8118 results about "Microarray" patented technology

This invention comprises an apparatus and method for the manipulation of materials, including particles, cells, macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and other moieties, in fluid samples. The apparatus comprises an enclosed chamber on a chip having an internal microstructure with surface area substantially greater than the facial surface area of the internal structure. Generally the internal microstructure comprises a continuous network of channels, each of which has a depth substantially greater than its width. The network may comprise a single channel, a single channel with multiple branches, multiple channels, multiple channels with multiple branches, and any combination thereof. The internal structure may present an inert, non-reactive surface, or be coated with a reactive ligand, or be electrically conductive and optionally be coated with an electrical insulator. Discrete portions of the internal structure may differ in structural and surface properties. Multiple chips may be linked together to create a multiplexed array of chambers, optionally linked to other analytical devices.

The invention relates to a microfabricated device for the rapid detection of DNA, proteins or other molecules associated with a particular disease. The devices and methods of the invention can be used for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases by detecting molecules (e.g. amounts of molecules), such as polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) or proteins (e.g., antibodies), by measuring the signal of a detectable reporter associated with hybridized polynucleotides or antigen / antibody complex. In the microfabricated device according to the invention, detection of the presence of molecules (i.e., polynucleotides, proteins, or antigen / antibody complexes) are correlated to a hybridization signal from an optically-detectable (e.g. fluorescent) reporter associated with the bound molecules. These hybridization signals can be detected by any suitable means, for example optical, and can be stored for example in a computer as a representation of the presence of a particular gene. Hybridization probes can be immobilized on a substrate that forms part of or is exposed to a channel or channels of the device that form a closed loop, for circulation of sample to actively contact complementary probes. Universal chips according to the invention can be fabricated not only with DNA but also with other molecules such as RNA, proteins, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and polyamide molecules.

This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule manipulation in a chip format. In particular, the invention provides a method for manipulating a moiety in a microfluidic application, which method comprises: a) coupling a moiety to be manipulated onto surface of a binding partner of said moiety to form a moiety-binding partner complex; and b) manipulating said moiety-binding partner complex with a physical force in a chip format, wherein said manipulation is effected through a combination of a structure that is external to said chip and a structure that is built-in in said chip, thereby said moiety is manipulated.

A microarray is designed capture one or more molecules of interest at each of a plurality of sites on a substrate. The sites comprise base pads, such as polymer base pads, that promote the attachment of the molecules at the sites. The microarray may be made by one or more patterning techniques to create a layout of base pads in a desired pattern. Further, the microarrays may include features to encourage clonality at the sites.

Disclosed are methods, devices and systems for biological and chemical sample processing using microfluidic chips. The disclosed microfluidic chips contain at least two detection zones for interacting with pre-selected RNA sequences, DNA sequences, antibodies, or antigens to determine their presence in the sample. Systems are also described comprising a cassette having at least one port and a sample inlet in fluid communication with a detection zone for interacting with pre-selected RNA sequences, DNA sequences, antibodies, or antigens, or mixtures thereof, if present, in a sample. Methods for concurrent testing of at least two of RNA, DNA, antibody, and antigen in a sample are also described, as are methods for testing for pre-selected pathogens and microfluidic methods.

Disclosed herein is a fully-integrated, disposable biochip for point-of-care testing of clinically relevant parameters. Specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the biochip is designed for POCT (point-of-care-testing) of an array of metabolic parameters including partial pressure of oxygen, Glucose, and Lactate concentration from venous blood samples. The biochip is fabricated on a low-cost plastic substrate using mass manufacturing compatible fabrication processes. Furthermore, the biochip contains a fully-integrated metallic micro-needle for blood sampling. The biochip also uses smart passive microfluidics in conjunction with low-power functional on-chip pressure generators for microfluidic sequencing. The design, configuration, assembly and operation of the biochip are ideally suited for a disposable biochip specifically targeted towards POCT applications.

A microarray is designed capture one or more molecules of interest at each of a plurality of sites on a substrate. The sites comprise base pads, such as polymer base pads, that promote the attachment of the molecules at the sites. The microarray may be made by one or more patterning techniques to create a layout of base pads in a desired pattern. Further, the microarrays may include features to encourage clonality at the sites.

