Abstract: A method of selecting nucleic acid samples including particular desired alleles from a plurality of nucleic acid samples including the steps of performing a first reaction in a plurality of pools containing the samples to produce reaction products including a source tag identifying said each pool; pooling the pools to provide pooled pools; for each of the desired alleles to be identified, performing a second reaction using said reaction products to produce allele-specific second reaction products comprising a marker tag and a derived source tag; identifying said allele-specific second reaction products, and further identifying nucleic acid samples with the desired alleles. A source tag sharing number “d” may be determined for each of the alleles. Alleles may also be binned together.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and processes for the identification of polymorphisms at one ore more designated sites, without interference from non-designated sites located within proximity of such designated sites. Probes are provided capable of interrogation of such designated sites in order to determine the composition of each such designated site. By the methods of this invention, one ore more mutations within the CFTR gene and the HLA gene complex can be identified.

Abstract: A method of identifying alleles of polymorphic sites in a plurality of nucleic acid samples including the steps of determining a source tag sharing number “d” for each of the alleles; performing a first reaction in a plurality of pools of the alleles to be identified to produce reaction products including a source tag identifying said each pool; pooling the pools to provide pooled pools; for each of the alleles to be identified, performing a second reaction using said reaction products to produce allele-specific second reaction products comprising a marker tag and a derived source tag; identifying said allele-specific second reaction products to identify the alleles. If “d” is equal to or larger than a maximum pool size, the first reaction may not be performed. Alleles may be binned together. A microparticle comprising one or more capture probes each comprising an oligonucleotide complementary to a subsequence of a target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registry for candidate transfusion donors, which invokes an inventory management policy to create and actively manage lists of candidate donors in order to minimize imbalances between demand and supply across multiple regions and across multiple categories of donors and recipients. Together with a genotyping laboratory, the registry does targeted recruitment of prospective donors who are typed for a set of genetic markers relating to clinically relevant antigens including mutations of Human Erythrocyte Antigens (HEA), genetic variants of Rh, and possibly additional antigens such as HLA and HPA. The registry monitors incoming demand for transfusion antigen genotypes, preferably stratify the demand into a set of categories representing stable subpopulations, and will apply strategies, disclosed herein, to tune the composition of candidate donor lists to match the demand, thereby avoiding excess, and unnecessary, typing of candidate donors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided the autocentering, autofocusing, acquiring, decoding, aligning, analyzing and exchanging among various parties, images, where the images are of arrays of signals associated with ligand-receptor interactions, and more particularly, ligand-receptor interactions where a multitude of receptors are associated with microparticles or microbeads. The beads are encoded to indicate the identity of the receptor attached, and therefore, an assay image and decoding image are aligned to effect the decoding. The images or data extracted from such images can be exchanged between de-centralized assay locations and a centralized location where the data are analyzed to indicate assay results. Access to data can be restricted to authorized parties in possession of certain encoding information, so as to preserve confidentiality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer-bead composites having a single layer planar, crystalline assembly of encoded beads embedded in a hydrophilic polymeric matrix. The composite may be unattached to a solid support. The encoded beads have different biomolecules attached to their surfaces, and the encoding permits distinguishing beads having different biomolecules attached thereto. The present invention also relates to a systematic process for the creation of functionally organized, spatially patterned assemblies of polymer-microparticle composites, including the AC electric field-mediated assembly of patterned, self-supporting organic (polymeric) films and organic-polymer-microparticle composites of tailored composition and morphology. The present invention also relates to the application of such functional assemblies in materials science and biology.

Abstract: A method of identifying alleles of polymorphic sites in a plurality of nucleic acid samples including the steps of determining a source tag sharing number “d” for each of the alleles; performing a first reaction in a plurality of pools of the alleles to be identified to produce reaction products including a source tag identifying said each pool; pooling the pools to provide pooled pools; for each of the alleles to be identified, performing a second reaction using said reaction products to produce allele-specific second reaction products comprising a marker tag and a derived source tag; identifying said allele-specific second reaction products to identify the alleles. If “d” is equal to or larger than a maximum pool size, the first reaction may not be performed. Alleles may be binned together. A microparticle comprising one or more capture probes each comprising an oligonucleotide complementary to a subsequence of a target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of multiplexed analysis of oligonucleotides in a sample, including a method of preventing a significant reduction in duplexes detectable in a hybridization assay involving (i) selecting probe lengths for sets of oligonucleotide probes, wherein probes include different subsequences such that at least one subsequence is complementary to a subsequence in a cognate target; wherein probes for longer cognate targets are longer in length than probes for shorter cognate targets, (ii) selecting, for each set of probes, a density of oligonucleotides probes attached per unit area on a solid phase carrier which is below a limit at which the significant reduction in detectable duplexes is predicated to take place, (iii) producing the probes and affixing them to different solid phase carriers at the selected density, and (iv) annealing targets to the probes, wherein signal intensities of probes and targets of different lengths are about the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relics on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations.

