System, method, and computer software product for specifying a scanning area of a substrate
Granted: September 7, 2004
Patent Number:
6789040
Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for specifying a scanning area of a substrate. In accordance with one method, steps include receiving location data corresponding to a plurality of probe-feature locations on the substrate, storing the location data, accessing the location data, and scanning the substrate based on the accessed location data. A scanning system is described that includes a computer, a scanner, and a computer program product. The product, when…
Photoactivatable silane compounds and methods for their synthesis and use
Granted: August 10, 2004
Patent Number:
6773888
In one aspect of the invention, photoactivatable silane compounds and methods for their synthesis and use are provided. In one embodiment, the photoactivatable silane compounds synthesized are represented by a formula: PG-LS-SN, wherein PG is a photoactivatable group, LS is a linkage and spacer group, and SN is a silane group. The silanes allow the photoactivatable silane compounds to be covalently bound to the surface of a substrate such as silica. The photoactivatable group forms a…
Chemical amplification for the synthesis of patterned arrays
Granted: August 3, 2004
Patent Number:
6770436
Radiation-activated catalysts (RACs), autocatalytic reactions, and protective groups are employed to achieve a highly sensitive, high resolution, radiation directed combinatorial synthesis of pattern arrays of diverse polymers. When irradiated, RACs produce catalysts that can react with enhancers, such as those involved in autocatalytic reactions. The autocatalytic reactions produce at least one product that removes protecting groups from synthesis intermediates. This invention has a…
Determining signal transduction pathways
Granted: June 8, 2004
Patent Number:
6746844
Experimental and analytical methods enable reconstruction of signal transduction networks from gene expression profiles. Signal transduction pathways can be reverse-engineered by 1) experimentally manipulating individual genes, 2) generating cellular expression profiles, and 3) analyzing for common patterns among these profiles. Analysis of patterns among profiles permits reconstruction of pathways and networks of interrelationships among genes and their products.
Methods for polymer synthesis
Granted: June 8, 2004
Patent Number:
6747143
A method and apparatus for preparation of a substrate containing a plurality of sequences. Photoremovable groups are attached to a surface of a substrate. Selected regions of the substrate are exposed to light so as to activate the selected areas. A monomer, also containing a photoremovable group, is provided to the substrate to bind at the selected areas. The process is repeated using a variety of monomers such as amino acids until sequences of a desired length are obtained. Detection…
Functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use
Granted: June 1, 2004
Patent Number:
6743882
Provided are functionalized silicon compounds and methods for their synthesis and use. The functionalized silicon compounds include at least one activated silicon group and at least one derivatizable functional group. Exemplary derivatizable functional groups include hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl and thio, as well as modified forms thereof, such as activated or protected forms. The functionalized silicon compounds may be covalently attached to surfaces to form functionalized surfaces which…
Method and apparatus for detection of fluorescently labeled materials
Granted: May 25, 2004
Patent Number:
6741344
Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.
Computer-aided visualization and analysis system for sequence evaluation
Granted: May 11, 2004
Patent Number:
6733964
A computer system for analyzing nucleic acid sequences is provided. The computer system is used to perform multiple methods for determining unknown bases by analyzing the fluorescence intensities of hybridized nucleic acid probes. The results of individual experiments are improved by processing nucleic acid sequences together. Comparative analysis of multiple experiments is also provided by displaying reference sequences in one area and sample sequences in another area on a display…
Expression monitoring for gene function identification
Granted: May 11, 2004
Patent Number:
6733969
This invention provides methods, compositions and apparatus for mapping the regulatory relationship among genes by massive parallel monitoring gene expression. In some embodiments, mutations in the up-stream regulatory genes are detected by monitoring the change in down-stream gene expression. Similarly, the function of a specific mutation in a up-stream gene is determined by monitoring the down-stream gene expression. In addition, regulatory function of a target gene can be determined…
Hybridization device and method
Granted: May 11, 2004
Patent Number:
6733977
A body 300 having a cavity 310 for mounting a substrate 120 fabricated with probe sequences at known locations according to the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 and PCT WO 92/10092 or others, is provided. The cavity includes inlets 350 and 360 for introducing selected fluids into the cavity to contact the probes. Accordingly, a commercially feasible device for use in high throughput assay systems is provided.
