Abstract: The present invention provides a device and methods of use thereof for desalting a solution. The methods, inter-alia, make use of a device comprising microchannels, which are linked to conduits, whereby induction of an electric field in the conduit results in the formation of a space charge layer within the microchannel. The space charge layer provides an energy barrier for salt ions and generates an ion depletion zone proximal to the linkage region between the microchannel and the conduit. The method thus enables the removal of salt ions from the region proximal to the conduit and their accumulation in a region distant from the conduit, within the microchannel.

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed provides for devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore. The devices and methods are also used to determine rapidly (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of pteridine levels in a biological sample using CE-LIF which is useful for early cancer screening involving fully oxidizing pteridine compounds in a sample such as a urine sample, subjecting to CE-LIF to assess compound concentration, and compare to expected levels in for healthy or cancer-bearing patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for identifying biopolymers, such as strands of DNA, as they pass through a constriction such as a carbon nanotube nanopore. More particularly, the invention is directed to such systems, devices and methods in which a newly translocated portion of the biopolymer forms a temporary electrical circuit between the nanotube nanopore and a second electrode, which may also be a nanotube. Further, the invention is directed to such systems, devices and methods in which the constriction is provided with a functionalized unit which, together with a newly translocated portion of the biopolymer, forms a temporary electrical circuit that can be used to characterize that portion of the biopolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple method to correct cross-talk, after the data have been generated. Adjacent signals are simply subtracted from the original observed signal with a repeating process. The data processing is stopped when a predefined condition is met. By this technique, cross-talk can be reduced from >5% to less than 0.1%. And as an additional advantage, this method provides a way to correct the cross-talk without the need to know which peaks are caused by the adjacent capillary signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting nucleic acids, wherein a sample to be analyzed for the presence of nucleic acids is separated by capillary electrophoresis. The conditions of sample injection and separation allow for an extremely high sensitivity of the method, which can be applied, e.g. for quality control purposes in the determination or the presence, quantity and/or size of genomic DNA contaminants in samples comprising proteins for therapy or vaccination.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is that a dynamic range is extended in an electrophoresis unit and concentration differences among a plurality of samples measured simultaneously are increased. An irradiation time to the samples is adjusted during analysis without changing a sampling time. By shortening the irradiation time, a fluorescence amount of the samples is reduced to cause signal intensity detected by a detector to physically decrease. If the irradiation time is very short (several 100 msec), the irradiation time and fluorescence intensity are in a direct proportional relationship. It is known that, if the irradiation time is reduced to 1/n, the fluorescence intensity, that is, signal intensity to be detected will be 1/n. Thus, for data whose irradiation time is reduced to 1/n during analysis, data obtained by multiplying a substantially measured value by n is used for data analysis as a true value to be originally acquired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is provided. This method involves combining enhanced chemiluminescence with microchip capillary electrophoresis or microchip liquid chromatography.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides microfluidic devices comprised of two or more carbon nanotube membranes disposed at predetermined intervals within a microchannel. Further provided are methods of using the same for the electrokinetic separation of one or more molecules of interest from a sample.

Abstract: A dielectrophoresis (DEP) apparatus including a concentration gradient generating unit, a method of separating a target material in a sample solution using the DEP apparatus, and a method of screening the optimum condition for separating a target material are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple method to correct cross-talk, after the data have been generated. Adjacent signals are simply subtracted from the original observed signal with a repeating process. The data processing is stopped when a predefined condition is met. By this technique, cross-talk can be reduced from >5% to less than 0.1%. And as an additional advantage, this method provides a way to correct the cross-talk without the need to know which peaks are caused by the adjacent capillary signal.

Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation/detection station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.

Abstract: A method for separating the constituents of a mixture M by electrophoresis in a single capillary includes (A) separating compounds of the mixture M in a single capillary according to the capillary electrophoresis technique; (B) isolating a fraction F of the compounds thus separated by evacuating part of the compounds having the highest migration speeds from the capillary and/or evacuating part of the compounds having the lowest migration speeds from the capillary; (C) introducing a separating medium MS having a higher migration speed than the compounds of the isolated fraction F into the capillary containing the isolated fraction F, and (D) the compounds contained in fraction F are separated in the new electrophoretic conditions thus obtained.

