Abstract: An example of a flow cell includes a substrate, which includes nano-depressions defined in a surface of the substrate, and interstitial regions separating the nano-depressions. A hydrophobic material layer has a surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the interstitial regions and is positioned to define a hydrophobic barrier around respective sub-sets of the nano-depressions.

Abstract: Cartridges and related systems and methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, a method includes securing a sample container in a sample container receptacle of a cartridge using a sample container lock and coupling the cartridge to a cartridge receptacle of a system. The method also includes depositing a sample from the sample container within a sample well of the cartridge and determining a presence of a target molecule within the sample using the system. In response to the target molecule being present within the sample, the method includes releasing the sample container lock of the cartridge to allow the sample container to be removed from the sample container receptacle and for the cartridge to remain coupled to the system.

Abstract: A labeled nucleotide includes a nucleotide, a linking molecule attached to a phosphate group of the nucleotide, and a redox-active charge tag attached to the linking molecule. The redox-active charge tag is to be oxidized or reduced by an electrically conductive channel when maintained in proximity of a sensing zone of the electrically conductive channel.

Abstract: An example of a flow cell includes a substrate, which includes nano-depressions defined in a surface of the substrate, and interstitial regions separating the nano-depressions. A hydrophobic material layer has a surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the interstitial regions and is positioned to define a hydrophobic barrier around respective sub-sets of the nano-depressions.

Abstract: An example of a flow cell includes a substrate, which includes nano-depressions defined in a surface of the substrate, and interstitial regions separating the nano-depressions. A hydrophobic material layer has a surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the interstitial regions and is positioned to define a hydrophobic barrier around respective sub-sets of the nano-depressions.

Abstract: An example of a flow cell includes a substrate, which includes nano-depressions defined in a surface of the substrate, and interstitial regions separating the nano-depressions. A hydrophobic material layer has a surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the interstitial regions and is positioned to define a hydrophobic barrier around respective sub-sets of the nano-depressions.

Abstract: A method for reducing sequencing by synthesis cycle time using a microfluidic device is provided. The microfluidic device comprises a flow cell having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow channel extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the flow channel receives an analyte of interest and one or more reagents for analyzing and detecting molecules. To aid in the acceleration of the reactions, the microfluidic device comprises a mixing device to increase the rates of diffusion of the reagents from the fluid bulk to an active surface of the flow cell. The mixing device comprises at least one of an electrothermal mixing device, an active mechanical mixing device, and a vibrational mixing device.

Abstract: An example of a flow cell includes a substrate, which includes nano-depressions defined in a surface of the substrate, and interstitial regions separating the nano-depressions. A hydrophobic material layer has a surface that is at least substantially co-planar with the interstitial regions and is positioned to define a hydrophobic barrier around respective sub-sets of the nano-depressions.

Abstract: A labeled nucleotide includes a nucleotide, a linking molecule attached to a phosphate group of the nucleotide, and a redox-active charge tag attached to the linking molecule. The redox-active charge tag is to be oxidized or reduced by an electrically conductive channel when maintained in proximity of a sensing zone of the electrically conductive channel.

Abstract: A composition comprising(a) a transparent support(b) which is coated on at least one side with a transparent coating which comprises(b1) a plasticizer-free, hydrophobic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg of from -150 to 50.degree. C.,(b2) counterions in the form of lipophilic salts,(b3) an ionophore which forms a complex with the ion to be determined, and(b4) a compound of the formula I or II as fluorophore ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 and R.sub.6 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl-CO--, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.5 are H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in the alkyl groups is at least 5, or a salt thereof with an inorganic or organic acid. The composition is highly suitable for the qualitative or quantitative optical determination of ions by fluorescence detection.

Abstract: A method for the independent, reversible, optical determination of the pH value and the ionic strength of an aqueous sample with the aid of two different sensors in accordance with the fluorescence method, in which method two optical sensors, which are each composed of polymers of different structure but each contain the same fluorescent dye and which each consist of a coated material composed ofa) a carrier material, to which there is appliedb) at least one water-insoluble layer of a polymer comprising at least one hydrophilic monomer (A) from the group of substituted olefins, andc) a proton-sensitive fluorescent dye which is bonded directly or via a bridge group to the spine of polymer b) or which is incorporated in polymer b),are brought into contact with an aqueous test sample, irradiated with exciting light, the fluorescence is measured and the pH values and the ionic strengths are calculated from the measured fluorescence intensities with reference to calibration curves.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions containing at least one olefinic monomer, at least one polymer prepared form an olefinic monomer, an indicator dye to the basic structure of which an olefinic polymerisable group is covalently bonded directly or via a bridge group, at least one diolefinic cross-linking agent, and an effective amount of a polymerisation initiator; to polymerisates of the compositions, the polymerisates being in the form of interpenetrating networks; to membranes and unsupported films prepared from the polymerisates; to carrier materials coated with the compositions and polymerisates; to optical sensors prepared from the polymerisates; and to methods of determining ions and/or gases in solutions and/or blood.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.