Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array. A key feature of the invention is the correlation of the sequence of optical signals generated by each microparticle in the planar array during the analytical process.

Abstract: Abstract An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: Cloning systems useful for the isolation of recombinant nucleic acid are disclosed in which the recombination of cloning-system nucleic acid and foreign nucleic acid is linked to the expression of a moiety on the surface of a host organism, the moiety being a first member of a binding pair. When recombination occurs between the nucleic acid and the foreign nucleic acid, the moiety is expressed on the surface of the host organism. The isolation of recombinant nucleic acid is then performed by attaching a second member of the binding pair to a solid support and contacting the host organism with the support. When the first member of the binding pair is expressed on the surface of the host organism, the host organism binds to the second member of the binding pair attached to the solid support, thereby selectively isolating those organisms.

Abstract: Cloning systems useful for the isolation of recombinant nucleic acid are disclosed in which the recombination of cloning-system nucleic acid and foreign nucleic acid is linked to the expression of a moiety on the surface of a host organism, the moiety being a first member of a binding pair. When recombination occurs between the nucleic acid and the foreign nucleic acid, the moiety is expressed on the surface of the host organism. The isolation of recombinant nucleic acid is then performed by attaching a second member of the binding pair to a solid support and contacting the host organism with the support. When the first member of the binding pair is expressed on the surface of the host organism, the host organism binds to the second member of the binding pair attached to the solid support, thereby selectively isolating those organisms.

Abstract: Cloning systems useful for the isolation of recombinant nucleic acid are disclosed in which the recombination of cloning-system nucleic acid and foreign nucleic acid is linked to the expression of a moiety on the surface of a host organism, the moiety being a first member of a binding pair. When recombination occurs between the nucleic acid and the foreign nucleic acid, the moiety is expressed on the surface of the host organism. The isolation of recombinant nucleic acid is then performed by attaching a second member of the binding pair to a solid support and contacting the host organism with the support. When the first member of the binding pair is expressed on the surface of the host organism, the host organism binds to the second member of the binding pair attached to the solid support, thereby selectively isolating those organisms.

Abstract: Cloning systems useful for the isolation of recombinant nucleic acid are disclosed in which the recombination of cloning-system nucleic acid and foreign nucleic acid is linked to the expression of a moiety on the surface of a host organism, the moiety being a first member of a binding pair. When recombination occurs between the nucleic acid and the foreign nucleic acid, the moiety is expressed on the surface of the host organism. The isolation of recombinant nucleic acid is then performed by attaching a second member of the binding pair to a solid support and contacting the host organism with the support. When the first member of the binding pair is expressed on the surface of the host organism, the host organism binds to the second member of the binding pair attached to the solid support, thereby selectively isolating those organisms. Other aspects of the invention include devices for the isolation of individual cells that differentially express binding moieties on their surface.

Abstract: A liquid-handling instrument has a worksurface with registration for modular stations to support containers of liquid, pipette apparatus with a pipette tip coupled to a sensing circuit, a robotic translation system for moving the pipette tip, and a control system with an iconic user interface for programming and editing. A gauge block registered on the worksurface provides for calibration using the sensing tip, and register cavities on the worksurface provide for modular stations. There is a wash station fop the pipette tip on the worksurface. An automated laboratory based on the liquid-handling system has heating and cooling and a sealable incubation station as well as a magnetic separation station. Methods are disclosed using the apparatus to convey droplets of liquid, to aspirate with minimum tip contamination, to mix liquids in containers, and to validate the worksurface.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus has a gel film cast between two plates and buffer reservoirs at each end of the film with electrodes connectable to an external power supply for providing electromotive force for driving electrophoresis. The reservoirs are configured to wet the ends of the gel film and submerge the electrodes with the apparatus positioned either horizontally or vertically, so gel films can be cast horizontally with sample wells formed in the end of the gel between the plates. Samples may be added to the wells and run into the gel with the apparatus positioned vertically, and the analytical separation may be performed with the apparatus again positioned horizontally, such as in an automatic scanning apparatus.

Abstract: An automated system for providing a preselected sequence of chemicals to a reaction. This apparatus includes a track on which a set of cartridges are placed in a preselected order corresponding to an order in which they are to be used in a reaction process. These cartridges are moved past a point at which these chemicals are extracted for use in the process. The chemicals are preferably in liquid form and are contained in containing having a top seal through which a needle can penetrate to extract chemicals for use in the process. These containers preferably contain the aliquot portion needed for the process, thereby providing a mechanism for providing accurate amounts of each chemical to the process.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically constructing a polypeptide of high purity, up to 50 amino acids in length, using only single couplings. The apparatus includes an activation system for receiving protected amino acids, one kind at a time, having a common vessel (an activator vessel) in which to activate each of the amino acids. Also included is a reaction vessel for containing a resin used in solid-phase peptide synthesis for attaching a peptide chain thereto. A transfer system is also provided, which operates under control of a computer, to transfer the activated species from the activation system to the reaction vessel and to transfer amino acids, reagents, gases, and solvents from one part of the apparatus to another. The activator system also includes a temperature controlled concentrator vessel in which an activator solvent is replaced by a coupling solvent to enhance the coupling of the activated species to the peptide chain in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically constructing a polypeptide of high purity, up to 50 amino acids in length, using only single couplings. The apparatus includes an activation system for receiving protected amino acids, one kind at a time, having a common vessel (an activator vessel) in which to activate each of the amino acids. Also included is a reaction vessel for containing a resin used in solid-phase peptide synthesis for attaching a peptide chain thereto. A transfer system is also provided, which operates under control of a computer, to transfer the activated species from the activation system to the reaction vessel and to transfer amino acids, reagents, gases, and solvents from one part of the apparatus to another. The activator system also includes a temperature controlled concentrator vessel in which an activator solvent is replaced by a coupling solvent to enhance the coupling of the activated species to the peptide chain in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A real-time, automated, nucleic acid sequencing apparatus that offers high speed, definitive sequencing on many samples at the same time. The apparatus permits more than one clone to be sequenced at a time, thus vastly decreasing the time required to sequence longer fragments and reducing sequencing costs accordingly. The apparatus detects electromagnetic radiation from a plurality of lanes in an electrophoresis system wherein the plurality of lanes are arranged in a planar array. The apparatus includes an optical system for detecting the radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and is made up of a collection element, a filter for selectively transmitting the plurality of wavelengths received from the collection element, and a detection system for measuring intensity of the radiation received from the filter means.