Wake Forest University

University of Oklahoma

Carl Zeiss Nts Gmbh

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Quantapore, Inc.

Adam R Hall

Paul L DeAngelis

Colin Sanford

Emmanuel C Opara

Martin Huber

David C Ferranti

Bason E Clancy

Elaheh Rahbar

Jijin Yang

The present disclosure describes a method of encapsulating cells in a crosslinked alginate microbead using a microfluidic encapsulation device.

Method of encapsulating cells using a microfluidic encapsulation device

In one aspect, methods of biomolecular analysis are described herein. Briefly, a method comprises providing a composition comprising glycosaminoglycans and contacting the composition with a membrane comprising at least one nanopore. An electric field is applied across the nanopore, and data of glycosaminoglycan translocation events through the nanopore are recorded. A molecular weight distribution of the glycosaminoglycans is derived from the data.

Nanopore analysis of glycosaminoglycan compositions

Described are methods of detecting modified nucleotide bases in a DNA sample using specific DNA glycosylases to excise target modified bases. DNA molecules are then labeled using a DNA polymerase lacking 3'&#x2192;5&#x2032; exo-nuclease activity and strand displacement activity. The methods can be used to detect epigenetic changes and DNA damage. Provided are methods for diagnosing a disease or condition, determining risk of a disease or condition, identifying appropriate treatment, monitoring effectiveness of treatment, and monitoring side effects of treatment in subjects based on detection of modified bases. Also provided are methods for determining environmental exposure, or an environmental exposure time, of a biological sample containing DNA. Also provided are kits, systems, and devices for performing the described methods.

Identification of genetic modifications

In one aspect, methods are described herein for the selective detection and quantitative analysis of biological molecule compositions. A method described herein comprises providing a mixture comprising biological molecules, such as DNA, RNA or proteins, complexed with a translocating agent, such as another DNA or protein, and non-complexed biological molecules. The mixture is contacted with a membrane comprising at least one nanopore and an electric field is applied across the nanopore to selectively translocate the biological molecules complexed with the translocating agent through the at least one nanopore. Concentration of the complexed biological molecules is determined based on the translocation rate of said molecules.

Selective analysis of modified biological molecules with solid-state nanopores

Methods for fabricating materials useful for optical detection in microfluidic and nanofluidic devices, such as those used in nanopore-based nucleic acid sequencing are described herein. In certain variations, a method of reducing background fluorescence in a MEMS material may include the step of treating a surface of the MEMS material with a low energy ion beam.

Reducing background fluorescence in MEMS materials by low energy ion beam treatment

In one aspect, methods of nanopore formation in solid state membranes are described herein, In some embodiments, a method of forming an aperture comprises providing at least one solid state membrane in a chamber, selecting a first dose of ions sufficient to provide a first aperture of predetermined diameter through the membrane and exposing a surface of the membrane at a first location to the first dose of ions in a focused ion beam having a focal point of diameter less than or equal to about 1 nm to remove material from the membrane at the first location thereby providing the first aperture having the predetermined diameter or substantially the predetermined diameter.

Growing community of inventors

Clemmons, NC, United States of America

Adam R Hall