Methods for preparing a biochip are provided herein wherein the biomolecular probe to be used with the biochip is alternatively bound to a hydrogel prepolymer prior to or simultaneously with polymerization of the prepolymer. In particularly preferred embodiments, a polyurethane-based hydrogel prepolymer is derivatized with an organic solvent soluble biomolecule, such as a peptide nucleic acid probe in aprotic, organic solvent. Following derivatization of the prepolymer, an aqueous solution, for example sodium bicarbonate, preferably buffered to a pH of about 7.2 to about 9.5, is added to the derivatized prepolymer solution to initiate polymerization of the hydrogel. Alternatively, a water soluble biomolecule, such as DNA or other oligonucleotide, is prepared in an aqueous solution and added to the polyurethane-based hydrogel prepolymer such that derivatization and polymerization occur, essentially, simultaneously. While the hydrogel is polymerizing, it is microspotted onto a solid substrate, preferably a silanated glass substrate, to which the hydrogel microdroplet becomes covalently bound. Most preferably the hydrogel microdroplets are at least about 30 mum thick, for example about 50 mum to about 100 mum thick. The resulting biochips are particularly useful for gene discovery, gene characterization, functional gene analysis and related studies.

A fluorometer for sensing the fluorescence of a sample utilizes an optical energy source for exciting a sample to be tested and an optical energy detector for detecting the emitted energy from the excited sample. Drive electronics are used for positioning the sample with respect to the optical components allowing a plurality of sample regions to be tested. A processor is utilized to control the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from the sample to determine test results. A ROM chip socket accepts a plurality of ROM chips, wherein each ROM chip stores test data sets for one or more test types to be performed. ROM chips can be swapped to allow the fluorometer to be configured and reconfigured to perform a plurality of different tests. A communications interface facilitates the sharing of test information between the fluorometer and external entities.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for microRNA expression analysis using microarrays.

Arrays containing a transcriptome of a diseased tissue and methods of using the arrays for diagnosis, prognosis, screening, and identification of disease are provided herein. The transcriptome arrays from diseased tissue are useful for diagnosis of a disease by analysis of the genetic profile of a tissue sample specific to a disease state. The genetic profiles are then correlated with data on the effectiveness of specific therapeutic agents. Correlating expression profiles to the effectiveness of therapeutic agents provides a way to screen and select further patients predicted to respond to those therapeutic agents, thereby minimizing needless exposure to ineffective therapy.

An electrochemical method for determining immunity of tumor marker includes forming microreaction cell, placing reference and counter electrode above it and fixing antigen molecular functioning film at pool bottom, connecting enzyme labelled antibody to pool bottom at time of only proper quantity of horseradish peroxidase to label tumor marker antibody, obtaining cataltyic current on working electrode by contacting free immune matter with electronic media and having positive ratio of the current to antigen. The microvolume immune determining chip is also disclosed.

The disclosure describes how to use luminescence detection mechanism, move microfluid, and control multiple-step biochemical reactions in closed confined microfluidic biochip platform. More particularly, a self-contained disposable biochip with patterned microchannels and compartments having storage means for storing a plurality of samples, reagents, and luminescent substrates. At least one external microactuator in the biochip system produces positive pressure and automates multiple-step reactions in microfluidic platforms for clinical chemistry, cell biology, immunoassay and nucleic acid analysis. The method comprises the steps of transferring sequentially at least one of samples, reagents, and then luminescent substrate from compartments through microchannels to reaction sites. The luminescent substrates react with probes to form a probe complex resulting into luminescence, which is detected by an optical detector.

The invention discloses an integral detecting reacting board and protein chip agent box of Carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA, 15-3 CA15-3(Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3,CA15-3), CA 125 (Cancer antigen 125,CA125), Squamous cell carcinoma antigen,SCC, Human papillomavirus antibody,HPVAb, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, beta-HCG and alpha-fetoprotein,AFP, wherein the reacting hole board contains base and reacting hole on the base; the reacting hole contains 2-384 sample holes, 2-200 standard sample holes; the fixing phase carrier is set on the bottom of each reacting hole, which is covered by seven antigen or antibody molecule arrays with anti-CEA, anti-CA15-3,anti-CA125,anti-SCC,HPV,anti- beta-HCG,anti-AFP.