Abstract: An integrated flow cell, the flow cell comprising a semiconductor substrate, and a fluidic conduit having an at least partially transparent semiconductor oxide tubing, wherein the semiconductor oxide tubing is formed with the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel molecular method for the simultaneous identification and semi-quantification of multiple targeted biological entities from amongst a plurality. This invention discloses a method based on a multiplex nested amplification reaction in a single closed tube. The first amplification reaction relies on a set of large oligonucleotides for the amplification of common loci in all the targeted biological entities. The second nested amplification reaction relies on a set of short oligonucleotide primers that amplifies specific nucleotide sequences from all the amplicons previously produced in the first amplification reaction and generates an amplified product pattern capable of identifying each targeted biological entity. This method offers fast and accurate simultaneous identification of many targeted biological entities in any sample.

Abstract: Problems to be Solved There is provided a method for separating the complex containing the analyte (or the analogue) in the blood-derived sample and the labeling substances, etc., and coexisting substances in a blood-derived sample, rapidly, simply and conveniently and in high precision by a isotachophoresis (ITP); and a measuring method for the analyte in said sample in high precision and in high sensitivity, based on amount of the complex separated or amount of the free labeling substance-containing molecules, which were not involved in formation of said complex.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the detection of the amount of a nucleic acid in a sample. The described methods exploit the ability to disrupt and redirect a PCR direction, and the ability to physically pair nucleic acid molecules in a sample that have a reference sequence with nucleic acid molecules in the sample that have a target sequence. The redirection of the PCR reaction enables partial amplification as a preparatory step to other techniques within the same tube. The pairing can result in the presence of unpaired target or reference sequence indicating a difference in the amount of the target sequence versus the reference sequence. The methods are broadly applicable for the determination of differences in the amount of nucleic acids in diagnostic and research applications.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of determining the presence and position of AGG or interruptor elements within a trinucleotide (for example, CGG) repeat region, and to methods of determining the number of repeats present in this region, by amplifying a set of products with a set of primers of which at least one comprises a portion of the CGG repeat region, and resolving the products to produce a representation of product size and abundance.

Abstract: The invention discloses a Non-Equilibrium Capillary Electrophoresis of Equilibrium Mixtures (NECEEM) method and NECEEM-based practical applications. The NECEEM method is a homogeneous technique, which, in contrast to heterogeneous methods, does not require affixing molecules to a solid substrate. The method of the invention facilitates 3 practical applications. In the first application, the method allows the finding of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation. It advantageously allows for revealing two parameters, the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, and the monomolecular rate constant of complex decay, koff, in a single experiment. In the second practical application, the method of this invention provides an approach for quantitative affinity analysis of target molecules. It advantageously allows for the use of affinity probes with relatively high values of koff.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system or matrix approach for determining compatibility of a pharmaceutically active substance, such as small molecule drug candidate, therapeutic proteins, peptides, vaccines or RNAi, with materials used in the research and development of pharmaceuticals, including plastics, polymers, resins, rubbers, elastomers, glass and steel.

Abstract: Analysis methods and apparatus are provided for inspecting a channel, such as a capillary electrophoresis channel, in a device. Configuration and alignment systems are provided, together with optical systems and temperature control.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing the electrophoretic mobility distribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers include providing a sample medium comprising a plurality vWF multimers. The vWF multimers are electrophoretically separated by electrohoretic mobility in the sample medium by subjecting said sample medium to an electric field to provide separated vWF multimers. The separated vWF multimers in the sample medium are exposed to a light source to produce scattered light. The scattered light is detected, and the electrophoretic mobility distribution of the separated vWF multimers is determined from the detected scattered light.

