Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Other

Government of the United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce

Alyssa Catharyn Henry

David Judson Ross

Elizabeth Strychalski

Vanessa M Thomas

Christopher Konek

Methods of detecting the presence of toxins in a sample using electrophoretic separations and of performing electrophoretic separation of complex samples are provided. The method of detecting the presence of toxins includes reacting a sample and a substrate with a signaling enzyme which converts the substrate to the product in a reaction medium, introducing a run buffer into a separation channel having an inlet end, selectively introducing at least one of the substrate and the product of the reaction medium into the inlet end of the separation channel, electrophoretically separating the substrate and the product, and determining the rate of conversion of the substrate to the product, wherein a change in the rate of conversion is indicative of the presence of toxins. The method of performing electrophoretic separations of complex samples having charged particulates and oppositely charged analytes comprising introducing a run buffer into a separation channel having an inlet end, selectively introducing the oppositely charged analytes in the complex sample into the separation channel, and electrophoretically separating the charged particulates and the oppositely charged analytes. Additionally, a device for varying with respect to time the bulk flow of a fluid in a separation channel of an electrophoretic device having a buffer reservoir in fluid contact with the separation channel is provided. The device includes a pressure sensor in fluid contact with a buffer reservoir, a high pressure reservoir in selective fluidic communication with the buffer reservoir, a low pressure reservoir in selective fluidic communication with the buffer reservoir and in fluidic communication with the high pressure reservoir, and a pumping device for pumping a gas from the low pressure reservoir to the high pressure reservoir.

Gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis for use with complex samples and detection of toxins

A cell extraction method includes providing a mixed-cell sample having both target cells and non-target cells slurried in a trailing-electrolyte solution. A leading electrolyte solution is provided to contact the trailing electrolyte solution via a capillary and a pressure control device. Focusing of the target cells at an interface between the leading- and trailing-electrolyte solutions occurs by applying pressure to the capillary and concurrently applying an electric potential via electrodes. The target cells are extracted into the capillary by applying a negative pressure and transferred to a receptacle. A cell extraction system for use with a gradient elution isotachophoresis method includes a trailing electrolyte solution adapted to migrate slower than the target cells and a leading electrolyte solution adapted to migrate faster than the target cells. A mixed-cell sample containing the target and non-target cells is slurried in the trailing electrolyte solution prior to cell extraction.

Cell extraction using GEITP

Gradient elution isotachophoretic apparatus, and systems for performing gradient elution isotachophoresis to separate, purify, concentrate, quantify, and/or extract charged analytes from a sample. The isotachophoretic apparatus include an electrophoretic assembly, a sampling assembly connected to the electrophoretic assembly, and/or a support structure connected to the electrophoretic assembly and/or to the sampling assembly. The system includes an isotachophoretic apparatus, and a controller communicatively coupled to the isotachophoretic apparatus. The controller includes a storage medium and a processor for executing computer readable and executable instructions.

Gradient elution isotachophoretic apparatus for separating, purifying, concentrating, quantifying, and/or extracting charged analytes and methods thereof

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Arlington, VA, United States of America

Alyssa Catharyn Henry