Abstract: Particles of interest such as DNA, RNA may be detected in trace quantities by subjecting the particles to concentration by scodaphoresis, detecting a signal indicative of the presence of the particles in a scodaphoresis focus spot and performing phase-sensitive detection on the signal using a reference signal tied to the scodaphoresis fields. Specificity may be enhanced by using a medium having high affinity for the particles and/or markers having specific affinity for the target particles. In some embodiments a fluorescence signal is detected and subjected to phase-sensitive analysis. The signal may be detected by a camera or other imaging system.

Abstract: Particles may be injected into a matrix for concentration by scodaphoresis using a quadrupole injection field. Particles may be injected from two or more sample chambers simultaneously. Particle injection may be performed simultaneously with performing scodaphoresis. In some embodiments the particles are concentrated into a well containing fluid. The well can extend out of a plane of the matrix. Altering the relative phases of components of a scodaphoresis field permits concentration of selected particles and exclusion of other particles. Scodaphoresis methods may be applied to DNA, other bio-molecules and other particles.

Abstract: Particles of interest, such as DNA molecules, are injected into a medium by applying a first field. Once in the medium the particles are concentrated by applying one or more fields that cause mobilities of the particles in the medium to vary in a manner that is correlated with motions of the particles. Particle injection and particle concentration may be performed concurrently or in alternation.

Abstract: Particles may be injected into a matrix for concentration by scodaphoresis using a quadrupole injection field. Particles may be injected from two or more sample chambers simultaneously. Particle injection may be performed simultaneously with performing scodaphoresis. In some embodiments the particles are concentrated into a well containing fluid. The well can extend out of a plane of the matrix. Altering the relative phases of components of a scodaphoresis field permits concentration of selected particles and exclusion of other particles. Scodaphoresis methods may be applied to DNA, other bio-molecules and other particles.

Abstract: Components of a mixture are separated by feeding charged molecules of the components into a end surface of a suitable medium, for example a gel. The molecules are drawn in a first direction through the medium by means of an DC electric field, while at the same time being subjected to an alternating voltage with a strongly asymmetric profile in a direction transverse to the first direction. The nonlinear behavior of the electrically-generated migration causes a large number of molecules to migrate transversely out of the medium while only a small number of molecules reach the opposite end surface of the medium. A superimposed DC voltage in the transverse direction selects which of the mixture components migrate all the way through the medium in the first direction. The separated components can be sampled from the opposite end surface and from points on the upper and lower medium surfaces.

Abstract: Particles of interest, such as DNA molecules, are injected into a medium by applying a first field. Once in the medium the particles are concentrated by applying one or more fields that cause mobilities of the particles in the medium to vary in a manner that is correlated with motions of the particles. Particle injection and particle concentration may be performed concurrently or in alternation.

Abstract: Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6.2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones. For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel.

Abstract: A process for rapid typing of yeast, parasites and bacteria is provided. It comprises the following steps: a) Preparing immobilized intact DNA in 5 to 60 minutes aided by a method involving a reagent kit that only contains buffer solution, a detergent, a metal chelating agent and an agent to disrupt the hydrogen bonds. b) Separating intact DNA molecules or their restriction fragments in miniequipments for Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis of the CHEF (Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field) and TAFE (Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis) systems in times comprised between 2.5 and 7 hours. c) Selecting the optimal conditions that should be set in miniCHEF with the aid of a method to simulate the electrophoresis patterns d) Providing reorientation times, migration velocities and sizes of the molecules calculated with the aid of a method to analyze the migrated distances without the use of size markers.

Abstract: Circuit to clamp the voltages in the electrodes of the CHEF system chambers of Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) which is formed by two identical clamping circuits that are connected to a power supply through an alternator and only one of the two circuits receives electric power at the same time. Each clamping circuit is formed by several resistors and diodes connected in series to form a voltage divider. Voltage repeaters are connected to the nodes formed in the union of two resistors. Each repeater is connected to a pair of electrodes that should be polarized at the same potential. Diodes are introduced to correct small errors in the voltage pattern applied to the electrodes. The circuit is able to maintain the potential of each electrode in front of the variations of conductivity that occur inside the chamber during the electrophoresis. This way each imposition circuit generates a homogeneous electric field of same value and different direction in a PFGE chamber of the CHEF system.

Abstract: Various traveling wave grids and related systems are disclosed that are particularly beneficial for the separation, transport, and focusing of biomolecules or other charged species. An implementation of a vertically integrated traveling wave module is described which allows for scalability to arbitrary gel dimensions through tiling. In addition, several unique traveling wave algorithms are also described which when used in conjunction with the traveling wave grids, impart selective motion to biomolecules or other charged species.

Abstract: A microcapillary device includes a microcapillary tube. An anode is positioned at a first end of the microcapillary tube. A cathode is positioned at a second end of said microcapillary tube. A plurality of electric field reducing components are spaced apart along a length of the microcapillary tube. The anode and the cathode generate an electric field along the length of the microcapillary tube, and the plurality of electric field reducing components selectively reduce the electric field at spatial intervals along the length of the microcapillary tube.

Abstract: A fluidic channel patterned with a series of thin-film electrodes makes it possible to move and concentrate DNA in a fluid passing through the fluidic channel. The DNA has an inherent negative charge and by applying a voltage between adjacent electrodes the DNA is caused to move. By using a series of electrodes, when one electrode voltage or charge is made negative with respect to adjacent electrodes, the DNA is repelled away from this electrode and attached to a positive charged electrode of the series. By sequentially making the next electrode of the series negative, the DNA can be moved to and concentrated over the remaining positive electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6, 2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for moving, isolating and/or identifying particles in a sample by placing said sample in a spatially varying electrical field wherein the spatially varying electrical field is following a mathematical nonmonotonous function, selected from the group consisting of linear, hyperbolic, parabolic, parabolic functions or y˜xp/q and combinations thereof wherein p q means an integer. Also various devices are disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroporation stores a level of charge, specified by a user, on a capacitor, which is delivered to a cuvette through an optically isolated high voltage switch. The capacitor is charged through a charging system, including a current mode pulse width modulation control circuit, which monitors the current in the primary winding of a transformer and supplies a pulse width modulated signal, limiting the current on every pulse to a level set by the microcontroller, to the controlling transistor in order to generate the drive to the primary winding of the transformer. A controlled amount of energy is transferred through each pulse to the capacitor. The microcontroller monitors the voltage on the capacitor up to a threshold level to predict the number of pulses necessary to store the requested amount of charge on the capacitor. The microcontroller will then count the number of pulses until the number of pulses necessary to store the requested amount of charge on the capacitor has been reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out electrophoretic separation is provided which imparts a fractal field component to the particles themselves or to the medium in which the particles are to be separated which, in combination with a steady field component, provides for a fast electrophoretic separation method that can be used on molecules and particles of a larger size than currently available electrophoretic methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for assaying electrophoretically separated components of sample in a gel. Following an initial separation phase of the sample components into distinct bands within separate zones of the gel, the separated components are held stationary on the gel in a hold mode. During the hold mode, reagent required for an intended assay is applied to the zone of the gel comprising the component to be assayed. The assay is conducted during the hold-mode. A wide range of assays can be conducted on the components in the gel, without the need for a blotting step. Following completion of the assay, the hold mode is removed and, if desired, the sample components are further separated in the gel.