High-density microfluidic chips contain plumbing networks with thousands of micromechanical valves and hundreds of individually addressable chambers. These fluidic devices are analogous to electronic integrated circuits fabricated using large scale integration (LSI). A component of these networks is the fluidic multiplexor, which is a combinatorial array of binary valve patterns that exponentially increases the processing power of a network by allowing complex fluid manipulations with a minimal number of inputs. These integrated microfluidic networks can be used to construct a variety of highly complex microfluidic devices, for example the microfluidic analog of a comparator array, and a microfluidic memory storage device resembling electronic random access memories.

The disclosed electrochemical screening and early diagnostic device for malignant tumor comprises: an immune detection chip (1) connected to a time-resolution multichannel potentiostat (2) that connects to a data process and display system (3) by an interface. Wherein, the chip (1) comprises eight working electrodes fixed different antigen films and Ag wire (a), Ag / AgCl reference electrode (b), a carbon-pair electrode (c), and an insulation film (d). This invention needs low cost, has intelligence and fit to fast detection.

The invention provides methods and compositions for reading out the results of multiplex assays on various analytical platforms, such as microarrays, bead arrays, electrophoresis devices, and the like. An important feature of the invention includes methods for converting different sets of oligonucleotide tags used for labeling into oligonucleotide tags specific for a particular analytical platform. The invention further includes compositions comprising oligonucleotide tags having convenient properties for labeling and conversion, particularly ligation tags that employ ligation reaction specificity as well as sequence specificity in order to discriminate between tags.

A three dimensional imaging device is presented which uses a single pulse from a pulsed light source to detect objects which are obscured by camouflage, fog or smoke but otherwise enveloped by a light-transmitting medium. The device simultaneously operates in two modes, light reflected from the nearest object is processed to form a three-dimensional image by an array of pixels. This first image is based upon the light-pulse transit time recorded in each pixel. Each pixel also contains a high-speed analog memory that sequentially stores reflected signals at a repeated time interval. The first reflection acts as a time base that controls when the analog memory begins or ends the storage sequence. The first return could be from a camouflage net and the amplitudes of the return signals, after the first return, would then be from objects behind the net. Computer processing these amplitudes reveals the three-dimensional nature of the obscured objects.The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected light, a sensor for detecting the light and converting it to electrical data, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and a computer for processing the sensor data and converting it to a three dimensional image. The sensor collects and processes the light data in a unique manner, first converting it to electricity by a number of alternate detector technologies and then using integrated circuit chips which consist of a two dimensional array of electronic pixels also called unit cells. The two dimensional array defines two dimensions of the image. Stored within each unit cells is data associated with the third dimension, ranges of targets, and amplitudes of target reflections. This data is read out of the integrated circuit chip in the time interval between laser pulses to a processing computer. The processing computer corrects the data and, by means of computer algorithms specific to the device, converts the data to a three-dimensional image of one or more targets. This image may be viewed or processed electronically to isolate targets.

The present invention is directed to a substrate having a plurality of microfeatures that provide a high surface area and are open to provide ready access to fluids and components therein. Methods of making the high surface area substrates are described and include generating microfeatures and / or microstructures on the surface of the substrate.

A method and a device for detecting an analyte, including a substrate having a chemically selective surface; and a fluidic system disposed on the substrate, the manifold having at least one fluid path in communication with at least a discrete region of the surface, wherein the one fluid path and the discrete region together define a contained sample region on the surface. The fluidic system has a removable portion, wherein the removal of the removable portion of the fluidic system renders the discrete region directly interrogatable by a surface-based analytical tool.

The invention provides novel compositions and methods for the analysis of gene expression (e.g., expression profiling) using microarray-based technology. In some embodiments of the invention, the novel methods use gene-specific as well as universal amplification primers during sample preparation, and the methods permit the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples on the same microarray. Furthermore, some embodiments of the invention incorporate barcode sequences into the amplified products, thereby permitting the use of generic arrays and generic labeled probes.

