Abstract:
Reagents and methods are provided for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for producing a labeled amplification product by amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence to produce an amplification product comprising the target sequence, a first probe-binding sequence 5' to the target sequence, and a second probe-binding sequence 3' to the target sequence, thereby producing an amplification product; and hybridizing a first detection probe to the amplification product, said first detection probe comprising a first segment that hybridizes to the first probe-binding sequence and a second segment that hybridizes to the second probe-binding sequence, thereby producing a labeled amplification product is disclosed.
Abstract:
Kits, primers, and methods are provided herein for detecting relative target source to reference source ratios in a biological sample, by distributing the biological sample into discrete subsamples, wherein the biological sample includes, a plurality of target molecules on a target source; and a plurality of reference molecules on a reference source; providing target primers directed to one or more of the plurality of target molecules and reference primers directed to one or more of the plurality of reference molecules; performing digital amplification with the target primers and the reference primers; and detecting the presence or absence of amplified target products with target probes and detecting the presence or absence of amplified reference products with reference probes, wherein the ratio of amplified target products to amplified reference products is indicative of a relative amount of target source to reference source in a biological sample.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for determining relative copy number difference for one or more target nucleic acid sequences between a test sample and a reference sample or reference value derived therefrom. The methods facilitate the detection of copy number differences less than 1.5-fold.
Abstract:
The present invention provides assay methods that increase the number of samples and/or target nucleic acids that can be analyzed in a single assay.
Abstract:
The present invention methods and systems for determining copy number variation of a target polynucleotide in a genome of a subject including amplification based techniques. Methods can include pre-amplification of the sample followed by distribution of sample and a plurality of reaction volumes, quantitative detection of a target polynucleotide and a reference polynucleotide, and analysis so as to determine the relative copy number of the target polynucleotide sequence in the genome of the subject.
Abstract:
A method of adjusting amplification curves in a PCR experiment includes receiving a plurality of amplification curves for a sample and computing a first parameter for each of the plurality of amplification curves. The method also includes computing a second parameter for each of the plurality of amplification curves and computing a third parameter using at least a portion of the first or second parameters. The method further includes computing an offset for each of the plurality of amplification curves. The offset is a function of the first parameter and the third parameter. Moreover, the method includes adjusting at least one of the plurality of amplification curves by subtracting the offset.
Abstract:
The present invention is a robust, microfluidic check valve and a method of using the check valve in microfluidic devices. The check valve is comprised two stacked chambers that are separated by a pore-containing membrane. The membrane is composed of an elastomeric material and can be configured in normally open or normally closed state. The normally open check valve can be implemented so that the degree of back pressure necessary to close the valve can be set. The normally closed embodiment can maintain a closed state with essentially no back pressure. Both the normally open and the normally closed version can be readily produced by multilayer soft lithographic techniques and may retain effective functioning through many thousands of opening and closing cycles without failure. Such check valves can substitute for active valve structures in microfluidic devices and, when appropriately implemented, can simplify the design, manufacture, and/or operation of the devices containing them.
Abstract:
An MxN matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The invention further provides for apparatus and systems for using the microfluidic devices, analyze reactions carried out in the microfluidic devices, and systems to generate, store, organize, and analyze data generated from using the microfluidic devices. The invention further provides methods of using and making microfluidic systems and devices which, in some embodiments, are useful for crystal formation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a platen having a platen face with one or more fluid ports therein. The fluid ports spatially correspond to one or more wells on a surface of the microfluidic device. A platform for holding the microfluidic device relative to the platen is included, and a platen actuator for urging the platen against the microfluidic device so that at least one of the fluid ports of the platen is urged against one of the wells to form a pressure chamber comprising the well and the port, so that when pressurized fluid is introduced or removed into or from the pressure chamber through one of the ports, fluid pressure is changed therein.
Abstract:
High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.