Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a nucleic acid, polynucleotide, oligonucleotide, or polymer array and device therefore, wherein the method includes synthesizing a plurality of positionally addressable nucleic acids, polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, or polymers in a reaction array, and transferring these positionally addressable substances from the reaction array directly to a substrate to form the desired product array.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of sequencing nucleic acids in which mixtures of oligonucleotide fragments are derived from sequencing reactions using combinations of the 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphate or 3' deoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphate terminators and appropriate concentrations of four dNTPs (2'-deoxynucleoside 5' triphosphates, e.g., dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP, dITP, 7-deaza-GTP). These fragments are generated by enzymatic extension of a primer hybridized to the single-stranded template DNA to be sequenced. In contrast to common slab gel sequencing methods, the method of the instant invention does not require precise alignment of the four separation sets of the terminated fragments to permit deduction of the DNA sequence. In addition, the method possesses inherent redundancy in the separations, which facilitates sequence assignment by resolving sequence uncertainties or anomalies.

Abstract: This invention involves method and apparatus for multiplexing electrophoresis analysis. An array of samples in multi well plates are simultaneously transferred to an array of electrophoresis column where electrophoresis is simultaneously carried out followed by analysis of the columns. The methods and apparatus of this invention are, for example, useful for DNA analysis, including sequencing, and for measuring reactions between specifically binding proteins and their binding partners.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a work station for conducting assays which comprises filtering assembly, a slide reading assembly, and a slide with a porous filter membrane wherein the slide has a means for aligning the slide within the filter assembly to filter reagents on predetermined portions of the porous filter membrane and also to position the slide in the slide reading assembly so that detection will occur in those same predetermined locations.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided for detecting analytes, where the sample is placed upstream from a reagent which is a component of a signal-producing system. The detection zone is provided upstream from the sample, where the amount of reagent which becomes bound at two sites is determined and the two values used for an accurate determination of an analyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of particles in a fluorescent dispersion which exceed either a predetermined fluorescence intensity or size are disclosed. The method and apparatus involve the irradiation of the dispersion with excitation light, the examination of the fluorescent light entering an optical fiber from a portion of the excited region small enough to permit only a low probability that more than one particle of interest is present in the volume during a predetermined period of time, and the measurement of the emitted fluorescence entering the fiber, substantially free of excitation light, to the extent that the fluorescence differs in intensity from that of the dispersion in the absence of the particle.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a characteristic of a signal modulating component related to an analyte of interest at an assay site by measuring light modulated by the component. A light source uniformly illuminates the assay site and a reference site. The light is directed from the sites onto a group of memory cells on the surface of a random access memory. The memory cells will decay from a logical 1 to a logical 0 due to the light over a period of time which is a function of the intensity of the light and the reference voltage of the memory cells marking the difference between a 1 and a 0. The digital state of each of the memory cells in the group is measured a predetermined exposure time. The measured states of a group of memory cells corresponding to the assay site are compared to the memory cell states for a reference group. The measured states are then analyzed to determine a characteristic of the analyte.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in a method for measuring intensity fluctuations of an electromagnetic signal of wavelength between about 350 nm to 1200 nm from a liquid medium. The improvement comprises autocorrelating the intensity of the signal over a non-zero interval the duration of which is short compared to the mean duration of the fluctuations. The method has particular applciations in the diagnostic area, particularly where such fluctuations are a result of the presence of fluroscent particles in a liquid medium. Methods are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a sample suspected of containing such analyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of particles in a fluorescent dispersion which exceed either a predetermined fluorescence intensity or size are disclosed. The method and apparatus involve the irradiation of the dispersion with excitation light, the examination of the fluorescent light entering an optical fiber from a portion of the excited region small enough to permit only a low probability that more than one particle of interest is present in the volume during a predetermined period of time, and the measurement of the emitted fluorescence entering the fiber, substantially free of excitation light, to the extent that the fluorescence differs in intensity from that of the dispersion in the absence of the particle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for enhanced detection relative to background radiation, of electromagnetic signals from an emitter of radiation in response to incident radiation. The method and apparatus have particular applicability in the field of particle detection, e.g. fluorescent particle detection.