Abstract: A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to systems, compositions, and methods for treating a microarray. The compositions include a superwetting agent. The methods include contacting the microarray with an aqueous mixture including the superwetting agent after a hybridization step. Kits for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for quantifying and correcting spatial-intensity trends for each channel of a microarray data set having one or more channels. The method and system of one embodiment of the present invention selects a set of features from each channel of the microarray data set. Based on the selected set of features, a surface is used to determine the intensities for all features in each channel of the microarray data set. Spatial-intensity trends within the microarray data set are quantified, based on the surface to the intensities for each channel of the microarray data set. After the surface has been determined, the spatial-intensity trend can be removed from the microarray data set.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a sequence of a nucleic acid that is suitable for use as a surface immobilized probe for two or more mRNA transcripts encoded by the same gene are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a consensus region for the two or more transcripts is first identified, and this identified consensus region is then employed to identify the suitable nucleic acid sequence, e.g., by using a probe design protocol. The subject invention also includes algorithms for performing the subject methods recorded on a computer readable medium, as well as computational analysis systems that include the same. Also provided are nucleic acid arrays produced with probes having sequences identified by the subject methods, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: A polynucleotide array, and methods of making and using such arrays. The array may include a first set of multiple features each of which has first polynucleotide molecules of at least 400 nucleotides in length, and a second set of features each of which has second polynucleotide molecules of no more than 100 nucleotides in length. The second set of features can be used as control features, or to replace failed sequences in an enzymatic amplification to produce first polynucleotides, or to detect polymorphisms or splice variants which may not be detected by a particular first polynucleotide.

Abstract: A buffer composition, method and kit for hybridizing microarrays of nucleic acids bound to an adsorbed polymer surface of a siliceous substrate provide an envelope of conditions to hybridize nucleic acid targets, while preserving theintactness of the adsorbed polymer surface of the array. The buffer composition comprises a non-chelating buffering agent, a pH within a range of pH 6.4 and 7.5, a monovalent cation having a monovalent cation concentration that ranges from about 0.01 M to about 2.0 M, and optionally relatively lower concentrations of a chelating agent and an ionic surfactant. The total cation concentration of the buffer composition ranges from about 0.02 M to about 2.0 M. The method comprises incubating the targets with the microarray in the buffer composition at a temperature between about 55° C. and 70° C.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a sequence of a nucleic acid that is suitable for use as a surface immobilized probe for two or more mRNA transcripts encoded by the same gene are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a consensus region for the two or more transcripts is first identified, and this identified consensus region is then employed to identify the suitable nucleic acid sequence, e.g., by using a probe design protocol. The subject invention also includes algorithms for performing the subject methods recorded on a computer readable medium, as well as computational analysis systems that include the same. Also provided are nucleic acid arrays produced with probes having sequences identified by the subject methods, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a sequence of a probe, e.g., a biopolymeric probe, such as a nucleic acid, that is suitable for use as a surface immobilized probe for a target molecule of interest, e.g., a target nucleic acid, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that a set of computationally determined initial candidate sequences are empirically evaluated to obtain functional data that is then employed to identify one or more clusters of candidate probe sequences from the initial set such that all candidate probe sequences within each identified cluster exhibitsubstantially the same performance under a plurality of different experiments, specifically a plurality of differential gene expression experiments. A candidate probe from the cluster that exhibits the best performance across the plurality of experimental sets is then selected as the optimum candidate probe, e.g., based on one or more performance metrics.

Abstract: Array coverslip devices and methods of using the same are provided. The subject coverslip devices are characterized by having an array coverslip and at least one wall structure having at least one orifice therein on a planar surface of the coverslip. In certain embodiments, more than one wall structure is present. The wall structures may be flexible or rigid. The subject methods include joining an array coverslip having at least one wall structure having at least one orifice on a planar surface of the coverslip with a ligand array, performing an array assay using the coverslip joined with the ligand array, and reading the ligand array to obtain a result. Also provided are systems and kits for use in the subject methods.

Abstract: A buffer composition, method and kit for hybridizing microarrays of nucleic acids bound to an adsorbed polymer surface of a siliceous substrate provide an envelope of conditions to hybridize nucleic acid targets, while preserving the intactness of the adsorbed polymer surface of the array. The buffer composition comprises a non-chelating buffering agent, a pH within a range of pH 6.4 and 7.5, a monovalent cation having a monovalent cation concentration that ranges from about 0.01 M to about 2.0 M, and optionally relatively lower concentrations of a chelating agent and an ionic surfactant. The total cation concentration of the buffer composition ranges from about 0.02 M to about 2.0 M. The method comprises incubating the targets with the microarray in the buffer composition at a temperature between about 55° C. and 70° C.

Abstract: A polynucleotide array, and methods of making and using such arrays. The array may include a first set of multiple features each of which has first polynucleotide molecules of at least 400 nucleotides in length, and a second set of features each of which has second polynucleotide molecules of no more than 100 nucleotides in length. The second set of features can be used as control features, or to replace failed sequences in an enzymatic amplification to produce first polynucleotides, or to detect polymorphisms or splice variants which may not be detected by a particular first polynucleotide.