A sample loader for loading a liquid sample into a plurality of reaction sites within a substrate is provided. The sample loader includes a first blade, and a second blade coupled to the first blade. The sample loader further comprises a flow path between the first blade and second blade configured to dispense a liquid sample to a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites. Further, in various embodiments the liquid sample has an advancing contact angle of 85+/15 degrees with the first and second blade. Furthermore, loading of the liquid sample dispensed from the flow path to the plurality of reaction sites may be based on capillary action.

An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

Methods and compositions are disclosed relating to the localization of nucleic acids to arrays such as silane-free arrays, and of sequencing the nucleic acids localized thereby.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses used for reaction screening and optimization purposes. An example apparatus includes a plurality of reaction vessels, a dispensing subsystem, at least one reactor module, an analysis subsystem, an automation subsystem, and control circuitry. The dispensing subsystem delivers reagents to the plurality of reaction vessels for a plurality of reaction mixtures having varied reaction conditions. The at least one reactor module drives a plurality of reactions within the plurality of reaction vessels. The analysis subsystem analyzes compositions contained in the plurality of reaction vessels. The automation subsystem selectively moves the plurality of reaction vessels from a location proximal to the dispensing subsystem to the at least one reactor module based on experimental design parameters. And, the control circuitry identifies optimum reaction conditions for a target end product based on the analysis.

A method includes flowing an incorporation reagent through a reagent management system and a flow cell of an instrument. The flow cell having a first polynucleotide positioned therein. The incorporation reagent adding a first base onto a sequence of bases. The sequence of bases includes a second polynucleotide complementary to the first polynucleotide. An image of an identification signal emanating from the first base is captured after the first base has been added onto the second polynucleotide. A cleavage reagent is flowed through the reagent management system and flow cell to remove a first terminator from the first base in order to enable a subsequent base in the sequence of bases to be added to the second polynucleotide. A buffer reagent is flowed through the reagent management system and flow cell in a plurality of cycles of consecutive forward and reverse flow directions.

A method includes flowing an incorporation reagent through a reagent management system and a flow cell of an instrument. The flow cell having a first polynucleotide positioned therein. The incorporation reagent adding a first base onto a sequence of bases. The sequence of bases includes a second polynucleotide complementary to the first polynucleotide. An image of an identification signal emanating from the first base is captured after the first base has been added onto the second polynucleotide. A cleavage reagent is flowed through the reagent management system and flow cell to remove a first terminator from the first base in order to enable a subsequent base in the sequence of bases to be added to the second polynucleotide. A buffer reagent is flowed through the reagent management system and flow cell in a plurality of cycles of consecutive forward and reverse flow directions.

Systems, methods, and devices for generating radionuclides for use in production of radiopharmaceuticals; synthesizing the radionuclides generated and removing any unwanted products; measuring the quantity and activity level of the synthesized radionuclides; distributively delivering the radionuclides in appropriate quantities to modular cassette synthesis units in a modular cassette subsystem for contemporaneous/parallel production of radiopharmaceutical output and that allow reuse and/or quick, safe, and disposable replacement of portions of the subsystem; delivering non-radionuclide components to the modular cassette synthesis units as part of production of radiopharmaceutical output; measuring the quantity and activity level of each stream of radiopharmaceutical output; purifying the radiopharmaceutical output; dispensing individual doses in sterile vial(s); automatically producing labeling and dose related information; performing automated quality control on extracted samples of produced radiopharmaceutical output; and providing software and hardware controls for overall and sub-portion operation for optional remote data collection, communication, and/or control.

According to various embodiments, a method is provided that comprises washing an array of DNA-coated beads on a substrate, with a wash solution to remove stacked beads from the substrate. The wash solution can include inert solid beads in a carrier. The DNA-coated beads can have an average diameter and the solid beads in the wash solution can have an average diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the DNA-coated beads. The washing can form dislodged DNA-coated beads and a monolayer of DNA-coated beads. In some embodiments, first beads for forming an array are contacted with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution comprising a PEG having a molecular weight of about 350 Da or less. In some embodiments, slides for forming bead arrays are provided as are systems for imaging the same.