Abstract: The invention relates to quality control of analytical assays, particularly NAT assays of blood samples containing nucleic acids. A control panel containing quantified amounts of substances known to interfere with an analytical assay is used and compared with a reference sample in the analytical assay. A comparison of the assay results interference panel validates the assay and can serve as a periodic quality control check for the analytical assay as well as related methods and protocols. The use of the control panel of the invention can also determine whether interfering substances are present and establish under what conditions the analytical assay reliable.

Abstract: A coated magnetic particle comprising an optionally porous magnetic polymer particle of a matrix polymer, said polymer particle having on a surface and/or in the pores thereof superparamagnetic crystals, said coated particle having a coat formed of a coating polymer, wherein said coated magnetic particle is essentially non-autofluorescent.

Abstract: Alkynyl-derivatized cap analogs, alkynyl-modified capped RNA, 1,4-disubstituted triazole-derivatized capped RNA, methods of preparation, methods of isolation, and uses thereof are provided. The “click” modification facilitates detection and isolation of capped RNAs and the 1,4-disubstituted triazole derivatives formed by the “click” reaction are useful for producing RNA transcripts and encoded protein.

Abstract: Nucleotide triphosphate probes containing a molecular and/or atomic tag on a a ? and/or ? phosphate group and/or a base moiety having a detectable property are disclosed, and kits and method for using the tagged nucleotides in sequencing reactions and various assay. Also, phosphate and polyphosphate molecular fidelity altering agents are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes: receiving a signal comprising measurements of a parameter measured in response to a plurality of nucleotide flows flowed in a space comprising a sample nucleic acid; normalizing the signal to obtain a normalized signal; adaptively normalizing the normalized signal to obtain an adaptively normalized signal; and predicting a sequence of base calls corresponding to the sample nucleic acid using the adaptively normalized signal.

Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical.

Abstract: Systems and method for annotating variants within a genome can call variants from reads or receive called variants directly and associate the called variants with functional annotations and interpretive annotations. A summary report of the called variants, the associated functional annotations, and the associated interpretive annotations can be generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to the quality control of Staphylococcus aureus testing using nucleic acid amplification-based detection assays. A Staphylococcus aureus control containing a quantified amount of the microorganism with high reproducibility across vials and which is used to calibrate, validate, or verify the performance of an MRSA detection assay and methods to test patient samples together with a control. Disclosed are specific Staphylococcus aureus strains that have a phenotype demonstrating reduced aggregation and increased consistency by Real-Time PCR compared to current Staphylococcus aureus strains used as external controls. Also disclosed is a process for increasing the reproducibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains that do not exhibit a non-aggregating phenotype.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for multiplex PCR of one or more nucleic acids present in a sample. In particular, various target-specific primers are provided that allow for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences. In one aspect, the invention relates to target-specific primers useful for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences associated with cancer or inherited disease. In some aspects, amplified target sequences obtained using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including nucleic acid sequencing and used to detect the presence of genetic variants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for determining copy number variation of one or more nucleic acids present in a sample. In some aspects, the method includes various target-specific primers that allow for the selective amplification of one or more target nucleic acids in the sample. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to determining copy number variation with respect to gene or chromosome representation of a nucleic acid in the sample. In some aspects, the method for determining copy number variation of different target nucleic acids in a sample using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including diagnosis, predictive therapeutic regimes or other therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer particles which are formed by contacting monomers with aqueous dispersions comprising monodisperse swellable seed polymers/oligomers, and initiating polymerization in the presence of a steric stabilizer. The resulting swollen seed particles are characterized by the particle mode diameter.