Abstract: A tool for measuring dimensions of disc brake components has an elongated first member. The elongated first member has a first tip extending transversely from the first member. The first tip has a first projection at an end portion of the first tip. An elongated second member is relatively movable to first member. The second member has a second tip extending transversely from the second member in the same direction as the first tip of the first member. The second tip has a second projection at an end portion of the second tip and extends in a direction towards the first projection. First indicia are provided on the first and second members to indicate the relative distance between the first and second projections when measuring an object located between the first and second projections.

Abstract: Provided herein is a circular proximity ligation assay in which proximity-probes are employed as bridges to connect two free oligonucleotides via a dual ligation event, resulting in the formation of a circle. The circles are then quantified by, e.g., qPCR. The addition of an extra oligonucleotide is believed to enhance specificity by decreasing the probability of random background ligation events. In addition, circle formation may have selective advantages, as uncircularized DNA can be removed by a simple exonuclease treatment and it has streamlined the workflow by eliminating preamplification prior to qPCR.

Abstract: Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct detection of chemical reactions are provided. Electric charge perturbations of the local environment during enzyme-catalyzed reactions are sensed by an electrode system with an immobilized target molecule. The charge perturbation caused by the polymerase reaction can uniquely identify a DNA sequence. The polymerization process generates local perturbations of charge in the solution near the electrode surface and induces a charge in a polarazible gold electrode. This event is detected as a transient current by a voltage clamp amplifier. Detection of single nucleotides in a sequence can be determined by dispensing individual dNTPs to the electrode solution and detecting the charge perturbations. Alternatively, multiple bases can be determined at the same time using a mix of all dNTPs with subsequent analysis of the resulting signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for levitating populations of moieties, cells, or other such units using one or more magnets in a microfluidic environment are provided. These systems and methods may be used to, for example, separate or sort heterogeneous populations of the units from one another, to assembly a multi-unit assembly during the levitating of the units, and to evaluate samples at the point of care in real-time. These systems and methods may also utilize a frame that enables an imaging device, such as a smartphone, to capture the units in real time as they are manipulated in the system.

Abstract: A wearable sensing platform includes sensors and circuits to sense aspects of a user's state by analyzing bodily fluids, such as sweat and/or urine, and a user's temperature. A sensor array senses a plurality of different body fluid analytes, optionally at the same time. A signal conditioner is coupled to the sensor array. The signal conditioner conditions sensor signals. An interface is configured to transmit information corresponding to the conditioned sensor signals to a remote computing device. The wearable sensing platform may include a flexible printed circuit board to enable the wearable sensing platform, or a portion thereof, to conform to a portion of the user's body.

Abstract: Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.

Abstract: A device for on-demand sweat extraction and analysis is realized as a printed circuit comprising a microcontroller, an iontophoresis circuit, a sensing circuit, and an electrode array having iontophoresis electrodes for sweat induction and sensing electrodes connected for sweat sensing. The sensing electrodes are positioned between the iontophoresis electrodes. The iontophoresis electrodes are preferably crescent-shaped and comprise a layer of agonist agent hydrogel loaded with sweat stimulating compounds. The iontophoresis circuit has a programmable current source for iontophoresis current delivery, and the sensing circuit includes two signal conditioning paths, where each of the paths includes an analog front-end to amplify a sensed signal and a low-pass filter to minimize high frequency noise and electromagnetic interference. The iontophoresis circuit and the sensing circuit are electrically decoupled for independent functionality.

Abstract: A tool for measuring dimensions of disc brake components has an elongated first member. The elongated first member has a first tip extending transversely from the first member. The first tip has a first projection at an end portion of the first tip. An elongated second member is relatively movable to first member. The second member has a second tip extending transversely from the second member in the same direction as the first tip of the first member. The second tip has a second projection at an end portion of the second tip and extends in a direction towards the first projection. First indicia are provided on the first and second members to indicate the relative distance between the first and second projections when measuring an object located between the first and second projections.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor including a pore and an applied electric field that is capable of detecting analytes such as nucleic acids. In accordance with various embodiments, the sensor comprises a fluidic chamber having electrically opposing portions with a membrane between, the membrane providing a pore suitable for the passage of an electrolyte between the electrically opposing portions of the fluidic chamber, and having at least one charged analyte tethered in proximity to the pore, a first circuit configured to apply an electric field capable of passing the electrolyte through the pore and pulling the at least one charged analyte into the pore, and a second circuit configured to measure a signal indicative of the charge of the at least one charged analyte. Also provided are methods for using the sensor, for example, to sequence a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel biosensor, the metal-insulator transition (MIT) point biosensor, a non-expensive miniaturized device, having a small footprint and high sensitivity, which can measure molecular interactions or the presence of small amounts of molecules without the need for the molecules to be labeled. The sensor comprises a vanadium dioxide (V02) layer located between two metal measuring pads. The introduction of molecules of interest to the sensor surface results in changes in the oxide interface charge density that can be detected by a shift in the metal oxide transition point and differences in the amount of current passing through the oxide. The MIT biosensor is useful for the detection of charged molecules, including macromolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids as well as other types of particles, such as cells, bacteria, or viruses.

Abstract: Magnetic cell levitation and cell monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. A method for separating a heterogeneous population of cells is performed by placing a microcapillary channel containing the heterogeneous population of cells in a magnetically-responsive medium in the disclosed levitation system and separating the cells by balancing magnetic and corrected gravitational forces on the individual cells. A levitation system is also disclosed, having a microscope on which the microcapillary channel is placed and a set of two magnets between which the microcapillary channel is placed. Additionally, a method for monitoring cellular processes in real-time using the levitation system is disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the presence of one or more analytes, such as biomolecules (FIG. 2). An analyte detection device includes at least two conductive structures disposed between three insulating structures and a gap exists in the structures that defines a channel such that at least four electrodes capable of measuring an electrical property are present in the channel. Methods for improving analyte detector performance through low-salt buffer washes also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are specific binding molecules (e.g. antibodies) that are provided in a set of conjugates, where each conjugate comprises an antibody linked to an oligonucleotide (oligo), such as a DNA oligonucleotide. The antibodies in each set are to the same target antigen. One antibody is preferably immobilized so that it remains in the sample reaction after a wash step. One antibody is used for detection since it will remain in the sample after washing only if there is a specific antibody-target antigen. The oligos in a given set hybridize to each other when both antibodies bind to a target with immuno-specificity. However, if the binding is not immune specific, such as in the case of cross-reactivity, the oligos do not hybridize.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct detection of chemical reactions are provided. Electric charge perturbations of the local environment during enzyme-catalyzed reactions are sensed by an electrode system with an immobilized target molecule. The charge perturbation caused by the polymerase reaction can uniquely identify a DNA sequence. The polymerization process generates local perturbations of charge in the solution near the electrode surface and induces a charge in a polarazible gold electrode. This event is detected as a transient current by a voltage clamp amplifier. Detection of single nucleotides in a sequence can be determined by dispensing individual dNTPs to the electrode solution and detecting the charge perturbations. Alternatively, multiple bases can be determined at the same time using a mix of all dNTPs with subsequent analysis of the resulting signal.

Abstract: A novel method for preparing sequence-verified oligonucleotides is disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to a simple, affordable, and scalable method that combines high-throughput mating of yeast clones, a unique selectable system for combining DNA sequences in yeast, and next-generation sequencing. This method allows sequence-verified oligonucleotides to be readily isolated from complex libraries.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample.