The invention relates to one or more aptamers isolated against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and methods of using the same. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to methods of detecting the presence, absence or amount of SARS-CoV-2 in a sample using the one or more aptamers described herein. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to one or more aptamers that are capable of specifically binding to SARS-CoV-2 proteins, including aptamers that are capable of specifically binding to the S1 subunit (including the receptor binding domain (RBD)) and/or the S2 subunit within their native conformation as part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in its trimeric form or as separate monomers.

A sensor includes a working electrode in contact with an analyte solution; an amplifier including: a source terminal; a drain terminal; a back gate terminal; and nanowires, each nanowire electrically connecting the source terminal to the drain terminal; and an insulator having a first side and a second side. The working electrode is positioned to the first side of the insulator. The source terminal, the drain terminal, and the nanowires are positioned to the second side of the insulator. The insulator prevents direct electrical contact between the working electrode, the analyte solution and either the source terminal, the drain terminal, or the nanowires. The working electrode is configured such that, when a chemical species is present in the analyte solution, a variation in an electrical field at a location of the nanowires is induced, inducing a corresponding variation in an electrical current between the source terminal and the drain terminal.

A system configured to determine the load in a liquid sample of predetermined antigens is provided. The system comprises a measurement chamber configured for receipt therein of the liquid sample, a sensor circuit, and an analysis unit. The sensor circuit comprises a plurality of working electrodes, each comprising antibodies on its surface associated with one of the predetermined antigens, at least one reference electrode, and at least one counter electrode. Proximal ends of the electrodes are disposed on a reading zone of the sensor circuit, the reading zone being disposed within the measurement chamber. The analysis unit is configured to facilitate the determination of the load of each of the antigens by measuring electrical properties of the electrodes.

An electrochemical electrode for use in a biosensor. The electrode comprises a substrate, a palladium metal layer manufactured on the substrate, and a palladium oxide-containing layer manufactured on the palladium metal layer. The palladium metal layer has a thickness of no more than 90 nm, and the palladium oxide-containing layer has a thickness of no more than 40 nm.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising magnetic particles, the methods of using these compositions in processing animal sperm, the resulting sperm and embryo products, and the methods of use of these compositions to increase the efficiency, efficacy and/or speed of cell processing and artificial insemination techniques.

Described herein are DNA-nanostructures that can be used in an assay to detect and/or quantify an analyte of interest. Aspects of the DNA-nanostructure can include a single DNA molecule composed of hairpin structural motifs, an anchor recognition moiety, and a signal moiety, where the anchor recognition moiety and the signal moiety are in effective proximity to each other such that the tethered diffusion of the signal molecule can be altered based upon binding status of the anchor recognition moiety. Also described herein are methods of making and using the DNA-nanostructures.

An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

A method includes mounting an integrated electro-microfluidic probe card to a device area on a bio-sensor device wafer, wherein the electro-microfluidic probe card has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The method further includes electrically connecting at least one electronic probe tip extending from the first major surface to a corresponding conductive area of the device area. The method further includes stamping a test fluid onto the device area. The method further includes measuring via the at least one electronic probe tip a first electrical property of one or more bio-FETs of the device area based on the test fluid.

A system for determining a concentration of hemoglobin A1C includes a first electrochemical test strip, the first electrochemical test strip providing for an HbA1C concentration; and a second electrochemical test strip, the second electrochemical test strip providing for the total amount of hemoglobin.

A MEM-based device and method of fabrication, the device comprising a biochip substrate comprising one or more compliant materials, a plurality of mechanical and electrical micro-sensors configured in an array to simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical properties of a sample, wherein a first mechanical micro-sensor is formed as a patterned layer of at least one of the compliant materials, wherein the patterned layer is coupled to a first pillar comprising a dielectric material formed onto the compliant materials, the first pillar being coated with a metal film at a contact surface with the sample and along a side of the first pillar to act as a conductive probe for the first electrical micro-sensor, and wherein the first pillar is formed on the first mechanical micro-sensor to transfer a force to the first mechanical micro-sensor.