Abstract: A process for the diagnosis of kidney diseases comprising the step of determining the presence or absence or amplitude of at least three polypeptide markers in a urine sample, the polypeptide markers being selected from the markers characterized in Table 1 by values for the molecular masses and migration times.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and methods for increasing the concentration of a charged species in solution, wherein the solution containing the concentrated species is exposed to the environment. Such solution can be formed on a surface or on a tip of a measurement device. The open-environment concentration technique overcomes the disadvantages of in-channel concentration devices, especially by eliminating flow-induced delivery processes that lead to concentration losses. Combined with direct contact dispensing, methods of this invention can be used for various applications such as immunoassay and MALDI-MS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biochemical detection system that comprises an exchangeable cartridge unit with light guiding tubes pre-coated with capture agent(s) and an optical detection unit. Upon flowing the liquid or gaseous sample containing the target(s) through the cartridge unit, the target(s) bind(s) to the capture agent(s) and is (are) detected by the amount of light or the variation of its properties while guided through the tubes. The optical detection unit is comprised of a light emitting element(s), a light connecting element(s) and a light detecting element(s) that delivers the amount of target(s) in the sample under investigation.

Abstract: A method for determining the hydrodynamic radius for the constituents of an admixture, includes: (A) by separating capillary electrophoresis, the constituents of the admixture, leaving them within the capillary; (B) at one of the ends of the capillary obtained in this manner, containing, in different zones, the separated constituents, a detectable marker is injected in the region of a detection device which is placed at the side of the other end of the capillary; (C) a pressure difference is induced between the ends of the capillary in order to cause the various constituents separated in step (A) and finally the marker to migrate towards the outlet of the capillary; and (D) by analyzing the Taylor dispersion produced in step (C), the hydrodynamic radius is determined for each of the constituents, based on the detection time of the marker and the elution profile of each of the constituents.

Abstract: Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) is a novel method of drug target ID with several significant advantages over current techniques. In certain embodiments the method involves contacting a sample comprising one or more protein target(s) with a test agent to form a sample/test agent mixture; contacting the mixture with a protease; and identifying a protein or protein fragment that is protected from proteolysis, wherein the protection from proteolysis is an indicator that the protein or protein fragment binds to or interacts with the test agent.

Abstract: Methods for determining total analyte concentrations and amounts, especially in combination with analyte separations are provided. Microfluidic devices are used to separate analyte mixtures and detect the individual analytes. Signal areas are summed for each individual analyte to quantitate the total analyte amount. Separate measurements of the total analyte sample are also used to determine total analyte concentration.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detection of TCR-? nucleic acid in acellular body fluid. The methods can be used to detect the TCR-? gene rearrangement in acellular body fluid. The detection of TCR-? gene rearrangement is useful in determination of clonality of T-cell population. The invention is useful in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder.

Abstract: A separation module operates to fractionate or separate an analyte into fractions according to pI, i.e., pI bands, utilizing capillary isoelectric focusing (“CIEF”) within a first microchannel. The fractions are stacked to form plugs, the number of which is determined by a number of parallel second microchannels integrally connected to the first microchannel, into which the fractions are directed according to the buffer characteristics found in each of the individual microchannels. Within the microchannels the plugs are separated into proteins according to a different chemical property, i.e., “m/z,” utilizing capillary electrophoresis (“CE”).

Abstract: This invention relates to the Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) Biochip. This chip uses the technology of CE combined with conductivity detection to determine: blood Electrolytes (EL) of K3 Na, Ca & Li using “EL Biochip” and to monitor water quality using “L Biochip”. Our in use technology enables to develop a small chip, reliable, easy to use, inexpensive and capable for rapid whole blood testing anywhere. Once this technique is developed, a generic system is obtained, and multitude of ions can be tested at once on the same device. Our chips are using same hardware (layout) and can be optimized to test other ions. The “2-in-1 Biochip” is a multi application versatile system, having two chips : “EL Biochip” : a point-of-care blood analysis chip, for diagnosis & therapeutic follow-up. “L-Biochip”: an on-site environmental monitoring liquids chip, to monitor water quality & guarding against water born diseases outbreaks.

