Purdue Research Foundation

Zane Baird

Robert Graham Cooks

Wen-Ping Peng

Pu Wei

Adam Hollerbach

Michael Pugia

Zheng Ouyang

Anyin Li

Thalappil Pradeep

Stephen Ayrton

The invention generally relates to mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus including an essentially non-absorbent membrane having at least one pore, a microwell operably associated with the essentially non-absorbent membrane, and an electric field generator. The apparatus may be configured such that an electric field produced by the electric field generator operably interacts with a sample in the microwell and expels a droplet of the sample through the at least one pore in the essentially non-absorbent membrane. In certain embodiments, apparatuses of the invention are used for detection, and optionally quantification, of a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample, such as a rare target analyte (e.g., rare cell) from a biological sample.

Mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules

The invention generally relates to charged mass label compositions and methods of use thereof for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides a charged mass label composition including an affinity reagent, and a mass label precursor bound to the affinity reagent. The mass label precursor includes a label binding unit and a mass label. The label binding unit reversibly binds the mass label to the affinity reagent. The mass label includes a charge unit and a mass label unit having a pre-defined mass-to-charge-value in a mass spectrum.

Charged mass labeling system

The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.

Sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof

The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.

Ion focusing

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.

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West Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Zane Baird