Abstract: A process for identifying one or more target analytes present in a sample includes contacting a microarray with the sample. The microarray has at least two microbead subpopulations with randomly distributed spatial positions, each of the subpopulations comprising microbeads having a known active agent capable of binding with a respective target analyte. After contacting the microarray with the sample, the spatial positions of the microbeads which have undergone a change that is indicative of a respective one of the active agents being bound to a corresponding one of the target analytes are determined. At least one of the microbead subpopulations which has undergone the change is identified by comparing the determined spatial positions to recorded spatial positions of the microbeads of the microbead subpopulations stored in an encoding/decoding data table. The target analytes are identified based on the known active agents belonging to the at least one identified microbead subpopulation.

Abstract: A process for identifying one or more target analytes present in a sample includes contacting a microarray with the sample. The microarray has at least two microbead subpopulations with randomly distributed spatial positions, each of the subpopulations comprising microbeads having a known active agent capable of binding with a respective target analyte. After contacting the microarray with the sample, the spatial positions of the microbeads which have undergone a change that is indicative of a respective one of the active agents being bound to a corresponding one of the target analytes are determined. At least one of the microbead subpopulations which has undergone the change is identified by comparing the determined spatial positions to recorded spatial positions of the microbeads of the microbead subpopulations stored in an encoding/decoding data table. The target analytes are identified based on the known active agents belonging to the at least one identified microbead subpopulation.

Abstract: A process for making a micro-array. The process comprises the step of depositing a population of microbeads on a substrate having at least one fiducial. The population being comprised of at least two sub-populations, preferably multiple sub-populations, each comprising a known active agent capable of specific binding with at least one target analyte. The said subpopulations are deposited sequentially and at discrete periods of each other. The process also comprises the step of making images of the substrate after deposition of each subpopulation. The images are then compared using the fiducial as a reference to thereby determine the location of each microbead and to identify the subpopulation, and its known active agent, based on differences between each image. Also disclosed in a system for using the microarray.

Abstract: A process for making a micro-array. The process comprises the step of depositing a population of microbeads on a substrate having at least one fiducial. The population being comprised of at least two sub-populations, preferably multiple sub-populations, each comprising a known active agent capable of specific binding with at least one target analyte. The said subpopulations are deposited sequentially and at discrete periods of each other. The process also comprises the step of making images of the substrate after deposition of each subpopulation. The images are then compared using the fiducial as a reference to thereby determine the location of each microbead and to identify the subpopulation, and its known active agent, based on differences between each image. Also disclosed in a system for using the microarray.

Abstract: A process for making a micro-array. The process comprises the step of depositing a population of microbeads on a substrate having at least one fiducial. The population being comprised of at least two sub-populations, preferably multiple sub-populations, each comprising a known active agent capable of specific binding with at least one target analyte. The said subpopulations are deposited sequentially and at discrete periods of each other. The process also comprises the step of making images of the substrate after deposition of each subpopulation. The images are then compared using the fiducial as a reference to thereby determine the location of each microbead and to identify the subpopulation, and its known active agent, based on differences between each image. Also disclosed in a system for using the microarray.

Abstract: A device for washing and isolating magnetic particles from a continuous fluid flow in at least one fluidic channel having an inlet at one end and an outlet at another end, said device comprising at least one magnetic source carrier arranged proximate to the at least one fluidic channel. The at least one magnetic source carrier is moveable between a first position and a second position. The at least one magnetic source carrier comprises at least one first magnetic source, wherein a movement of the at least one magnetic source carrier to the first position places the at least one first magnetic source at a first spatial location along the at least one fluidic channel such that said at least one first magnetic source generates a maxima magnetic field at said first spatial location that attracts the magnetic particles from the continuous fluid flow and assembles said magnetic particles at said first spatial location.

Abstract: A microfluidic filtration unit for trapping particles of a predetermined nominal size present in a fluid is provided. The unit comprises a fluid chamber connected to an inlet for introducing the fluid to be filtered and an outlet for discharging filtered fluid, a filtration barrier arranged within the fluid chamber, said filtration barrier comprising a plurality of pillars arranged substantially perpendicular to the path of fluid flow when fluid is introduced into the fluid chamber, said pillars being aligned to form at least one row extending across said path of fluid flow, wherein each of said at least one row of pillars in the filtration barrier comprises at least one fine filtration section comprising a group of pillars that are spaced apart to prevent particles to be filtered from the fluid from moving between adjacent pillars, and at least one coarse filtration section comprising a group of pillars that are spaced apart to permit the movement of particles between adjacent pillars.

Abstract: A method for identifying target nucleic acids includes the steps of contacting a sample containing a plurality of target nucleic acids with at least one series of nucleotide primers under conditions that allow binding of said primers to at least one of said target nucleic acids and labeling of said bound primers with a detectable signal, wherein one member within each series has a lower level of specificity than other members of the series; and measuring said detectable signal of each labeled primer to determine the identity of said target nucleic acids.

Abstract: A process for making a micro-array. The process comprises the step of depositing a population of microbeads on a substrate having at least one fiducial. The population being comprised of at least two sub-populations, preferably multiple sub-populations, each comprising a known active agent capable of specific binding with at least one target analyte. The said subpopulations are deposited sequentially and at discrete periods of each other. The process also comprises the step of making images of the substrate after deposition of each subpopulation. The images are then compared using the fiducial as a reference to thereby determine the location of each microbead and to identify the subpopulation, and its known active agent, based on differences between each image. Also disclosed in a system for using the microarray.

Abstract: To detect an analyte, a fluid is flown through a filter. The fluid carries signal producing members smaller in size than the analyte and having affinity to specifically attach to the analyte. The filter is adapted for trapping the analyte while allowing passage of unattached ones of the signal producing members. A signal produced by one or more of the signal producing members can be sensed upstream of the filter to detect the analyte trapped by the filter.