Abstract: An electrophoresis member is produced by laying a plurality of capillaries on an adhesive layer born on a support layer to form a capillary layer, laminating thereon a second support layer, and partially removing the first support layer, the first adhesive layer and the second support layer to partially expose the capillaries to form a window portion for irradiation and detection and a sample injection portion for injecting a sample.

Abstract: Composite particles and methods of synthesizing a composite particle are disclosed, in particular, methods of synthesizing a composite particle comprising a dielectric component, a magnetic component, and a gold shell are disclosed. Further disclosed herein are methods of detecting a target compound using the composite particles of the present invention. Also disclosed are photonic crystals that can be manipulated with an external magnetic field comprising the composite particles of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for diagnosing vascular diseases (VD), comprising the step of determining the presence or absence of at least one polypeptide marker in a sample, wherein said polypeptide marker is selected from markers 1 to 526, which are characterized by values for the molecular masses and migration times (CE times).

Abstract: An electrophoresis chip that can be small and simple and that can analyze a sample with high accuracy is provided. The electrophoresis chip includes an upper substrate 4, a lower substrate 1, an introduction reservoir 2a, a recovery reservoir 2b and a capillary channel for sample analysis 3x. The introduction reservoir 2a and the recovery reservoir 2b are formed in the lower substrate 1. The introduction reservoir 2a and the recovery reservoir 2b are in communication with each other via the capillary channel for sample analysis 3x. The introduction reservoir 2a receives a sample to be measured. The sample is electrophoretically introduced directly into the capillary channel for sample analysis 3x by creating a potential difference between the introduction reservoir 2a and the recovery reservoir 2b, and is also analyzed in the capillary channel for sample analysis 3x during the separation of the sample while the sample is being continuously supplied.

Abstract: An analyser and method for determining the relative importance of fractions of biological mixtures projects data obtained from at least two mixtures with different physiological conditions by chromatographic or mass spectrometric measurement into a second attribute space using a projection technique such as principal component analysis. The projected data is then filtered using a feature selection method such as ReliefF, before being projected back to the first attribute space using a reversion of the projection technique. This back-projected data is then filtered using another feature selection method such as ReliefF before being output in a human-readable form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating components of a sample. The method includes obtaining a first separation of the sample components along a first dimension wherein the sample components are at least partially resolved, wherein the first separation can be performed in the absence of an electric field applied to the first dimension. An electric field is used to obtain a second separation of the sample components along a second dimension comprising a plurality of substantially isolated volumes. An intensity-time data record is obtained from each of the isolated volumes, the intensity-time data records containing peaks, each peak being indicative of a migration time. The migration time of a first peak is normalized with respect to a migration time of at least a second peak to correct for migration time differences between the isolated volumes.

Abstract: A sample plate assembly for an electrophoresis apparatus including a tray at a sample supply portion of a capillary array, an adapter for the tray, a sample plate mounted on the adapter, a septer mounted on the sample plate and a septer holder mounted on the septer. Thereby, many number of samples can be automatically supplied to capillaries in a multi capillary array.

Abstract: A chip 400 is composed of a substrate 401, and a frame component 402 provided on the surface of the substrate 401, so as to be brought into contact with the substrate 401. A flow path 102 which retains a liquid sample, and serves as a trench-type flow path allowing therethrough electrophoretic migration of a sample to be subjected to mass analysis, is configured to use the substrate 401 as the bottom surface, and to use the frame component 402 as the sidewall. The substrate 401 and the frame component 402 are configured to be separable.

