Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for collecting, stabilizing and further processing samples, including biological samples such as blood. The invention allows a measurable volume of blood to be introduced into a container, dried by a desiccant in the same or a contacting container, and finally recovered and further processed in a format compatible with a robotic sample processing system. The invention allows collection and processing of larger amounts of blood (20-100 ?l or more) than are conveniently recovered and processed using conventional dried blood spots on filter paper, and to do so under the control of a mobile device such as a smartphone.

Abstract: Methods are provided for estimating the relative amounts of identifiable compartments, such as different types of cells or cell components, within a biological sample. The methods use mass spectrometric analysis to quantitate compartment-specific molecules and thereby allow calculation of the amount of each compartment that is present in a biological sample. The methods can, for example, provide a measurement of hematocrit from a dried blood sample.

Abstract: Methods for interpretation of mass spectrometric tests for clinical biomarkers in which the amounts of internal standards are set to equal clinical evaluation thresholds, and preparations for adding stable isotope labeled peptide species to sample digests while minimizing losses and alterations in peptide stoichiometry.

Abstract: Methods are provided for estimating the relative amounts of identifiable compartments, such as different types of cells or cell components, within a biological sample. The methods use mass spectrometric analysis to quantitate compartment-specific molecules and thereby allow calculation of the amount of each compartment that is present in a biological sample. The methods can, for example, provide a measurement of hematocrit from a dried blood sample.

Abstract: Methods are provided for estimating the relative amounts of identifiable compartments, such as different types of cells or cell components, within a biological sample. The methods use mass spectrometric analysis in quantitate compartment-specific molecules and thereby allow calculation of the amount of each compartment that is present in a biological sample. The methods can, for example, provide a measurement of hematocrit from a dried blood sample.

Abstract: Methods for interpretation of mass spectrometric tests for clinical biomarkers in which the amounts of internal standards are set to equal clinical evaluation thresholds, and preparations for adding stable isotope labeled peptide species to sample digests while minimizing losses and alterations in peptide stoichiometry.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an economical flow-through method for determining amount of target proteins in a sample. An antibody preparation (whether polyclonal or monoclonal, or any equivalent specific binding agent) is used to capture and thus enrich a specific monitor peptide (a specific peptide fragment of a protein to be quantitated in a proteolytic digest of a complex protein sample) and an internal standard peptide (the same chemical structure but including stable isotope labels). Upon elution into a suitable mass spectrometer, the natural (sample derived) and internal standard (isotope labeled) peptides are quantitated, and their measured abundance ratio used to calculate the abundance of the monitor peptide, and its parent protein, in the initial sample.

Abstract: Methods are provided for estimating the relative amounts of identifiable compartments, such as different types of cells or cell components, within a biological sample. The methods use mass spectrometric analysis in quantitate compartment-specific molecules and thereby allow calculation of the amount of each compartment that is present in a biological sample. The methods can, for example, provide a measurement of hematocrit from a dried blood sample.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an economical flow-through method for determining amount of target proteins in a sample. An antibody preparation (whether polyclonal or monoclonal, or any equivalent specific binding agent) is used to capture and thus enrich a specific monitor peptide (a specific peptide fragment of a protein to be quantitated in a proteolytic digest of a complex protein sample) and an internal standard peptide (the same chemical structure but including stable isotope labels). Upon elution into a suitable mass spectrometer, the natural (sample derived) and internal standard (isotope labeled) peptides are quantitated, and their measured abundance ratio used to calculate the abundance of the monitor peptide, and its parent protein, in the initial sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the rapid and efficient denaturation and degradation of protein samples. The compositions and methods produce samples that can readily be analyzed by, for example, mass spectrometry. Unwanted dilution of the sample is avoided and the samples and methods are amenable for use with robotic laboratory sample handling instruments. The compositions and methods surprisingly provide significantly improved reproducibility and accuracy of the resulting mass spectrometric analyses.

Abstract: Removal of abundant proteins from a sample enhances detection and resolution of less abundant proteins in the sample such as in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The removal is accomplished by immunosubtraction of several high abundance, interfering or contaminating proteins simultaneously.

Abstract: Removal of abundant proteins from a sample enhances detection and resolution of less abundant proteins in the sample such as in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The removal is accomplished by immunosubtraction of several high abundance, interfering or contaminating proteins simultaneously.

Abstract: A device and method for capture of magnetic beads in a rotary magnetic bead trap is disclosed. The device allows capture, washing, elution and ejection of beads in an automated system. Analyte is eluted in a small volume in a capillary-scale fluid system compatible with LC-MS/MS analysis.

Abstract: Microarrays are prepared by using a separate fiber for each compound being used in the microarray. The fibers are bundled and sectioned to form a thin microarray that may be glued to a backing.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: An automated, computer controlled assembly is provided for continuously processing a large number of electrophoresis gels. The assembly includes a loading assembly for loading a gel onto a carrier, a gel staining assembly and a scanning and cutting assembly. The staining assembly and the scanning and cutting assembly each include a robotic arm that is able to capture a gel and transfer the gel to selected work stations and can transfer the gel between the respective robotic arms.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.