Dxna LLC

Metashield LLC

Advanced Molecular Systems, LLC

William D Bickmore

Danvern Ray Roberts

Jared Hummel

Daniel Esplin

Jerrett A Holdaway

Darryl Zitting

Martin Ben-Dayan

Brent L Weight

Glenn A Mesa, Jr

Michael Dahlby

Paul Day

Puruswottam Aryal

Jacob Schliesser

Jared S Hummel

Silica based compositions that may be used coatings, films or other cast structures, as well as related methods and resulting structures are provided. In one embodiment, a hybrid nanosilica (HNS) composition includes tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), methyl triethoxysilane (MTEOS) and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS). The composition may be used as a coating to provide various types of protection and device performance enhancement. For example, the composition may be used for impact protection or corrosion resistance. In one particular embodiment, optically enhancing nanoparticles may be dispersed throughout the HNS material and used as an antireflective coating (ARC) for various optical purposes.

Nanosilica based compositions, structures and apparatus incorporating same and related methods

Methods and apparatus for use in connection with the performance of the polymerase chain reaction are provided. An exemplary sample processing module is described that includes a sample assembly and a PCR assembly, the sample processing module being configured to hold the sample therein at a pressure higher than ambient pressure. A sample is added to the sample assembly at the time of use, which is then connected to the PCR assembly. Embodiments of the cartridge include a flow restriction device that enables or aids in creating a higher pressure within the reaction vial. The sample is introduced into a PCR reaction vial, which contains all of the constituents of a PCR reaction mixture that are necessary to process the sample and provide amplified DNA of interest, if that DNA was present in the sample.

Pressurizable cartridge for polymerase chain reactions

Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.

Ultra sonic release of DNA or RNA

Apparatus and methods for amplification of DNA are provided that use sonic energy in place of conventional thermocyclers. In one embodiment, sonic energy is applied to a PCR cocktail to effect dissociation of double stranded DNA into single strands of DNA. A quiescence stage, where no sonic energy is applied, results in amplification of DNA. Repetition of the cycles of application of sonic energy and cessation of application of sonic energy results in DNA amplification.

Methods and apparatus for amplification of DNA using sonic energy

Methods and apparatus for effecting rapid thermocycling in connection with the polymerase chain reaction are disclosed. A sample assembly having a relatively small thermal mass is heated to desired PCR operating temperatures, and a separate cooling assembly is used to rapidly lower the temperature as required. In one embodiment, a sample assembly with an integrated heating element is isolated from a relatively large thermal mass cold sink when the temperature of a sample is to be raised or maintained, and brought in contact with the cold sink when the temperature is desired to be lowered.

Rapid thermocycler with movable cooling assembly

Apparatus and methods for exciting and detecting fluorescence in samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sample holder for holding a plurality of samples is provided together with an optical manifold having an excitation source, a photo receiver, or both, for each of the plurality of samples. In another embodiment, the optical manifold contains only the excitation source or a photo receiver, and the other is associated with the sample holder. This system permits for rapid excitation and measurement of fluorescence without the use of moving parts and without any opto-mechanical or electronic disturbance. It exhibits an exceptional signal to noise ratio, which permits it to differentiate between very low level differences in fluorescence.

Growing community of inventors

St. George, UT, United States of America

William D Bickmore