Abstract: A capillary tube having a hard, optically clear external coating or cladding. In one embodiment, the external clear coating comprises hard-fluoropolymer. The hard-fluoropolymer coating bonds to the fused silica glass, providing higher strength and superior static fatigue performance resulting in vastly improved bending flexibility. The thin hard-fluoropolymer coating of capillaries provides higher initial tensile strength, longer lifetime (resistance to stress corrosion or static fatigue) and superior ability to transmit excitation light and emitted light directly through the coating for fluorescence based detection.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a capillary column with one or more excitation fibers and with one or more optical lens elements for Capillary Electrophoresis. The apparatus includes two identical blocks having a plurality of grooves for positioning and aligning the capillary column with the one or more excitation fibers, and a plurality of lens seats for optically coupling the lens element with the capillary column. Each block includes a male and female part for mating the two identical blocks together.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the length of analytes and/or sequencing analytes are provided in which two or more electrical signals are obtained as an analyte traverses a fluidic channel. Detection of the relative position of probes hybridized to a biopolymer and/or the length of the analyte (e.g., a biopolymer) does not rely on the absolute time between detection events of a given electrical signal to determine a distance associated with the biopolymer. Instead, multiple signals are obtained (e.g., as functions of time) corresponding to a plurality of detector volumes at known locations along a fluidic channel through which the biopolymer passes, and the distances are determined from the multiple signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfabricated device and methods of using the device for analyzing and sorting polynucleotide molecules by size.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods useful in the acceleration of binding of target analytes to capture ligands on surfaces. Detection proceeds through the use of an electron transfer moiety (ETM) that is associated with the target analyte, either directly or indirectly, to allow electronic detection of the ETM.

Abstract: In a microfluidic device, respective motion of a plurality of objects along corresponding trajectories is achieved by determining a force field, such as an underlying fluid flow which, when applied to the plurality of object, moves each object along its corresponding trajectory. The force field is a linear superposition of a subset of all force fields supported by the physical characteristics of the microfluidic device. Once the fields have been ascertained, a plurality of actuation signals corresponding to the fields is applied to actuators installed on the microfluidic device to cause the force on each object. By implementing a feedback structure, corrections for positional errors may be made by computing a corrective force for each object and adjusting the actuation signals appropriately thereto.

Abstract: The present teachings comprise a device and method for lysing and/or purifying biological sample. The device can comprise a cartridge having a chamber containing a biological sample receiving region, a plurality of electrodes, and one or more sieving matrices. The electrodes can be configured to lyse the biological sample through the production of a pulsed electrical field. The electrodes can also be configured to heat lyse the biological sample. The electrodes can also be configured to electrophoretically move the biological sample through one or more sieving matrices. A portion of the sample can be isolated on a membrane. The portion of the sample isolated on the membrane can be amplified and detected. A portion of the sample can be isolated in a collection area present in the cartridge. The portion of the sample isolated in the collection area can be removed from the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capillary electrophoresis method for simultaneously electrophoresing an unknown sample and an internal standard material, determining an earliest peak as a peak derived from the internal standard material, and identifying the unknown sample on the basis of the internal standard substance-derived peak. The internal standard substance consists of a fluorescent substance or a salt thereof which has a positive or negative net charge of 2 or more in an electrolyte solution used for capillary electrophoresis. An earliest one of detected peaks is determined as a peak derived from the internal standard substance, and the remaining peaks are identified on the basis of the internal standard substance-derived peak.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human DNA repair enzyme, MED1, is disclosed. Like other mismatch repair genes which are mutated in certain cancers, MED1, encoding nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies thereto may be used to advantage in genetic or cancer screening assays. MED1, which recognizes and cleaves DNA, may also be used for the diagnostic detection of mutations and genetic variants.

Abstract: After a sample is previously separated into plural components in a channel formed in a microchip (353), the channel is irradiated along a separation direction with a laser beam from a laser oscillator (361) to sequentially ionize each fraction separated in the channel. The ionized fraction is detected by a mass spectrometry unit (363) and analyzed by an analytical result analyzing unit (371). The analytical result is stored in a memory (369) while associated with position information in a driver control unit (367) and information on laser beam irradiation condition in a laser control unit (373), and the analytical result is imaged by an imaging unit (375). The imaged analytical result is displayed on a display (377).