Abstract: There is disclosed a system for electrical charge detection comprising a nanoFET device. Also disclosed is a method of electrical charge detection for single molecule sequencing. The method includes attaching a macromolecule or assemblies thereof to a gate of a nanoFET device and flowing in a solution of charge tags, where a charge tag includes a nucleotide attached to a charge complex. The method also includes incorporating one charge tag into the macromolecule or assemblies thereof and cleaving the charge tags from the macromolecule or assemblies thereof. The method further includes detecting at least one of current and voltage from the nanoFET device.

Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to resonant structure. The resonant structure includes a substrate and a nano-bowtie antenna deposited over the substrate. The resonant structure also includes an enclosure deposited over the substrate and surrounding the nano-bowtie antenna, where the enclosure is configured to raise an enhancement level in the nano-bowtie antenna.

Abstract: An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplification reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cytometric system that can include a first station capable of selectively sorting a nucleic acid sequence-containing biological material from a biological sample, and a second station where nucleic acid of the sorted nucleic acid sequence-containing biological material, can undergo a nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system can include a conduit system adapted to facilitate transfer of a sorted biological material or processed biological material from one region or station, to another. All of the stations can be controlled by a central control system. Methods of sorting a biological material from a biological sample, and methods of amplifying nucleic acid of a sorted nucleic acid sequence-containing material, are also provided.

Abstract: An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplifications reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an array of a plurality of features associated with a sample tile. The apparatus includes a stage that supports the sample tile in an illumination region, and an illumination source having a plurality of LEDs adapted to emit light. At least a portion of the light illuminates the illumination region. Additionally, the apparatus includes an image collecting device adapted to selectively collect images of a signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting analytes in a sample are provided. The apparatus can include: one or more channels having a detection zone; one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the detection zone with radiation; a detector capable of collecting at least one charge corresponding to an emission beam emitted from the detection zone, the detector having an output; and a time delay integration system coupled to the detector for effecting time delay integration of the at least one charge by accumulating the at least one charge before reading the at least one charge at the output of the detector. Various embodiments provide an apparatus with a multi-notch filter. Various embodiments provide a solid state laser, a micro-wire laser, or an organic light-emitting diode as a irradiation source.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: Systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.

Abstract: An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with excitation beams generated by a light source. The light source can include an area light array of light emitting diodes, one or more solid state lasers, one or more micro-wire lasers, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a Fresnel lens can be disposed along a beam bath between the light source and the reaction regions. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a diffusion-aided system for loading samples into the microfluidic device are provided. Methods of gas-venting a microfluidic device through a non-porous, gas permeable material sealing cover layer, for example, during liquid sample loading, are also provided. The non-porous, gas-permeable material can be, for example, a polysiloxane, for example, polydimethylsiloxane.

Abstract: Methods and optical systems for scanning of a target sample, including methods and systems using a low mass scan head. The present invention also relates to methods and systems for performing sample assays, and for producing and measuring optical responses and signatures.

Abstract: A device is provided that comprises one or more fluid retainment regions each having at least one wall, and one or more loops in heat-transfer communication with the at least one wall. Each of the loops can comprise an electrical conductor that surrounds the same or a different fluid retainment region. A device is provided that comprises one or more fluid retainment regions each having particulates disposed therein. A system is provided that includes a platen adapted to hold a device including fluid retainment regions and one or more electrical conductors in heat-transfer communication with the fluid retainment regions. Methods of heating a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.

Abstract: Methods for normalizing output from an instrument employing a reference standard or non-fluorescing substance disposed within at least one of a plurality of reaction chambers. The method comprises collecting and analyzing a signal associated with the reference standard or non-fluorescing substance to determine a normalizing bias. The normalizing bias is then applied to the data signal collected from a remainder of the plurality of reaction chambers.

Abstract: A device is provided that comprises one or more fluid retainment regions each having at least one wall, and one or more loops in heat-transfer communication with the at least one wall. Each of the loops can comprise an electrical conductor that surrounds the same or a different fluid retainment region. A device is provided that comprises one or more fluid retainment regions each having particulates disposed therein. A system is provided that includes a platen adapted to hold a device including fluid retainment regions and one or more electrical conductors in heat-transfer communication with the fluid retainment regions. Methods of heating a sample are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging system for collecting images of signals associated with a sample tile comprising a stage supporting the sample tile, a ring illuminator system emitting a uniform excitation energy upon an entirety of the sample tile causing at least a first signal to be generated from the sample tile, and an image collecting device collecting a first image of the first signal. The image collecting device further collecting a second image of a second signal emitted from the sample tile, wherein the second signal being different than the first signal.

Abstract: Method and system providing calibration of light detected from biological samples with a correction factor including components for each of a plurality of spectrally distinguishable species and/or for each well and/or for each filter.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing adjustments of various parameters associated with the operation of charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis devices. Gate voltage signal applied to the CCDs can be adjusted to advantageously affect the manner in which charge is transferred from pixels. The manner in which transferred charges from the pixels are processed in a readout process can also be adjusted to advantageously change the speed of the CCD based detector. Various methods of performing such adjustments are disclosed.