The present invention relates to a method for determining size of biomolecules separated in a medium by an electric field using marker molecules of known size, comprising(101) detecting a plurality of bands and forming a detected marker sequence and a detected unknown sequence based on a separation criterion, (102) determining band properties for each detected band, (103) comparing the band properties of the detected bands of the detected marker sequence with known band properties for a plurality of marker molecules forming a known marker sequence and assigning a score to each comparison, said score being based on at least one of relative distance, relative intensity, expected distance and expected intensity between bands, (104) selecting the comparison with the highest score and associating all or a subset of the detected bands of the detected marker sequence with said plurality of marker molecules of the known marker sequence in accordance with said comparison to determine size of the all or a subset of the detected marker sequence, and (105) comparing the bands of the detected marker sequence with the bands of the detected unknown sequence to determine a size of biomolecules for each identified band of the detected unknown sequence based on the known sizes of the marker molecules. The invention also relates to software configured to perform the method and to a computer readable medium for storing said software.

A method improves the capability for testing a fluid sample, e.g. testing a reservoir sample of hydrocarbon fluid. The methodology comprises positioning a capillary electrophoresis system within an enclosed chamber system. The enclosed chamber system preserves the desired downhole reservoir conditions during testing of the reservoir sample. In some applications, the reservoir sample is divided into a plurality of capillaries of the capillary electrophoresis system to enable testing of the reservoir sample with different types of detectors in one capillary electrophoresis system. The method can also be applied to depressurized reservoir samples.

The invention relates to a new method of sequencing a double stranded target polynucleotide. The two strands of the double stranded target polynucleotide are linked by a bridging moiety. The two strands of the target polynucleotide are separated using a polynucleotide binding protein and the target polynucleotide is sequenced using a transmembrane pore.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems comprising devices for effecting epitachophoresis and sample detection and methods of using such systems. Epitachophoresis may be used to effect sample analysis, such as by selective separation, detection, extraction, and/or pre-concentration of target analytes such as, for example, DNA, RNA, and/or other biological molecules. Sample detection may be used to trigger automated target analyte collection. Said target analytes may be used for desired downstream applications and further analysis.

The invention generally relates to electrophoretic mass spectrometry probes and systems and methods of uses thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe having a hollow body with a distal tip, an electrically conductive hollow conduit, and an electrode. The electrically conductive hollow conduit may be operably coupled to a reservoir and a power source, and the electrically conductive hollow conduit may be configured to transport a liquid sample into the hollow body and polarize the liquid sample as it flows through the electrically conductive hollow conduit and into in the hollow body. The electrode and the electrically conductive hollow conduit are disposed within the hollow body (e.g., at different heights within the hollow body).

Aspects of the innovations presented herein relate to improved systems that in some embodiments perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Some embodiments use a high voltage isolated CE power supply that is configured to float on the high voltage output of an ESI-MS power supply, with a protective resistance in the ESI-MS path, as well as DC/DC converter isolation and communication system isolation for the isolated CE power supply. Some embodiments additionally use a cartridge assembly integrating separation and conductive fluid capillaries with fluid cooling and protective retractable housings for the capillary end portions and for the ESI output. The protective housing may further be used with an adapter for interfacing with different MS systems.

A method for analyzing a protein and a peptide, includes: providing a capillary for isoelectric focusing; providing a capillary device for separation and analysis having the capillary and a solid-phase extraction column being unified as a single tube-like structure; providing an electrophoresis instrument having the capillary device and the mechanism regulating the pressure difference at both ends of the capillary device; introducing a sample containing a target protein or peptide into the solid-phase extraction column to let the target protein or peptide be adsorbed on the column, and filling the capillary device with a carrier ampholyte solution; starting separation by isoelectric focusing after eluting the target protein or peptide by filling the solid-phase extraction column with electrode solution or acid or base solution, or after firstly eluting the target protein or peptide with an eluting solution containing carrier ampholyte and secondly filling the solid-phase extraction column with electrode solution or acid or base solution; and focusing the eluted target protein or peptide in the capillary for isoelectric focusing.

A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as an electrophoresis detection system that uses electrophoresis testing to identify and quantify various components of the blood sample. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disorder, condition, disease and/or infection of the patient.

The present invention is notably directed to a microfluidic chip (1, 1a) comprising: a flow path (22) defined by a hydrophilic surface; a liquid input (24, 24a, 24b) on one side of the flow path; at least one electrical circuit (62), hereafter DEP circuit, comprising at least one pair of dielectrophoretic electrodes (E21, E22), hereafter DEP electrodes, wherein: each of the DEP electrodes extends transverse to the flow path; and the DEP circuit is configured to generate a dielectrophoretic force, hereafter DEP force, at the level of the DEP electrodes. The chip may further include one or more electroosmotic circuits. The present invention is further directed to methods of operation of such a microfluidic chip.

Systems and methods are provided for improving the analysis of analytes by using electrophoresis apparatus. Exemplary methods provide an increase in the yield of useful results, e.g., quantity and quality of useable data, in automated peak detection, in connection with an electrophoretic separation, e.g., capillary electrophoresis. In various embodiments, the system virtualizes the raw data, transforming the migration time into virtual units thereby allowing the visual comparison of analyte electropherograms and the reliable measurement of unknown analytes. The analytes can be, for example, any organic or inorganic molecules, including but not limited to nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), proteins, peptides, glycans, metabolites, secondary metabolites, lipids, or any combination thereof. Analyte detection can be performed by any method including, but not limited to, fluorescence detection or UV absorption. The present teachings provide, among other things, for consistent comparisons of analyte peaks across samples, across instruments, across runs, and across migration times.