Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway or separated by at least one barrier. A fluid flow modulator can be provided in the fluid processing passageway if a fluid processing passageway is provided. The barrier and/or fluid flow modulator can comprise a polysaccharide, a derivative of a polysaccharide, or a combination thereof. For example, the barrier can comprise a chitosan material.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions, with the retainment regions that are separated by at least one dissolvable barrier. The retainment regions can be interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway. A retainment region can include a container such as a retainment region, well, chamber, or other receptacle, or a retainment region such as a surface on which the material is retained. The retainment regions can include a reaction retainment region, one or more reagent retainment regions, each containing unreacted reagents, and a sample retainment region. A pressure-actuated valve can be positioned in each fluid processing passageway interconnecting the one or more reagent retainment regions with the respective intermediate retainment regions interposed between each of the one or more reagent retainment regions and the reaction retainment region. The dissolvable barrier can be a fluid flow modulator in the at least one fluid processing passageway.

Abstract: The invention provides for an optical measuring instrument and measuring device. The optical measuring instrument for investigating a specimen contained in a sample comprises at least one source for providing at least one electromagnetic beam intended to irradiate the sample and to interact with the specimen within the sample, at least one sensor for detecting an output of the interaction between the specimen and the electromagnetic beam, an integrally formed mechanical bench for the optical and electronic components, a sample holder for holding the sample, wherein the at least one source, the at least one sensor, and the mechanical bench are integrated in one monolithic optoelectronic module and the sample holder can be connected to this module.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices that incorporate a porous polymer electrode assemblies, including microfluidic device useful for detection of nucleic acids, as well as methods of using the microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Porous polymer electrode assemblies are useful in the detection or quantification of a variety of analytes. By preparing a porous monolith, and applying a conductive polymer to the monolith, a porous matrix is prepared that combines favorable conductive properties, by virtue of the presence of the conductive polymer, with the porous character of the underlying monolith. The resulting porous electrode can be used for qualitative or quantitative analysis, and the capture and/or release of selected charged materials, such as nucleic acids. The pores of the electrode matrix may also be filled with nonconductive material, yielding electrodes having a plurality of discrete conductive surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample are described. In some embodiments, the sample to be analyzed includes a primer which hybridizes to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid, a probe having a first region which hybridizes to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid and a second region having a detectable label, a polymerase which extends the hybridized primer and an enzyme comprising nuclease activity that can cleave the hybridized hybridization probe to thereby release a labeled probe fragment. In some embodiments, the sample can then be contacted with a solid support comprising surface bound capture probes which can hybridize to the labeled probe fragment(s). These capture probes more readily bind to the probe fragment(s) than to the intact hybridization probe. The label can then be detected on the support surface. In this manner, improved discrimination between the probe fragments and the intact hybridization probes can be achieved.

Abstract: The current teachings are directed to compositions, methods, and kits for selectively amplifying and for detecting target sequences. In some embodiments, a circularizable probe and/or a probe pair are disclosed for selectively amplifying target sequences. Methods for selectively amplifying target sequences are also disclosed, as are methods for detecting selectively amplified target sequences. Certain embodiments of the disclosed methods comprise a circularizable probe, a probe pair, comprising a first probe and a second probe, or both. In certain embodiments, a multiplicity of different circularizable probes, a multiplicity of different probe sets, or a multiplicity of different circularizable probes and a multiplicity of different probe sets are provided to selectively amplify or to detect a multiplicity of different target sequences, typically in a multiplex reaction.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices that incorporate a porous polymer electrode assemblies, including microfluidic device useful for detection of nucleic acids, as well as methods of using the microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Porous polymer electrode assemblies are useful in the detection or quantification of a variety of analytes. By preparing a porous monolith, and applying a conductive polymer to the monolith, a porous matrix is prepared that combines favorable conductive properties, by virtue of the presence of the conductive polymer, with the porous character of the underlying monolith. The resulting porous electrode can be used for qualitative or quantitative analysis, and the capture and/or release of selected charged materials, such as nucleic acids. The pores of the electrode matrix may also be filled with nonconductive material, yielding electrodes having a plurality of discrete conductive surfaces.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a target polynucleotide sequences are provided that utilize a probe having a target-complementary segment and a detectable tag. By cleaving the detectable tab and associating the tag with a tag complement coupled to an electrode, an electrochemical signal can be detected that is related to the presence of the tag:tag complement complex.

Abstract: A fluid processing device and methods are provided that can process one or many different fluid samples, detection for each of which can be multiplexed to detect the presence or absence of each of a panel of target sequences, for example 20 different target sequences. The device can comprise a substrate and one or more fluid processing pathways at least partially defined by the substrate. Each fluid processing pathway can comprise a pre-amplification region and two or more amplification regions disposed downstream from and in fluid communication with the pre-amplification region. A burstable valve can be disposed along each fluid processing pathway and the downstream regions can contain pre-loaded ammonia gas to draw an amplified sample downstream.

Abstract: A method and device for preparing biological samples includes lysing the microorganisms, and collecting a desired biological material.

Abstract: A fluid processing device is provided that includes a substrate, a plurality of fluid retainment regions formed in or on the substrate, and a barrier at least partially separating two or more of the fluid retainment regions. The barrier includes a mixture of a sequestering material and a reaction component. The reaction component can be at least one of a reactant, a reagent, a catalyst, an initiator, a promoter, a cofactor, an enzyme, a salt, or a combination thereof. The sequestering material can be a porous material, a dissolvable material, or both.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway or separated by at least one barrier. A fluid flow modulator can be provided in the fluid processing passageway if a fluid processing passageway is provided. The barrier and/or fluid flow modulator can comprise a polysaccharide, a derivative of a polysaccharide, or a combination thereof. For example, the barrier can comprise a chitosan material.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions, with the retainment regions that are separated by at least one dissolvable barrier. The retainment regions can be interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway. A retainment region can include a container such as a retainment region, well, chamber, or other receptacle, or a retainment region such as a surface on which the material is retained. The retainment regions can include a reaction retainment region, one or more reagent retainment regions, each containing unreacted reagents, and a sample retainment region. A pressure-actuated valve can be positioned in each fluid processing passageway interconnecting the one or more reagent retainment regions with the respective intermediate retainment regions interposed between each of the one or more reagent retainment regions and the reaction retainment region. The dissolvable barrier can be a fluid flow modulator in the at least one fluid processing passageway.

Abstract: The invention relates to 5′-modified nucleotides and to nucleic acids which contain these nucleotides. Processes for incorporating the 5′-modified nucleotides into nucleic acids, and the subsequent site-specific cleavage of the nucleic acids at the 5′-modified monomer building blocks, are also disclosed. These processes can be employed for nucleic acid sequencing, for generating nucleic acid libraries, for detecting mutations, for preparing support-bound nucleic acids and for pharmaceutical purposes.