Abstract: A system for performing biological reactions is provided. The system includes a chip including a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites. The plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter. Further, the system includes a control system configured to initiate biological reactions within the liquid samples. The system further includes a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip. According to various embodiments, the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. In other embodiments, the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A system for performing biological reactions is provided. The system includes a chip including a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites. The plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter. Further, the system includes a control system configured to initiate biological reactions within the liquid samples. The system further includes a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip. According to various embodiments, the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. In other embodiments, the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Abstract: A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Abstract: A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Abstract: A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A sample loader for loading a liquid sample into a plurality of reaction sites within a substrate is provided. The sample loader includes a first blade, and a second blade coupled to the first blade. The sample loader further comprises a flow path between the first blade and second blade configured to dispense a liquid sample to a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites. Further, in various embodiments the liquid sample has an advancing contact angle of 85+/?15 degrees with the first and second blade. Furthermore, loading of the liquid sample dispensed from the flow path to the plurality of reaction sites may be based on capillary action.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A system for performing biological reactions is provided. The system includes a chip including a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites. The plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter. Further, the system includes a control system configured to initiate biological reactions within the liquid samples. The system further includes a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip. According to various embodiments, the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. In other embodiments, the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites.

Abstract: A method of aligning a plurality of targets is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of targets. A third phase includes the plurality of targets. The method further includes combining a first phase, a second phase, and the third phase in a volume. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are substantially immiscible, and the third phase is in fluid communication with the first phase and the second phase, and the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are operable to be in a configuration of the third phase between the first phase and the second phase in the volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of discrete sample portions. Each of the plurality of discrete sample portions comprising a portion of the sample, and a reaction mixture. The method further includes amplifying the plurality of discrete sample portions to form a plurality of discrete processed sample portions. At least one discrete processed sample portion containing nucleic acid amplification reaction products. Fluorescence signals are detected from the at least one of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions to determine a presence of the at least one target nucleic acid. The method also includes determining the respective volumes of the plurality of the plurality of discrete processed sample portions, and estimating the number of copies-per-unit-volume of the at least one target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: A system for performing biological reactions is provided. The system includes a chip including a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites. The plurality of reaction sites are each configured to include a liquid sample of at most one nanoliter. Further, the system includes a control system configured to initiate biological reactions within the liquid samples. The system further includes a detection system configured to detect biological reactions on the chip. According to various embodiments, the chip includes at least 20000 reaction sites. In other embodiments, the chip includes at least 30000 reaction sites.

Abstract: A sample loader for loading a liquid sample into a plurality of reaction sites within a substrate is provided. The sample loader includes a first blade, and a second blade coupled to the first blade. The sample loader further comprises a flow path between the first blade and second blade configured to dispense a liquid sample to a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites. Further, in various embodiments the liquid sample has an advancing contact angle of 85+/?15 degrees with the first and second blade. Furthermore, loading of the liquid sample dispensed from the flow path to the plurality of reaction sites may be based on capillary action.

Abstract: An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.