Affymetrix has received US Patent No. 7,144,699, “Iterative resequencing.” The patent claims iterative methods of analyzing a target nucleic acid that represents a variant of a reference nucleic acid. According to the patent’s abstract, an array of probes is designed to be complementary to an estimated sequence of a target nucleic acid and then hybridized to the target nucleic acid. The target sequence is re-estimated from hybridization pattern of the array to the target nucleic acid. A further array of probes is then designed to be complementary to the re-estimated sequence, and this array is used to obtain a further re-estimate of the sequence of the target nucleic acid. By performing iterative cycles of array design and target sequence estimation, the estimated sequence of the target converges with the true sequence, the abstract claims.
BioArray Solutions, University of Missouri, Affymetrix
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BioArray Solutions of Warren, NJ, has received US Patent No. 7,144,119, “System and method for programmable illumination pattern generation.” The patent claims an apparatus that can provide programmable illumination pattern generation for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules in suspension between electrodes. The apparatus implements light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces [LEAPS] to generate patterns of illumination and project then onto planar surfaces. This enables the creation of patterns using graphical design or drawing software on a personal computer and the projection of the patterns onto an interface using a liquid crystal display panel and an optical design that images the LCD panel onto the surface of interest.
The University of Missouri, Columbia, has received US Patent No. 7,144,701, “High-throughput methods for detecting DNA methylation.” The patent describes a method of differential methylation hybridization for high-throughput methylation analysis of multiple CpG island loci. The DMH utilizes nucleic acid probes prepared from a cell sample to screen numerous CpG dinucleotide-rich fragments affixed on a screening array, the patent’s abstract states. Positive hybridization signals then indicate the presence of methylated sites. Methods of preparing the hybridization probes and screening array are also claimed.