Selectively controllable cleavable linkers include electrochemically-cleavable linkers, photolabile linkers, thermolabile linkers, chemically-labile linkers, and enzymatically-cleavable linkers. Selective cleavage of individual linkers may be controlled by changing local conditions. Local conditions may be changed by activating electrodes in proximity to the linkers, exposing the linkers to light, heating the linkers, or applying chemicals. Selective cleaving of enzymatically-cleavable linkers may be controlled by designing the sequences of different sets of the individual linkers to respond to different enzymes. Cleavable linkers may be used to attach polymers to a solid substrate. Selective cleavage of the linkers enables release of specific polymers from the solid substrate. Cleavable linkers may also be used to attach protecting groups to the ends of growing polymers. The protecting groups may be selectively removed by cleavage of the linkers to enable growth of specific polymers.

In one example, a flow cell includes a substrate, an electrode positioned on the substrate, and a patterned material positioned on the electrode. In this example, the patterned material includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the electrode is exposed at each of the depressions. In this example, the flow cell further includes a primer grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions. In another example, a flow cell includes a substrate and a patterned electrode positioned on the substrate. In this other example, the patterned electrode includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the substrate exposed at each of the depressions. In this other example, a primer is grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions.

The disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for the production of nucleic acid molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for the microscale generation of nucleic acid molecules, optionally followed by assembly of these nucleic acid molecules into larger molecules. In some aspects, the invention allows for efficient production of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., large nucleic acid molecules such as genomes).

A sample loading plate that includes at least one sample mounting spot that mount a sample thereon is provided with a substrate having a conductive surface and an insulating film that is laminated on the conductive surface of the substrate and that has at least an insulating surface, the insulating film being sparsely formed so that the conductive surface of the substrate is partially exposed at least in the sample mounting spot. Thus, a voltage applied to the sample loading plate can effectively place the sample in an electric field. As a result of which, in a mass spectrometric analysis of the sample, there is no charge up of the sample and appropriate ionization becomes possible.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for electrically active combinatorial-chemical (EACC) chips for biochemical analyte detection. An apparatus includes a substrate that has an array of regions defining multiple cells, wherein each of the cells includes a reaction cavity that contains multiple functional binding groups. A method of detecting an analyte providing the reaction cavity between a source and a drain or a pair of electrodes, applying a voltage and monitoring a parameter indicative of an analyte characteristic. A process of fabricating an EACC include bonding an analyte to the multiple functional binding groups of each reaction cavity, and forming an analyte sensing structure including the substrate.

A system may include a first conduit configured to form a first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid separated by spacing liquid disposed between consecutive volumes of aqueous fluid, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid volumes; a second conduit, fluidically coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit configured to statically hold the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid; and a third conduit configured to receive the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid from the second conduit. The third conduit can be configured to transfer the discrete volumes of aqueous fluid of the first batch for downstream processing.

A sensor array includes a semiconductor substrate, a first plurality of FET sensors and a second plurality of FET sensors. Each of the FET sensors includes a channel region between a source and a drain region in the semiconductor substrate and underlying a gate structure disposed on a first side of the channel region, and a dielectric layer disposed on a second side of the channel region opposite from the first side of the channel region. A first plurality of capture reagents is coupled to the dielectric layer over the channel region of the first plurality of FET sensors, and a second plurality of capture reagents is coupled to the dielectric layer over the channel region of the second plurality of FET sensors. The second plurality of capture reagents is different from the first plurality of capture reagents.

A method of nucleic acid sequencing. The method can include the steps of (a) providing a polymerase tethered to a solid support charge sensor; (b) providing one or more nucleotides, whereby the presence of the nucleotide can be detected by the charge sensor; and (c) detecting incorporation of the nucleotide into a nascent strand complementary to a template nucleic acid.

There is disclosed an electrode array architecture employing continuous and discontinuous circumferential electrodes. There is further disclosed a process for the neutralization of acid generated at anode(s) by base generated at cathode(s) circumferentially located to each other so as to confine a region of pH change. The cathodes can be displayed as concentric rings (continuous) or as counter electrodes in a cross pattern (discontinuous). In this way reagents, such as acid, generated in a center electrode are countered (neutralized) by reagents, such as base, generated at the corners or at the outer ring.

An AM-EWOD device comprises: first and second substrates (72,36); first and second array element electrodes (38A, 38B) disposed on the first substrate (72) and defining first and second array elements in the AM-EWOD device; a reference electrode (28) disposed on the first substrate (72); a sensor; and a reference electrode drive circuit (50). The reference electrode drive circuit (50) is configured to drive the reference electrode with a first voltage waveform for actuating an array element or with a second voltage waveform different from the first voltage waveform when performing a sensing operation.