Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of heterogeneous analyte. In some embodiments, the systems and methods herein utilize an analyte holding portion that receives a volume of analyte. The analyte holding portion may include an analyte receiving portion and a microfluidic separation channel, A rotatable carrier holding the analyte holding portion may be rotated by a rotational actuator so as to apply a centrifugal force to the volume of analyte such that the analyte is separated into at least two components.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of heterogeneous analyte. In some embodiments, the systems and methods herein utilize an analyte holding portion that receives a volume of analyte. The analyte holding portion may include an analyte receiving portion and a microfluidic separation channel, A rotatable carrier holding the analyte holding portion may be rotated by a rotational actuator so as to apply a centrifugal force to the volume of analyte such that the analyte is separated into at least two components.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for methods and systems for sensing or imaging. The apparatus includes a stack of a plurality of thin films, such as polymer thin films. The stack has a substantially imaginary total reflectance coefficient.

Abstract: A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for methods and systems for sensing or imaging. The apparatus includes a stack of a plurality of thin films, such as polymer thin films. The stack has a substantially imaginary total reflectance coefficient.

Abstract: A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals.

Abstract: A planar array having plurality of biological recognition molecules including at least two types of biological recognition molecules distributed about a substrate is disclosed. A first type of biological recognition molecules is distributed according to a first frequency and a second type of biological recognition molecules is distributed according to a second frequency. Another planar array having a plurality of biological recognition molecules including at least two kinds of biological recognition molecules is disclosed. The recognition molecules are distributed about a substrate with first kind of biological recognition molecules distributed at a first height or depth relative to a surface of the substrate and a second kind of biological recognition molecules distributed at a second height or depth relative to the surface.

Abstract: A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals.

Abstract: A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals.

Abstract: A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing topology of a surface of a target. The apparatus includes an optical source for generating a probe laser beam. The apparatus also includes means for scanning the probe laser beam across at least a portion of the surface of the target. The apparatus further includes a beamsplitter for redirecting a return signal toward means for detecting the return signal in a substantially quadrature condition, the return signal resulting from reflection of the probe laser beam off the surface of the target. A quadrature interferometric method for determining the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method comprises generating a laser probe beam having a wavelength ? and a waist wo to probe at least a portion of a substrate having a reflecting surface that has been exposed to the sample.

Abstract: A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing topology of a surface of a target including an optical source for generating a probe laser beam. The apparatus also includes a means for scanning the probe laser beam across at least a portion of the surface of the target and a beamsplitter for redirecting a return signal toward the means for detecting the return signal in a substantially quadrature condition. A quadrature interferometric method for determining the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample comprising a laser probe beam having a wavelength ? and a waist wo to probe at least a portion of a substrate having a reflecting surface that includes at least a first region having a layer of recognition molecules specific to the target analyte and a second region that does not include a layer of recognition molecules specific to the target analyte.

Abstract: A method for extracting array elements from an image of an array, the array being contained within a well of a substrate is provided. The method comprises detecting coordinate locations of frequency spectrum peaks in the image by establishing local regions of the image, each local region containing a distinct frequency spectrum peak of the image; determining grid spacing and rotational characteristics of the image by analyzing the detected coordinate locations of the frequency spectrum peaks with a Fourier transform analysis; using the grid spacing and rotational characteristics of the image to generate a well template, the well template accounting for each array element's relative location within the well; and cross-correlating the generated well template with the image of the array to determine matched locations, the cross-correlated well template accounting for each array element's actual coordinate location within the well.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use with a probe beam and detector for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a sample. The apparatus includes a substrate; and a biolayer located on the substrate designed to react to target analyte when the sample is deposited on the biolayer. The substrate can be selected to substantially minimize reflectance by the substrate while substantially maintaining scattering by the target analyte. The substrate can be designed so waves reflected by the substrate are substantially in quadrature with waves scattered by target analyte; or so waves reflected by the substrate and scattered by target analyte interfere in the far field and directly create intensity modulation detectable by the detector. The biolayer can include a plurality of spots, and the spots can be grouped into unit cells having specific antibodies and non-specific antibodies for reacting with target analyte.

Abstract: A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set.

Abstract: A planar array having plurality of biological recognition molecules including at least two types of biological recognition molecules distributed about a substrate is disclosed. A first type of biological recognition molecules is distributed according to a first frequency and a second type of biological recognition molecules is distributed according to a second frequency. Another planar array having a plurality of biological recognition molecules including at least two kinds of biological recognition molecules is disclosed. The recognition molecules are distributed about a substrate with first kind of biological recognition molecules distributed at a first height or depth relative to a surface of the substrate and a second kind of biological recognition molecules distributed at a second height or depth relative to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing topology of a surface of a target. The apparatus includes an optical source for generating a probe laser beam. The apparatus also includes means for scanning the probe laser beam across at least a portion of the surface of the target. The apparatus further includes a beamsplitter for redirecting a return signal toward means for detecting the return signal in a substantially quadrature condition, the return signal resulting from reflection of the probe laser beam off the surface of the target. A quadrature interferometric method for determining the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method comprises generating a laser probe beam having a wavelength ? and a waist wo to probe at least a portion of a substrate having a reflecting surface that has been exposed to the sample.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate having a surface lying substantially in a first plane, a plurality of targets, each having a wall lying substantially in a second plane offset from the first plane, and a receptor coating applied to one of the surface and the target walls for binding analytes present in the biological sample when the biological sample is applied to the substrate. A laser beam is sequentially directed onto each of the plurality of target, the laser being positioned relative to the substrate such that when the beam is directed onto a target, a first half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the wall of the target and a second half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the surface of the substrate adjacent the target.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate having a surface lying substantially in a first plane, a plurality of targets, each having a wall lying substantially in a second plane offset from the first plane, and a receptor coating applied to one of the surface and the target walls for binding analytes present in the biological sample when the biological sample is applied to the substrate. A laser beam is sequentially directed onto each of the plurality of target, the laser being positioned relative to the substrate such that when the beam is directed onto a target, a first half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the wall of the target and a second half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the surface of the substrate adjacent the target.