A method for concentrating microorganisms, includes modifying an object by introducing an amine group into the object (step 1); and contacting a sample including a microorganism and dimethyl 3,3′-dithiobispropionimidate (DTBP) each other on the modified object (step 2), wherein the object is any one of a thin film device, a magnetic bead, a ring resonator, and a nanoparticle.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

The present invention addresses a problem of providing a method for collecting extracellular vesicles derived from nervous system cells at an improved efficiency.

This problem is solved by a method for collecting extracellular vesicles derived from nervous system cells, said method comprising a step for mixing an anti-APLP1 antibody with a sample containing extracellular vesicles to form anti-APLP1 antibody-extracellular vesicle complexes and a step for collecting the anti-APLP1 antibody-extracellular vesicle complexes.

The invention relates to a new method of delivering an analyte to a transmembrane pore in a membrane. The method involves the use of microparticles.

Provided herein are methods and systems for cell-free DNA extraction from liquid biological samples. The methods can be employed for determination of fetal DNA fraction and non-invasive prenatal screening of fetal aneuploidies and analyses of other types of cell-free DNA.

A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

A magnetic bead reagent contains: a magnetic bead containing a Fe-based metal soft magnetic particle and a silica film that has an average thickness of 20 nm or more and that covers the Fe-based metal soft magnetic particle; a surfactant; and a dispersion medium in which the magnetic bead is dispersed. The surfactant may be a nonionic surfactant.

The methods of the invention employ targeted magnetic particles, preferably targeted nanomagnetic particles, and targeted buoyant particles such as buoyant microparticles and microbubbles. Among the benefits of the invention is the ability to combine targeted magnetic particles with differentially targeted buoyant particles to achieve separation of two or more specifically cell targeted populations during the same work flow.

The present invention discloses an electrophoretic chip comprising: (a) a non-conductive substrate designed to support elements of said electrophoretic chip; (b) an electrode structure for conducting current through said electrophoretic chip, printed on said non-conductive substrate and comprising a counter electrode and at least one working electrode, each electrode comprising a conductive low-resistance ink layer printed on the non-conductive substrate, and a carbon ink layer printed on top of and fully or partially covering said conductive low-resistance ink layer; (c) a dielectric ink insulator layer placed on top of, and covering, said electrode structure, said dielectric ink insulator layer having at least one opening above the counter electrode and at least one opening above said at least one working electrode, thereby forming at least one addressable location; and (d) a molecule capturing matrix spotted on and covering said at least one addressable location, thereby creating at least one microgel region.

Provided herein are materials and methods for isolation of eukaryotic nucleic acid from a human or non-human animal stool sample. Also provided are methods of analysis of eukaryotic biomarkers present in a human or non-human animal stool sample.