Abstract: Solute-loaded polymer microparticles are obtained by immersing microparticles in a bath comprising a selected solute dissolved in a ternary solvent system. A first solvent of the ternary system is a strong solvent for both the solute and the polymer from which the microparticle was formed. A second solvent is a weak solvent or non-solvent for the solute and the polymer (tuning solvent). A third solvent is a weak solvent or non-solvent for the solute and polymer, but serves as a co-solvent with respect to the first and second solvents in that it is miscible with both the first and second solvents. The amount of solute incorporated into the microparticles is controlled by adjusting the ratio of solute with respect to the microparticle polymer, and by adjusting the composition of the ternary solvent system, principally the amount of tuning solvent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided the autocentering, autofocusing, acquiring, decoding, aligning, analyzing and exchanging among various parties, images, where the images are of arrays of signals associated with ligand-receptor interactions, and more particularly, ligand-receptor interactions where a multitude of receptors are associated with microparticles or microbeads. The beads are encoded to indicate the identity of the receptor attached, and therefore, an assay image and a decoding image are aligned to effect the decoding. The images or data extracted from such images can be exchanged between de-centralized assay locations and a centralized location where the data are analyzed to indicate assay results. Access to data can be restricted to authorized parties in possession of certain coding information, so as to preserve confidentiality.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and algorithms (and their implementation) supporting the automated analysis and interactive review and refinement (“redaction”) of the analysis within an integrated software environment, for automated allele assignments. The implementation, preferably with a software system and a program referred to as the Automated Allele Assignment (“AAA”) program, provides a multiplicity of functionalities including: data management by way of an integrated interface to a portable database to permit visualizing, importing, exporting and creating customizable summary reports; system configuration (“Set-up”) including user authorization, training set analysis and probe masking; Pattern Analysis including string matching and probe flipping; and Interactive Redaction combining real-time database computations and “cut-and-paste” editing, generating “warning” statements and supporting annotation.

Abstract: A method of selecting nucleic acid samples including particular desired alleles from a plurality of nucleic acid samples including the steps of performing a first reaction in a plurality of pools containing the samples to produce reaction products including a source tag identifying said each pool; pooling the pools to provide pooled pools; for each of the desired alleles to be identified, performing a second reaction using said reaction products to produce allele-specific second reaction products comprising a marker tag and a derived source tag; identifying said allele-specific second reaction products, and further identifying nucleic acid samples with the desired alleles. A source tag sharing number “d” may be determined for each of the alleles. Alleles may also be binned together.

Abstract: A method of selecting nucleic acid samples including particular desired alleles from a plurality of nucleic acid samples including the steps of performing a first reaction in a plurality of pools containing the samples to produce reaction products including a source tag identifying said each pool; pooling the pools to provide pooled pools; for each of the desired alleles to be identified, performing a second reaction using said reaction products to produce allele-specific second reaction products comprising a marker tag and a derived source tag; identifying said allele-specific second reaction products, and further identifying nucleic acid samples with the desired alleles. A source tag sharing number “d” may be determined for each of the alleles. Alleles may also be binned together.

Abstract: Genetic information relating to clinically significant attributes are generated as encrypted molecular signatures, which are provided to a subscriber to be carried as a card or in another form, including for display by a subscriber's computer or smart-phone or PDA. Different features of an individual's molecular attribute profile are preferably each represented by a particular shape, and the encryption can be by changing the color, or spatial orientation of the shapes. The signature is periodically updated as new clinically significant attributes become known. The process of updating the signature and using it to obtain suitable products (which don't have an unacceptable risk of generating an adverse reaction or outcome) is also described.

Abstract: Methods and algorithms for automated allele assignments within an integrated software environment are provided. These methods and algorithms offer a multiplicity of functionalities including: data management; system configuration including user authorization, training set analysis and probe masking; pattern analysis including string matching and probe flipping; and interactive redaction of data. The methods and algorithms further include methods of setting thresholds, refining thresholds, and probe masking of signals produced by probes which do not contribute significantly to discriminating among alleles.

Abstract: A method of identifying attributes in a plurality of biological samples including the steps of determining a source tag sharing number “d” for each of the attributes; providing a plurality of pools for the source tag sharing number “d” wherein each pool comprising a pooled subset of biological samples; for each pool of the plurality of pools, producing at least one pooled pool comprising attribute-specific reaction products comprising a marker tag that uniquely identifies an attribute and a source tag identifying said pool; and identifying said attribute-specific reaction products to identify the attributes. If “d” is equal to or larger than a maximum pool size, the reaction products may not comprise a source tag identifying each pool. Attributes may be binned together.

Abstract: Genetic information relating to clinically significant attributes are generated as unique molecular signatures, which are provided to a subscriber to be carried as a card or in another form, including for display by a subscriber's computer or smart-phone or PDA. The signature is periodically updated as new clinically significant attributes become known. The process of updating the signature and using it to obtain suitable products (which don't have an unacceptable risk of generating an adverse reaction or outcome) is also described.

Abstract: Genetic information relating to clinically significant attributes are generated as encrypted molecular signatures, which are provided to a subscriber to be carried as a card or in another form, including for display by a subscriber's computer or smart-phone or PDA. Different features of an individual's molecular attribute profile are preferably each represented by a particular shape, and the encryption can be by changing the color, or spatial orientation of the shapes. The signature is periodically updated as new clinically significant attributes become known. The process of updating the signature and using it to obtain suitable products (which don't have an unacceptable risk of generating an adverse reaction or outcome) is also described.