Mesa Biotech, Inc.

Los Alamos National Security, LLC

University of California

Advanced Power Technologies, LLC

Hong Cai

Nathan Jeremy Cobb

Michael Mao Wang

Robert B Cary

Conrad Lindberg

Donald J Thomas

Mark Nowakowski

Martin Bouliane

Richard A Keller

Gary R Hoffman

Peter M Goodwin

John P Nolan

Edward S Kwon

Rhiannon L Nolan

P Scott White

Jian Song

One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method for amplifying a template of nucleic acid target sequence contained in a sample. The method includes contacting the sample with an amplification reaction mixture containing a primer complementary to the template of nucleic acid target sequence. A temperature of the reaction is oscillated between an upper temperature and a lower temperature wherein the change in temperature is no greater than about 20° C. during a plurality of temperature cycles. The template of nucleic acid target sequence is amplified.

Oscillating amplification reaction for nucleic acids

An automated method for performing an assay of the present disclosure can be performed in a microfluidic device that is a lateral flow device having numerous features to ensure correct operation of the device under gravity, such as vent pockets for enabling the flow of sample fluid from one chamber to the next when the vent pocket is unsealed. Each chamber can have a reagent recess proximal to an inlet end of the chamber. A reagent pellet formed in a reagent recess can be effectively mixed with a sample as the sample flows into the chamber. A flexible circuit with patterned metallic electrical components disposed on a heat stable material can be in direct contact with fluid in the chambers and has resistive heating elements aligned with, for example, a chamber for performing an amplification reaction. A lateral flow detection chamber can include a capillary pool proximal to a sample receiving end of a lateral flow strip, providing effective mixing and dispersion of a sample with detection particles, as well as enhancing, uniformity of particle migration on the detection strip. The microfluidic device can be configured to be hermetically sealed, thereby preventing contamination of a testing environment.

Automated method for performing an assay

A lateral flow assay device of the present disclosure has numerous features to ensure correct operation of the device under gravity, such as vent pockets for enabling the flow of sample fluid from one chamber to the next when the vent pocket is unsealed. The vent pockets have protrusions to help prevent accidental resealing. The device also can have a gasket to ensure free air movement between open vent pockets. Flow control features that protrude horizontally into a chamber proximal to an outlet act to deflect the flow to the side of the chamber opposite from the outlet, prior to the flow entering the outlet. Such features can reduce the flow velocity of the sample fluid and increase the effective fluid flow path length, enhance mixing of reagents with a sample, and enabling more accurate control of fluid flow in the device. A flexible circuit with patterned metallic electrical components disposed on a heat stable material can be in direct contact with fluid in the chambers and has resistive heating elements aligned with the vent pockets and the chambers.

Fluidic test cassette

One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method for amplifying a template of nucleic acid target sequence contained in a sample. The method includes contacting the sample with an amplification reaction mixture containing a primer complementary to the template of nucleic acid target sequence. A temperature of the reaction is oscillated between an upper temperature and a lower temperature wherein the change in temperature is no greater than about 20&#xb0; C. during a plurality of temperature cycles. The template of nucleic acid target sequence is amplified.

A protective system far a power transformer having a neutral line connected to ground where large currents can flow in the neutral line due to electro-magnetic disturbances. The system includes circuitry for: (a) sensing the current level in the neutral line and whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period; and (b) sensing and processing the harmonic content of the load current and determining the existence of certain relationships of the 'even' and 'odd' harmonics. Signals, including alarms, indicative of excessive conditions are produced. The system may also include circuitry for sensing the load current level and generating a signal alarm if the load level is above a given value when the harmonics and the DC current have values in excess of certain predetermined values.

Method and apparatus for protecting power transformers from large electro-magnetic disturbances

The invention provides a rapid, sensitive and specific nucleic acid detection system which utilizes isothermal nucleic acid amplification in combination with a lateral flow chromatographic device, or DNA dipstick, for DNA-hybridization detection. The system of the invention requires no complex instrumentation or electronic hardware, and provides a low cost nucleic acid detection system suitable for highly sensitive pathogen detection. Hybridization to single-stranded DNA amplification products using the system of the invention provides a sensitive and specific means by which assays can be multiplexed for the detection of multiple target sequences.

Nucleic acid detection system and method for detecting influenza

Background luminescence is reduced from a solution containing unbound luminescent probes, each having a first molecule that attaches to a target molecule and having an attached luminescent moiety, and luminescent probe/target adducts. Quenching capture reagent molecules are formed that are capable of forming an adduct with the unbound luminescent probes and having an attached quencher material effective to quench luminescence of the luminescent moiety. The quencher material of the capture reagent molecules is added to a solution of the luminescent probe/target adducts and binds in a proximity to the luminescent moiety of the unbound luminescent probes to quench luminescence from the luminescent moiety when the luminescent moiety is exposed to exciting illumination. The quencher capture reagent does not bind to probe molecules that are bound to target molecules and the probe/target adduct emission is not quenched.

Quenching methods for background reduction in luminescence-based probe-target binding assays

DNA polymorphism identity determination using flow cytometry. Primers designed to be immobilized on microspheres are allowed to anneal to the DNA strand under investigation, and are extended by either DNA polymerase using fluorescent dideoxynucleotides or ligated by DNA ligase to fluorescent reporter oligonucleotides. The fluorescence of either the dideoxynucleotide or the reporter oligonucleotide attached to the immobilized primer is measured by flow cytometry, thereby identifying the nucleotide polymorphism on the DNA strand.

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Los Alamos, NM, United States of America

Hong Cai