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 enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the sunset. 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.

The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

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.

The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Disclosed is a multi-channel peptide synthesizer, including a gas-bath thermotank, a plurality of reactor tubes, a motor, a rotating rack, a liquid-feeding tube, a feeding device, a vacuum tube and a nitrogen tube. The gas-bath thermotank body provides a desired constant temperature for reaction. The reactor tube provides a place for peptide synthesis and resin washing. The motor and the rotating rack are used to fully mix the reaction and cleaning solutions. Various liquid reagents required are fed to the reactor tube through the liquid-adding tube. Various materials required are prepared in advance in the feeding device and directly fed to the reactor tube. The reaction or washing solution in the reactor tube is pumped to a waste liquid tank through the vacuum tube. Nitrogen is introduced into each reactor tube through the nitrogen tube. This device can be applied in batch-wise peptide synthesis using solid-phase methods.

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.

A method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The discrete volumes are separated from one another by a liquid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.

The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.