The present invention discloses a rice whole genome SNP chip and an application thereof. A method for preparing the chip comprises: (1) obtaining a first class of probes on a chip, wherein sequencing is performed to obtain a parental genome sequence, resequencing data of other rice varieties in a public database are combined, a Nipponbare genome is adopted as a reference sequence, a MAQ software is adopted to match and analyze all the sequencing data, and finally a SNP marker is screened; (2) obtaining a second class of probes on the chip, wherein a rice function gene is obtained from the public database, sequence difference reflecting gene function is searched, and a SNP / INDEL probe is designed according to the sequence difference; (3) adopting an infinium chip manufacturing technology to produce a SNP chip; and (4) testing accuracy and application efficiency of the chip. The chip of the present invention can be applicable for rice germplasm resource molecule marker fingerprint analysis, seed authenticity detection, filial generation genotyping, and other related researches.

A method of providing a prognosis of lung cancer is conducted by analyzing the expression-of a group of genes. Gene expression profiles in a variety of medium such as microarrays are included as are kits that contain them.

Described herein are automated, integrated microfluidic device comprising a chemical reaction chip comprising for performing chemical reaction, a microscale column integrated with the chip and configured for liquid flow from the column to at least one flow channel, and wherein the fluid flow into the column is controlled by on-chip valves; and comprising at least two on-chip valves for controlling fluid flow in the microfluidic device.

Methods, compositions, kits, and apparatus are provided wherein the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase system is used to analyze amino acids. The method allows very small devices for quantitative or semi-quantitative analysis of the amino acids in samples or in sequential or complete proteolytic digestions. The methods can be readily applied to the detection and / or quantitation of one or more primary amino acids by using cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and cognate tRNA. The basis of the method is that each of the 20 synthetases and / or a tRNA specific for a different amino acid is separated spatially or differentially labeled. The reactions catalyzed by all 20 synthetases may be monitored simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, or in parallel. Each separately positioned synthetase or tRNA will signal its cognate amino acid. The synthetase reactions can be monitored using continuous spectroscopic assays. Alternatively, since elongation factor Tu:GTP (EF-Tu:GTP) specifically binds all AA-tRNAs, the aminoacylation reactions catalyzed by the synthetases can be monitored using ligand assays. Microarrays and microsensors for amino acid analysis are provided. Additionally, amino acid analysis devices are integrated with protease digestions to produce miniaturized enzymatic sequenators capable of generating either N- or C-terminal sequence and composition data for a protein or peptide. The possibility of parallel processing of many samples in an automated manner is discussed.

A single integrated-circuit color camera chip is color sensitive by grouping closely-adjoining light-detecting cells in a photodiode array into triplets. Each pixel of the sensor includes both a read transistor and a write transistor. Each cells in the triplet is similar, but each cell is associated with a color filter of a different color, with red, green or blue cells in an R-G-B system. The proximity and small size of the cells in a triplet allows accurate color differentiation each pixel. Color information is adjusted on-chip for color, brightness and contrast before being sent to an external read device or display device. The color filter is a series of passive layers formed on the integrated circuit surface permitting the selective transmission of light or electromagnetic radiation of certain frequency ranges. The filter may be coated onto a semiconductor wafer after the latter has undergone conventional MOS process steps.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.

Methods for detecting in a single assay any one of multiple chromosomal disorders that result from aneuploidy or certain mutations, particularly microdeletions, and kits for use therein. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is carried out to amplify eukaryotic genomic DNA using a plurality of primer oligonucleotide pairs wherein one primer of each pair has a detectable label attached 5′ thereto. A plurality of the primer pairs are targeted to DNA segments of different chromosomes of interest which are indicative of potential chromosomal disorders, and one pair is targeted for a control gene. The amplified PCR products are purified, and single-stranded DNA having the detectable labels is obtained therefrom and hybridized with spots on a microarray that each contain DNA oligonucleotide probes having nucleotide sequences complementary to a nucleotide sequence of one strand of each segment. The microarray is imaged for presence of labels on its respective spots, and the absence or presence of chromosomal disorders as indicated by one or more of the targeted DNA segments of interest is diagnosed by first comparing the imaging results to the imaging of spots specific to the control gene and then to results obtained from imaging normal DNA.