Bio-Rad Laboratories has been awarded US Patent No. 8,236,504, "Systems and methods for fluorescence detection with a movable detection module."
Igor Kordunsky, Jeffrey Goldman, and Michael Finney are named as inventors on the patent.
Describes a fluorescence detection apparatus for analyzing samples located in a plurality of wells in a thermal cycler, and methods of use. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure attachable to the thermal cycler and a detection module movably mountable on the support structure. The detection module includes one or more channels, each having an excitation light generator and an emission light detector both disposed within the detection module. When the support structure is attached to the thermal cycler and the detection module is mounted on the support structure, the detection module is movable so as to be positioned in optical communication with different wells. The detection module is removable from the support structure to allow easy replacement.
Akonni Biosystems has been awarded US Patent No. 8,236,501 and 8,236,533, both entitled "Apparatus, system, and method for purifying nucleic acids."
Phillip Belgrader is named as inventor on the patents.
The patents describe methods and devices for isolating nucleic acids from a mixture containing nucleic acids and extraneous matter. In one embodiment, the method comprises passing the mixture through a glass frit under conditions effective to separate the nucleic acids from the extraneous matter. In a more specific embodiment, the glass frit is a sintered glass frit.
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research has been awarded US Patent No. 8,234,079, "Method and/or apparatus of oligonucleotide design and/or nucleic acid detection."
Christopher Wong, Wing-Kin Sung, Charlie Lee, and Lance Miller are named as inventors on the patent.
Provides a method of designing at least one oligonucleotide for nucleic acid detection. The method comprises the following steps in any order: (I) identifying and/or selecting region(s) of at least one target nucleic acid to be amplified having a higher-than-average efficiency of amplification; and (II) designing at least one oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to the selected region(s). The patent also provides a method of detecting at least one target nucleic acid comprising the steps of: (I) providing at least one biological sample; (II) amplifying nucleic acid(s) comprised in the sample; (III) providing at least one oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to at least one target nucleic acid, if present in the biological sample; and (IV) contacting the oligonucleotide(s) with the amplified nucleic acids and detecting the oligonucleotide(s) hybridized to the target nucleic acid(s). In particular, the method is for detecting the presence of at least one pathogen, for example a virus, in at least one human biological sample. The probes may be placed on a support, for example a microarray.
Tsinghua University and Hon Hai Precision Industry have been awarded US Patent No. 8,232,097, "Thermal cycler."
Peng Liu, Li Fan, and Li Quan are named as inventors on the patent.
Discloses a thermal cycler that includes a bearing element, a heating element, a first cooling element, and a temperature controller. The bearing element carries at least one reaction mixture. The heating element raises the temperature of the reaction mixture. The heating element includes a housing, at least one carbon nanotube structure, and a pair of electrodes. The carbon nanotube structure and the pair of electrodes are accommodated in the housing. The pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure. The first cooling element cools the temperature of the reaction mixture. The temperature controller is electrically connected to the heating element and the first cooling element. The temperature controller controls the operation of the heating element and the first cooling element.
The Research Foundation of the State University of New York has been awarded US Patent No. 8,231,844, "Method and device for manipulating liquids in microfluidic systems."
Vera Gorfinkel and Evgeni Kabotyanski are named as inventors on the patent.
Relates to microfluidic systems having components with specially designed and fabricated areas of enhanced and/or reduced capillarity, or flow guides. The methods and devices permit the bubble-less dispensing and mixing of small volumes of different liquids for subsequent incubation and/or detection of products of various biological reactions. Thus, the invention is well-suited to applications such as PCR and capillary electrophoresis.