Affymetrix has received US Patent No. 7,090,758, “Capillary array electrophoresis scanner.” The patent describes a rotary confocal fluorescence scanner capable of detecting analytes separated on over a 1,000 capillaries simultaneously. This system uses a confocal microscope objective and mirror assembly that rotates inside a vertical ring of capillaries to provide excitation and detection of fluorescently labeled fragments separated within a cylindrical capillary array, according to the patent’s abstract. Use of automated procedures to load and run all capillaries can enable a user to read more than 350,000 base pairs of raw sequence data per hour, the patent claims.
Bioarray Solutions of Warren, NJ, has received US Patent No. 7,090,759, “Apparatus and method for light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces.” The patent claims a method and an apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode, such as silicon oxide, and an electrolyte solution. The patent also describes a set of operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. Also described are methods for sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations, as well as a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components.
Phase-1 Molecular Toxicology of Santa Fe, NM, has received US Patent No. 7,091,033, “Array of toxicologically relevant canine genes and uses thereof.” The patent claims canine genes indicative of toxicological responses to agents such as drugs, pharmaceutical compounds, or chemicals. Methods of identifying and isolating toxicologically relevant canine gene are also claimed. In addition, an array comprising toxicologically relevant canine genes, methods of making a canine gene array, and methods of using a canine gene array in which toxicological responses can analyzed in a rapid and efficient manner are described.
Picoliter of Mountain View, Calif., has received US Patent No. 7,090,333, “Focused acoustic energy in the preparation of peptide arrays.” The patent claims arrays of peptide molecules and the preparation of peptide arrays using focused acoustic energy. The arrays are prepared by acoustically ejecting peptide-containing fluid droplets from individual reservoirs towards designated sites on a substrate for attachment, the patent’s abstract states.