Roland Green of Madison, Wis. has received US Patent No. 7,083,975, “Microarray synthesis instrument and method.” The patent claims a flow cell that reduces the undesired reflection of illumination during DNA synthesis by constructing flow cell structures with materials that have similar refractive indexes as that of the solution that is in the oligomer synthesis chamber during the illumination period and/or constructing certain flow cell structures or covering the structures with a layer of a material that has a high extinction coefficient.
Sensorchem International of Toronto has received US Patent No. 7,084,661, “Scanning Kelvin microprobe system and process for analyzing a surface.” The patent claims a scanning Kelvin microprobe system capable of measuring and analyzing surface characteristics of samples. The patent also describes uses of the SKM system in measuring and analyzing surface characteristics of semiconductors, biosensors, and biochemical microarrays.
Hangyang University of Seoul, Korea, has received US Patent No. 7,085,404, “Image analysis system and method of biochip.” The patent claims a biochip image analysis system which comprises an image storage unit for storing images including an original image of a biochip; an image converter for converting the original image into a test image; an edge detector for separating the spot-formed genes from the test image; a data processor for generating statistical data using the spot and background templates; and a data storage unit for storing the statistical data.
Applera has received US Patent No. 7,085,652, “Methods for searching polynucleotide probe targets in databases.” The patent describes methods for determining the binding affinity of a probe to a target or targets in a polynucleotide composite using an automated system. The described methods determine relative binding sites based on thermodynamic principles, using a thermodynamic alphabet and a thermodynamic scoring matrix, with appropriate computer software, such as BLASTP, the patent’s abstract states. Methods for designing polynucleotide probes to be used in hybridization assays, and minimizing the occurrence of cross-hybridization, are also claimed.