The California Institute of Technology of Pasadena has received US Patent No. 8,354,231, "Methods and systems for detecting and/or sorting targets." The methods provided are based on the combined use of polynucleotide-encoded protein and substrate polynucleotides. Polynucleotide-encoded proteins consist of proteins that specifically bind to a predetermined target as well as an encoding polynucleotide that specifically binds to a substrate polynucleotide that is attached to a substrate. According to the patent, labeled polynucleotides complementary to target polynucleotides, substrate polynucleotides, and polynucleotide-encoded antibodies are combined to form complexes that are hybridized with samples containing targets. The labeled polynucleotide-target polynucleotide complexes and the polynucleotide-encoded antibody target complexes are then detected.
BioScale of Lexington, Mass., has received US Patent No. 8,354,280, "Reusable detection surfaces and methods of using same." The provided method includes introducing a sample that contains magnetic particles and an analyte into a fluid chamber. According to the patent, this chamber includes a detection surface consisting of an acoustic device with a vibrating membrane and a first capture agent linked to the detection surface. The sample, meantime, contains magnetic particles functionalized with a second capture agent that are capable of binding to the analyte. After this first binding is detected, a flow of solution is directed over the detection surface for removing the non-analyte tag molecules from the first capture agents while the first capture agents remain linked to the detection surface so that the first capture agents are reusable.
Digital Genomics of Seoul, Korea, has received US Patent No. 8,354,307, "Method for detecting biomolecules electrically and biochip therefor." According to this patent, the presence or the reaction of a biomolecule may be detected by monitoring changes of electrical properties related to the biological, biochemical, or chemical reactions of the biomolecules. A biochip is provided to support such detection, where the reaction of the target sample is performed under known reaction solution, in which a reference fluid having a high dielectric constant such as water is filled into a reaction chamber before the reaction to measure an impedance value or a capacitance value, and, after completing the reaction, the reaction solution is removed and the fluid is refilled to measure an impedance value or a capacitance value. These measurements are later compared.
Lawrence Livermore National Security of Livermore, Calif., has received US Patent No. 8,354,514, "Multiplex detection of agricultural pathogens." The patent claims methods for detecting agricultural pathogens in a sample. Primer and probe sets have been designed and optimized for use in a PCR-based, multiplexed Luminex assay or an array-based assay to successfully identify the presence or absence of pathogens. In one embodiment, a kit is provided to detect the presence or absence of porcine pathogens such as foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine respiratory reproductive syndrome virus, swine vesicular disease virus, vesicular exaanthema of swine virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus.
Allelogic Biosciences of Hayward, Calif., has received US Patent No. 8,354,523, "Oligonucleotide probes and uses thereof." Dually labeled oligonucleotide probes and methods of preparing and using such probes are provided. According to the inventors, these probes are particularly useful for high-sensitive nucleic acid detection via hybridization assays including but not limited to template-directed polymerization reactions.
Maven Technologies of Monrovia, Calif., has received US Patent No. 8,355,133, "Biological testing with sawtooth-shaped prisms." An apparatus is provided for testing for the presence of analytes in a sample. The apparatus includes a source of light directed at the bottom surface of a substrate to achieve total internal reflection and to generate an evanescent field. An array of capture elements is immobilized on the top surface of the substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate is configured as a sawtooth, in cross section, with the teeth aligned with the rows or the columns in the array. According to the patent, the outer faces of the sawtooth prisms are non-parallel to the substrate top surface, and specific requirements are imposed on the prism light-entrance face, and the substrate thickness and refractive index.