Methods for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays
Granted: April 13, 2004
Patent Number:
6720149
Methods for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays by providing a biological chip plate comprising a plurality of test wells, each test well having a biological chip having a molecular probe array; introducing samples into the test wells; subjecting the biological chip plate to manipulation by a fluid handling device that automatically performs steps to carry out reactions between target molecules in the samples and probes; and subjecting the biological chip plate to a…
Cartridge washing system and methods
Granted: April 6, 2004
Patent Number:
6715500
A washing system comprises a support for holding several cartridges. Each cartridge has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Wash blocks are movably coupled to the support, each having two needles for penetrating the inlet and the outlet of a respective cartridge when the wash blocks are moved towards the support. Tubing is coupled to the needles for flowing liquid through the chamber of the cartridge.
Identification of alleles
Granted: March 23, 2004
Patent Number:
6709816
A method for determining the genotype of one or more individuals at a polymorphic locus employs amplification of a region of DNA using primers containing tags and hybridization of the products to one or more probes on a solid support. The genotype or ratio of alleles is identified from the pattern of hybridization. The method can also be used to determine the frequency of different alleles in a population.
Device and methods for mixing fluids
Granted: March 16, 2004
Patent Number:
6705754
The invention provides exemplary devices, systems and methods for mixing of fluids, such as biological fluids. One exemplary device comprises is particularly adapted for holding at least one cartridge having a chamber containing a biological fluid, with the chamber having a generally planar face. The device comprises a rotatable body having a rotational axis. The rotatable body includes at least one mounting element which is adapted to mount the rotatable body such that the face of the…
Products and methods for analyzing nucleic acids including identification of substitutions, insertions and deletions
Granted: March 2, 2004
Patent Number:
6699659
Systems and methods for detecting monomer changes in a sample when an unknown quantity of expected monomers may also be present. Homogeneous and heterogeneous samples are exposed to polymer probes for hybridization. The hybridization affinities of the polymer probes to the samples are then compared to determine differences between the polymers in the samples. Accordingly, deletion, substitution and insertion mutations may be detected in a heterogeneous sample of nucleic acids.
System, method, and product for development and maintenance of database-related software applications
Granted: February 17, 2004
Patent Number:
6694321
A schema-isolated system is disclosed for developing, modifying, or maintaining client applications that accesses target databases. The system includes a middleware-table inserter that inserts middleware tables into the target database. The middleware tables include a set of compatibility data relating one or more client-application data requests with one or more corresponding target-database data capabilities. The middleware tables also include a data communication component. This…
Method and apparatus for providing an expression data mining database
Granted: February 3, 2004
Patent Number:
6687692
According to the invention, a system and method for organizing expression information in a way that facilitates data mining. A database model is provided which may organize information relating to, e.g., sample preparation, expression analysis of experiment results, and intermediate and final results of mining expression and concentration results. The model is readily translatable into database languages such as SQL and the like. The database model scales to permit mining of expression…
Methods and compositions for multiplex amplification of nucleic acids
Granted: January 6, 2004
Patent Number:
6673579
A method is described for predetermining ratios of primer pairs present in a single reaction vessel so as to achieve approximately equimolar yield of products. The ratios are determined as a function of the length of the amplicon and the length of other amplicons being simultaneously tested. The primers may desirably be for p53 gene sequences.
Method for detecting transcription templates
Granted: December 30, 2003
Patent Number:
6670122
Methods are provided for detecting the sense and antisense transcripts and for determining template strand of a genomic DNA. Exemplary methods include reverse transcribing transcripts without second strand synthesis. The resulting single stranded DNA is labeled and detected using nucleic acid probe arrays. In a particularly embodiment, actinomycin is used to inhibit the synthesis of second strand cDNA during reverse transcription.
Printing oligonucleotide arrays
Granted: December 23, 2003
Patent Number:
6667394
A method and apparatus for selectively applying a print material onto a substrate for the synthesis of an array of oligonucleotides at selected regions of a substrate. The print material includes a barrier material, a monomer sequence, a nucleoside, a deprotection agent, a carrier material, among other materials. The method and apparatus also relies upon standard DMT based chemistry, and a vapor phase deprotection agent such as solid TCA and the like.
