Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics Gmbh

F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ag

Mario Curcio

Carlo S Effenhauser

Martin Kopp

Edwin Oosterbroek

Stephan Korner

Michael Glauser

Rijk Edwin Oosterbroek

Brigitte Niederberger

Micheal Glauser

Centrifugal force based microfluidic systems for the automated analysis of fluids involving the use of magnetically responsive particles and methods thereof are disclosed. A magnet is fixed to a supporting device of the system in correspondence to a retention zone of the system so as to rotate therewith and to generate a magnetic field which magnetically manipulates the magnetically responsive particles contained in a reaction chamber of the system.

Centrifugal force based microfluidic system and method for the automated analysis of samples

A microfluidic device is provided including at least one chamber accessible by microfluidic channels characterized in that the surface of the channels and the chambers are patterned and comprise hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas. The surface energy in correspondence of the areas, i.e., the capillary force, being such that a liquid can be guided along the hydrophilic path, enter the chamber from one side, wet part of one surface of the chamber as a thin layer without touching the opposite surface of the chamber, thus avoiding to fill the volume inside the chamber in correspondence of the hydrophilic pattern until a second liquid, either sequentially or in parallel, comes to wet part of the opposite surface of the chamber and eventually touches the first liquid layer, resulting in a sudden coalescence and efficient mixing between the liquids.

Micro chamber

A biochemical assay is provided comprising a substrate being capable of binding at least a target analyte and eventually other constituents contained in a biological sample, a test zone on the substrate for sample application, a non-immobilized conjugate reagent provided in the test zone for labeling the analyte, the conjugate reagent being capable of specific binding to the analyte but remaining unbound to the substrate, and a flow path for transporting a washing liquid through the test zone and washing an excess of unbound conjugate reagent away from the test zone. The test zone is also a detection area for detecting the labeled analyte.

Biochemical assay

Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.

Integrated 2D gel electrophoresis method and system

A device providing an arrangement for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reasons based on multidimensional gel electrophoresis and method thereof are disclosed. The separation involves a first separation in a first dimension of the device on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second dimension of the device on the basis of molecular size. At least two gel strips for the first dimension separation step and a corresponding gel for the second dimension separation step are provided. The two gel strips are arranged on a single carrier either on the same side or on opposite sides. By having at least two gel strips arranged in such a manner at least two analytical processes can be executed in parallel on the single carrier without the use of valves.

Comparative multidimensional gel electrophoresis

An arrangement for two-dimensional separation of a complex analyte mixture is provided comprising a first separation device for the separation in a first dimension and a second device for the separation in the second dimension. In the area of the interface between the first and the second device a concentration zone is arranged for concentrating the individual sample fractions or components, respectively, leaving the first device before introduction into the second device. The concentration zone is defined in a segment between two or more electrodes seen in flow direction of the sample or sample fractions to be separated. The concentration is achieved by applying a voltage between two electrodes with polarity opposite to the charge of the components of the fraction, sufficiently strong to win the dragging force of the hydrodynamic flow. The introduction into the second device is carried out by turning off the potential difference between the electrodes.

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Sins, Switzerland

Mario Curcio