Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for capturing, amplifying and identifying one or more of a plurality of target nucleotide sequences in a sample. The present invention is further directed to a device comprising a solid support having a plurality of wells or pillars and a plurality of oligonucleotides attached to the wells or pillars. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making such devices.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct photochemical modification and micro-patterning of polymer surfaces, without the need to use a photoresist. For example, micropatterns of various functional chemical groups, biomolecules, and metal films have been deposited on poly(carbonate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces. These patterns may be used, for example, in integrated electronics, capture elements, or sensing elements in micro-fluidic channels.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: Asymmetrically substituted metal-phthalocyanine compounds are disclosed. These compounds and other phthalocyanine-derivatives are used in bioimaging, bioanalysis, FRET and quenching techniques, photodynamic therapy, DNA analysis for cells, proteins, tissues and other biological entities, and other applications. Near-infrared fluorescence minimizes matrix effects typically seen in other methods of analyzing biochemical entities in cells, proteins, tissues and other biological entities.

Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating free-standing polymeric nanopillars or nanotubes with remarkably high aspect ratios. The nanopillars and nanotubes may be used, for example, in integrated microfluidic systems for rapid, automated, high-capacity analysis or separation of complex protein mixtures or their enzyme digest products. One embodiment, preferably fabricated entirely from polymer substrates, comprises a cell lysis unit; a solid-phase extraction unit with free-standing, polymeric nanostructures; a multi-dimensional electrophoretic separation unit with high peak capacity; a solid-phase nanoreactor for the proteolytic digestion of isolated proteins; and a chromatographic unit for the separation of peptide fragments from the digestion of proteins.

Abstract: Asymmetrically substituted metal-phthalocyanine compounds are disclosed. These compounds and other phthalo-cyanine-derivatives are used in bioimaging, bioanalysis, FRET and quenching techniques, photodynamic therapy, DNA analysis for cells, proteins, tissues and other biological entities, and other applications. Near-infrared fluorescence minimizes matrix effects typically seen in other methods of analyzing biochemical entities in cells, proteins, tissues and other biological entities.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are disclosed for carrying out cyclic or iterated reactions such as PCR, LDR, and other cyclic or iterated reactions. A microchannel forms a closed loop, through which a reaction mixture may be thermally cycled an arbitrary number of times. Flow is preferably mediated primarily by electrokinetics. Multiple temperature zones may be employed along the course of a single microchannel loop, for example for PCR. Embodiments may be compact, automated, fast, and operable in continuous-flow mode. Real-time reaction monitoring may optionally be used.

Abstract: Passively aligned modular microfluidic devices, and a method for fabricating such passively aligned polymeric modular microfluidic devices have been reported. The modular units fabricated are plurality of integrated microdevices. Also reported are microfluidic devices wherein isolated temperature zones exist so that the temperature within each zone may be distinctly and accurately controlled, and a method for fabricating such microfluidic devices wherein there are isolated temperature zones so that the temperature within each zone may be distinctly and accurately controlled. Such devices allow one to define constant temperature zones along a microfluidic channel where different reactions or stages of reactions occur.

Abstract: UV photoresist materials are disclosed, based on EPON 154 or EPON 165. Preferred embodiments, based on a composite of EPON 154 and EPON 165, spread evenly into a flat, uniform layer, even without spin-coating. The preferred embodiments bond strongly to all substrates, and are resistant to cracking and debonding following exposure and development. The preferred embodiments have high UV transmittance, which promotes uniform photopolymerization throughout a thick layer. Structures may be produced by UV lithography that have a sidewall quality that has previously been attainable only by photolithography with a collimated x-ray source.

Abstract: A modular, reconfigurable entertainment and data system provides data to at least one user. A cabinet is provided which contains a plurality of module receiving rails therein. A power supply module is positioned on a first one of the rails and provides an operating potential. An entertainment/data module is positioned on a second rail and a control module is positioned on a third one of the module receiving rails and provides an interface between the user and the entertainment/data module.

Abstract: An accurate and inexpensive integral micro-optical system for coupling and aligning optical fibers with other optical components, such as other optical fibers, diffusers, beam shapers, beam splitters, mirrors, or lenses is disclosed. The micro-optical coupler disclosed comprises one or more fiberport collimators and one or more microlens arrays, optically aligned during fabrication so that an optical fiber, or other source of light, was coupled to another optical fiber, or other light receiver, by simple inserting the optical source in one side of the micro-coupler and inserting the optical receiver in the other side of the micro-coupler. Often the fabrication process for this system can be done in a single lithography procedure. Since the optical axis of each component was aligned during the fabrication step, no subsequent alignment was required.

Abstract: An accurate and inexpensive integral micro-optical system for coupling and aligning optical fibers with other optical components, such as other optical fibers, diffusers, beam shapers, beam splitters, mirrors, or lenses is disclosed. The micro-optical coupler disclosed comprises one or more fiberport collimators and one or more microlens arrays, optically aligned during fabrication so that an optical fiber, or other source of light, was coupled to another optical fiber, or other light receiver, by simple inserting the optical source in one side of the micro-coupler and inserting the optical receiver in the other side of the micro-coupler. Often the fabrication process for this system can be done in a single lithography procedure. Since the optical axis of each component was aligned during the fabrication step, no subsequent alignment was required.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct photochemical modification and micro-patterning of polymer surfaces, without the need to use a photoresist. For example, micropatterns of various functional chemical groups, biomolecules, and metal films have been deposited on poly(carbonate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces. These patterns may be used, for example, in integrated electronics, capture elements, or sensing elements in micro-fluidic channels.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the rapid and cost-effective sequencing of DNA. There are three principal components of the system: (1) a microreactor, which prepares DNA sequencing "ladders" using solid-phase techniques, preferably in capillary tubes whose volumes are on the order of 10-1000 nanoliters, preferably 10-200 nanoliters; (2) a microfabricated electrophoresis capillary separation unit; and (3) a fluorescence detector with single-mode optical fibers interfaced directly to the electrophoresis capillary. The system is suitable for a highly multiplexed, automated DNA sequencing device Typical. steps in sequencing are as follows: (1) PCR amplification of a DNA template in microtiter dishes using labelled primers, e.g.