Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A reagent cartridge including (a) a support having reservoirs; (b) a main channel within the support, the channel having first and second ends exiting the support; (c) a pump channel that connects to the main channel between the first and second ends; (d) a valve manifold in the support, including (i) a first passage at the first end of the main channel, (ii) a second passage at the second end of the main channel, (iii) a first master valve between the pump channel and the first end of the main channel, (iv) a second master valve between the pump channel and the second end of the main channel, and (v) reservoir valves for regulating flow from individual reservoirs to the main channel. The valves can be normally closed diaphragm valves formed by magnetic pistons attached to an elastomeric sheet that is sandwiched in the support.

The present invention relates to the field of RNA analysis. In particular, the invention concerns the use of a catalytic nucleic acid molecule for the analysis of an RNA molecule. The invention concerns methods for analyzing the 5′ terminal structures of an RNA molecule having a cleavage site for a catalytic nucleic acid molecule. In particular, the invention concerns a method for determining the presence of a cap structure in an RNA molecule having a cleavage site for a catalytic nucleic acid molecule, a method for determining the capping degree of a population of RNA molecules having a cleavage site for a catalytic nucleic acid molecule, a method for determining the orientation of the cap structure in a capped RNA molecule having a cleavage site for a catalytic nucleic acid molecule and a method for determining relative amounts of correctly capped RNA molecules and reverse-capped RNA molecules in a population of RNA molecules, wherein the population comprises correctly capped and/or reverse-capped RNA molecules that have a cleavage site for a catalytic nucleic acid molecule. Moreover, the present invention provides uses of a catalytic nucleic acid molecule.

The present disclosure discusses a method of separating and/or purifying polynucleotides. The method includes injecting a sample into a chromatographic column that is packed with a porous sorbent having a pore size that substantially excludes the polynucleotides from the sorbent. This restricted access to the sorbent allows separation of large polynucleotides from each other and from smaller molecular weight impurities.

This invention provides methods to identify or sequence a DNA or RNA molecule electronically in a single molecule level based on polymerase synthesis.

A method of collecting a nucleic acid from a sample containing a nucleic acid using a support of aluminum oxide having a surface where a water-soluble neutral polymer is adsorbed, the method including steps a to c: step a: a step of bringing the support into contact with the sample containing a nucleic acid to adsorb the nucleic acid on the support; step b: a step of bringing the support on which the nucleic acid is adsorbed into contact with a solution A containing 1 mM or more and 40 mM or less of a chelating agent; and step c: after the step b, a step of bringing the support on which the nucleic acid is adsorbed into contact with a solution B containing 50 mM or more of a chelating agent to elute the nucleic acid.

A heating structure includes a substrate, a heating layer, a heat conducting layer, and a heat sensing layer. The heating layer includes at least one heating area. The heat conducting layer corresponds to the heating area. The heat sensing layer is disposed on the at least one heating area and electrically connected to the heating layer. The heating layer is used to heat the heat conducting layer. The heat sensing layer is used to sense a temperature of the heating area. A detection chip with the heating structure, and a nucleic acid detection device with the nucleic acid detection chip are also disclosed. The heating structure can make the heating temperature of the heating area more uniform and stable. The heating area of the heating structure has a lower heat loss and a higher heating efficiency.

A nucleic acid detection host includes a host body, a detection kit installation area, a sample heating area, a sampling area, and an image collection unit. The detection kit installation area is configured to detachably install a nucleic acid detection kit. The sampling area is disposed above the detection kit installation area and is connected to the detection kit installation area. The sampling area is configured to add a detection solution into the nucleic acid detection kit. The image collection unit is configured to collect an image of the nucleic acid detection kit. A nucleic acid detection device including the nucleic acid detection host is also disclosed. The nucleic acid detection device has a simple structure, which is portable, flexible, and convenient, and can be used at home.

Methods of quantifying N.sup.2-carboxyethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (CEdG) levels in biological samples and comparing those levels to known normal levels can diagnose a number of disorders, including diabetes and cancer. Methods can also determine whether therapies for disorders are effective by measuring CEdG levels before and after treatment. Measurement of CEdG levels occurs using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

An apparatus comprising a magnetic assembly and methods for operating the apparatus are provided. The magnetic assembly may be used to manipulate molecules in a liquid preparation, for example to isolate or separate the molecules from the liquid. The magnetic assembly may be used to wash and/or isolate nucleic acid molecules of interest from a liquid preparation.