequences; (b) extending a first primer bound to the first template using a first polymerase species and a first set of nucleotide analogs; (c) extending a second primer bound to the second template using a second polymerase species and a second set of nucleotide analogs, wherein the first polymerase species is different from the second polymerase species and wherein the first set of nucleotide analog is different from the second set of nucleotide analog, (d) detecting the first and second primer extension products; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d), thereby determining the different sequences of the first and second templates.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.