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 a variety of microfluidic devices and methods for conducting assays and syntheses. The devices include a solid substrate layer having a surface that is capable of attaching ligand and or anti-ligand, and an elastomeric layer attached to said surface. Preferred embodiments have deflectable membrane valves and pumps, for example, rotary pumps associated therewith.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for detecting a target nucleotide sequence by tagging the nucleotide sequence with a nucleotide tag, providing a probe oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm1, comprising a regulatory sequence and a nucleotide tag recognition sequence; incorporating the probe oligonucleotide into the tagged polynucleotide in a polynucleotide amplification reaction, providing a regulatory oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm2, comprising a sequence segment that is at least partially complementary to the regulatory sequence, amplifying the tagged target nucleic acid sequence in a PCR amplification reaction using the probe oligonucleotide as a primer, and detecting the amplification product; wherein Tm1 and Tm2 are higher than the annealing temperature associated with the polynucleotide amplification reaction.
Abstract:
New high density microfluidic devices and methods provide precise metering of fluid volumes and efficient mixing of the metered volumes. A first solution is introduced into a segment of a flow channel in fluidic communication with a reaction chamber. A second solution is flowed through the segment so that the first solution is displaced into the reaction chamber, and a volume of the second solution enters the chamber. The chamber can then be isolated and reactions within the chamber can be initiated and/or detected. High throughput methods of genetic analysis can be carried out with greater accuracy than previously available.
Abstract:
In certain embodiments, the invention provides amplification methods in which nucleotide tag(s) and a barcode nucleotide sequence are added to target nucleotide sequences. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a plurality of first input lines and a plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device also includes a plurality of sets of first chambers and a plurality of sets of second chambers. Each set of first chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first input lines. Each set of second chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of first pump elements in fluid communication with a first portion of the plurality of second input lines and a plurality of second pump elements in fluid communication with a second portion of the plurality of second input lines.
Abstract:
The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or detection of particles, such as cells and/or beads. The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or analysis of particles, such as cells, viruses, organelles, beads, and/or vesicles. The invention also provides microfluidic mechanisms for carrying out these manipulations and analysis. These mechanisms may enable controlled input, movement/positioning, retention/localization, treatment, measurement, release, and/or output of particles. Furthermore, these mechanisms may be combined in any suitable order and/or employed for any suitable number of times within a system. Accordingly, these combinations may allow particles to be sorted, cultured, mixed, treated, and/or assayed, among others, as single particles, mixed groups of particles, arrays of particles, heterogeneous particle sets, and/or homogeneous particle sets, among others, in series and/or in parallel. In addition, these combinations may enable microfluidic systems to be reused. Furthermore, these combinations may allow the response of particles to treatment to be measured on a shorter time scale than was previously possible. Therefore, systems of the invention may allow a broad range of cell and particle assays, such as drug screens, cell characterizations, research studies, and/or clinical analysis, among others, to be scaled down to microfluidic size. Such scaled-down assays may use less sample and reagent, may be less labor intensive, and/or may be more informative than comparable macrofluidic assays.
Abstract:
A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.
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:
An M×N 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.