University System of Maryland

Canon U.s.a., Inc.

Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.

Kunal R Pandit

Ian M White

Srinivasa R Raghavan

Imaly Nanayakkara

Weidong Cao

Jeffrey Burke

The present invention relates to a method for concentrating a biological sample containing nucleic acids by using magnetic chitosan microparticles and subsequently performing a PCR reaction on the nucleic acids captured on the microparticles. The chitosan microparticles added to the biological sample at a PCR compatible pH are mechanically agitated to provide for cell lysis and simultaneous DNA capture, and then serve as a solid support for the nucleic acid template during the PCR reaction. As the chitosan microparticles are utilized for lysis and the nucleic acids do not need to be removed from the microparticles before PCR, the ease of the sample preparation procedure is dramatically improved.

Single-step DNA preparation for polymerase chain reaction using magnetic chitosan microparticles

The invention relates to a method and system for generating droplets of an aqueous solution on a microfluidic chip with an air continuous phase. Specifically, the droplet generator according to the present invention is integrated into a microfluidic chip to generate and introduce droplets of an aqueous solution into the microfluidic chip. The droplets travelling in a network of chip channels may be captured in on-chip traps in a manner defined by hydrodynamic resistances of chip channels. A biological reaction may be performed on a droplet trapped on the microfluidic chip.

Generation and trapping of aqueous droplets in a microfluidic chip with an air continuous phase

The present invention relates generally to the use of a class of surfactants for emulsion and droplet polymerase chain reaction ('PCR') mixtures. The class of surfactants consists of those having the chemical formula R&#x2014;(OCHCH)&#x2014;OH, wherein R is an alkyl group consisting of 12 to 18 carbons and n is 2 to 25. The present invention also relates to methods, devices, systems, and kits incorporating the above-described class of surfactants.

Methods, devices and systems for emulsion/droplet PCR

The present invention relates to methods and systems for cell lysis in a microfluidic device. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for rapid continuous flow mechanical cell lysis. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device includes one or more microfluidic channels, each channel comprising constricted regions and non-constricted regions separating the constricted regions, wherein the constricted regions are configured to disrupt the cellular membranes of cells in fluid flowing through the one or more microfluidic channels.

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Laurel, MD, United States of America

Kunal R Pandit