Illumina has received US Patent No. 7,033,754, "Decoding of array sensors with microspheres." The patent claims a substrate with discrete sites distributed on the surface of the substrate. The sites on the surface comprise a population of microspheres with at least a first and a second subpopulation, according to the patent's abstract. Each subpopulation includes a bioactive agent and an identifier-binding ligand that will bind a decoder-binding ligand to elucidate the identity of the bioactive agent, the abstract states. Methods of making an array composition as outlined are also claimed.
Illumina has also received US Patent No. 7,035,740, "Artificial intelligence and global normalization methods for genotyping." The patent claims a method of normalizing genetic data for n loci, where n is an integer greater than one. According to the patent, the method includes: (a) obtaining genetic data comprising n sets of first and second signal values related in a coordinate system, where the first and second signal values are indicative of the levels of a first and second allele, respectively, at n loci; (b) identifying a set of sweep points in the coordinate system; (c) identifying a set of control points, with the control points comprising at least a subset of signal values that are proximal to sweep points; (d) projecting the control points to a line or curve passing through the sweep points to form set points; (e) determining the parameters of a registration transformation equation based on the set of control points and set points; and (f) transforming n sets of first and second signal values according to the registration transformation equation and parameters, finally normalizing the genetic data.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has received US Patent No. 7,033,757, "Mutation scanning array, and methods of use thereof." The patent claims a method for SNP and mutation scanning by: (a) identifying a DNA segment containing mismatches; (b) selecting a DNA segment from about 50,300 nucleotides containing a mismatch; (c) amplifying the segment by PCR, if needed, and then screening it on to a DNA chip to determine which genes these DNA fragments belong to.
Eastman Kodak of Rochester, NY, has received US Patent No. 7,034,941, "Color detection using spectroscopic imaging and processing in random array of microspheres." The patent claims a method of determining one or more color characteristics of a colored microsphere. According to the patent's abstract, a microarray of microspheres is provided, and at least one colored microsphere that has a color characteristic is provided. A magnified optical image of individual microspheres of the microarray is then produced, and a microsphere is located in the aperture of a spectrometer to confine the color region of interest of the microsphere in order to determine one or more color characteristics by means of the spectrometer.
Aperio Technologies of Vista, Calif., has received US Patent No. 7,035,478, "System and method for data management in a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner." The patent claims a data management system and method for processing, storing, and viewing the extremely large imagery data that is rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner. The system can receive, process, and store imagery data produced by the linear-array-based microscope slide scanner at approximately 3 GB per minute, according to the patent. The system employs standard image file formats and can be used for the analysis of high-value specimens such as tissue arrays.