Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Mj Research, Inc.

Michael J Finney

Jeffrey A Goldman

Igor Kordunsky

Paul Titcomb

John R Linton

Yan Wang

Peter B Vander Horn

Corey E Nislow

Bruce R Turner

Daniel E Sullivan

David Cohen

Sean Rubin

Charles P Andre

Alexis Vira

William D Bowers

Fan Chen

John D Finney

A fluorescence detection apparatus for analyzing samples located in a plurality of wells in a thermal cycler and methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure attachable to the thermal cycler and a detection module movably mountable on the support structure. The detection module includes one or more channels, each having an excitation light generator and an emission light detector both disposed within the detection module. When the support structure is attached to the thermal cycler and the detection module is mounted on the support structure, the detection module is movable so as to be positioned in optical communication with different ones of the plurality of wells. The detection module is removable from the support structure to allow easy replacement.

Systems and methods for fluorescence detection with a movable detection module

This invention provides a method of detecting polymorphisms, e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), by amplification and error correction. The invention encompasses methods of performing amplification and error correction using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases, and methods of multiplexing the assay. The improvement to the polymerases is the joining of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the ability of the enzyme to bind and catalytically modify the nucleic acid.

Parallel polymorphism scoring by amplification and error correction

The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette to cast electrophoresis gels and to separate and analyze molecular components by electrophoresis. The electrophoresis cassette comprises a top plate assembly, a spacer and a bottom plate. The top plate assembly is seated to the bottom plate with the spacer there between to define a thickness of the electrophoresis cassette and to seal an outer perimeter of the assembly. The top plate assembly includes a cathode reservoir connected to a first terminal end of a central plate, and an anode reservoir connected to a second terminal end of the central plate. When the electrophoresis cassette is assembled, the cathode and anode reservoirs are in alignment with the first and second terminal ends of the central plate to facilitate formation of leak-proof seals between the reservoirs and the assembly components. An embodiment of the invention provides a plurality of sample wells incorporated with the cathode reservoir and constructed of rigid, electrically non-conducting material to provide a hard-well sample loading site for uniform and consistent sample injection. Another embodiment provides a mechanical biasing system incorporated with a cathode reservoir body to bias the assembly components together. The invention also provides a method of casting electrophoresis gels with the electrophoresis cassette provided herein.

Electrophoresis assembly and method of casting electrophoresis gels

A sample cartridge block that includes a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The third plate is thermally connected to the first plate and the second plate. In some embodiments, the block is capable of holding a relatively high density of sample cartridges. In certain embodiments, the block provides good sample temperature stability while the sample temperature is held constant or while the sample temperature is being changed. According to the invention, a sample block may include one material or more than one material. Preferably, a sample cartridge block has a relatively low thermal mass. In some embodiments, the first plate of a sample cartridge block may have a larger surface area than the surface area of the third plate. According to the present invention, the first plate of the sample cartridge block may be thermally connected to a temperature controller. In certain embodiments, a sample cartridge block may have a relatively large surface area in contact with a temperature controller.

Sample cartridge slide block

A sheet of material seals vessels for biochemical reactions which undergo thermal cycling, and comprises a multilayer composite sheet which is placed over the openings of one or more reaction vessels. The multilayer composite sheet material has at least two layers, one layer providing strength and integrity to the material and the second layer being relatively thick comprising a deformable substance with a tacky surface to contact and seal vessels for biochemical reactions.

Sealing device for thermal cycling vessels

A gel electrophoresis apparatus for separating DNA molecules of high molecular weight having means for generating at least two electric fields oriented transversely to each other, and a gel box, shaped, and contoured to simultaneously form both the electric fields into uniform electric fields.

Constrained uniform field gel electrophoresis

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Michael J Finney