A system and method are provided to detect target analytes based on magnetic resonance measurements. Magnetic structures produce distinct magnetic field regions having a size comparable to the analyte. When the analyte is bound in those regions, magnetic resonance signals from the sample are changed, leading to detection of the analyte.

Cells are grown in 3D culture and topological features obtained by photomicrography are correlated to cell viability and cell interactions.

The inventive concepts presented herein relate to methods of identifying molecules identification of molecules using apparatuses including: electromagnetic write-head(s); magneto-resistive read sensor(s), and processor(s). An exemplary method includes magnetically exciting a molecule to be identified using an alternating magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic write-head, measuring a resonant response of the molecule to be identified using a magneto-resistive read sensor; and comparing, using a processor, the resonant response of the molecule to be identified with a table of known resonant responses to identify a chemical composition of the molecule to be identified. The molecule to be identified may optionally be disposed on a biosample substrate which comprises, or is coupled to, a plurality of servo-alignment marks; and the plurality of servo-alignment marks are configured to facilitate alignment of the electromagnetic write-head with the biosample tracks of the biosample substrate.

A biosensor includes a substrate having a surface in which a first region and a second region disposed adjacent to the first region are formed; a magnetoresistance effect element that is disposed on at least the first region and is configured such that a resistance value detected according to an input magnetic field varies; a protective film that is disposed on both the first region and the second region and covers a surface of the magnetoresistance effect element, and is disposed on the top part of the second region and contains an affinity substance that allows recognition of the biomolecules on the outer surface only on the second region; and an adsorption prevention film that is disposed on at least the top part of the first region and is substantially free of the affinity substance, wherein the protective film and the adsorption prevention film are made of different materials.

The present invention relates to magnetic contrast structures for magnetic resonance imaging, and methods of their use. The contrast structures include magnetic materials arranged as a pair of disk-shaped magnetic components with a space between a circular surface of each disk shape, or a tubular magnetic structure, a substantially cylindrical magnetic structure, a substantially spherical shell-formed magnetic structure, or a substantially ellipsoidal shell-formed structure, each defining a hollow region therein. The space and/or hollow region in the contrast structure creates a spatially extended region contained within a near-field region of the contrast structure over which an applied magnetic field results in a homogeneous field, such that nuclear magnetic moments of a second material when arranged within the spatially extended region precess at a characteristic Larmor frequency, whereby the contrast structure is adapted to emit a characteristic magnetic resonance signal of the magnetic material.

A magnetic particle imaging apparatus includes magnets [106,107] that produce a gradient magnetic field having a field free region (FFR), excitation field electromagnets [102,114] that produce a radiofrequency magnetic field within the field free region, high-Q receiving coils [112] that detect a response of magnetic particles in the field free region to the excitation field. Field translation electromagnets create a homogeneous magnetic field displacing the field-free region through the field of view (FOV) allowing the imaging region to be scamled to optimize scan time, scanning power, amplifier heating, SAR, dB/dt, and/or slew rate. Efficient multi-resolution scanning techniques are also provided. Intermodulated low and radio-frequency excitation signals are processed to produce an image of a distribution of the magnetic nanoparticles within the imaging region. A single composite image is computed using deconvolution of multiple signals at different harmonics.

In an approach to magnetic flux density based DNA sequencing, a static magnetic field is provided. A chain of nucleotides is passed through the magnetic field. A change in magnetic flux density of the static magnetic field due to an ionic voltage associated with an individual nucleotide or base pair of the chain of nucleotides is measured. An identity of the nucleotide is determined based on the change in magnetic flux density.

Disclosed are methods for nucleic acid amplification wherein nucleic acid templates, beads, and amplification reaction solution are emulsified and the nucleic acid templates are amplified to provide clonal copies of the nucleic acid templates attached to the beads. Also disclosed are kits and apparatuses for performing the methods of the invention.

According to one embodiment, a sample analyzer includes a detector, a first generator and a second generator. The detector detects a target substance bonded to a magnetic particle collected to a sensing area in the cartridge. The first generator applies a magnetic field for releasing the magnetic particles from the sensing area. The second generator includes a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field for attracting the magnetic particles to the sensing area, a first soft magnetic material, and a second magnetic material. The second generator switches application and shut-off of a magnetic field by moving the permanent magnet relative to the first soft magnetic material and the second soft magnetic material.

The invention relates to a circuit or microchip for the detection of poor sources of (or very weak) electrical and/or magnetic fields. In one embodiment a device of the present invention includes a microchip consisting of a plate with a plurality of cells, each cell includes a crystal suspended in a semiconducting polymer and piece of metal wire. The cell is insulated by another polymer. A voltage is applied to parallel wires running on each side of the cell, thus inducing a first (or static, or initial) voltage when measured from the cell to the wire. Changes in magnetic or electrical fields are detected by noting a change in voltage from the cell, which is caused by the crystal changing orientation due to the change in the field the circuit is subjected to.