A method for forming discrete volumes of aqueous fluid may comprise flowing aqueous fluid into a first conduit from a supply of aqueous fluid and flowing into the first conduit a spacing liquid supplied from a second conduit, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid. The flowing of the aqueous fluid and the spacing liquid into the first conduit forms discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid, with consecutive discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid separated by the spacing liquid. The method may further comprise transferring the discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid and spacing liquid from the first conduit to a third conduit for processing.

A data storage medium is disclosed comprising a two-dimensional (2D) support structure onto which artificially synthesized DNA molecules encoding digital information are placed and then covered with a protective layer. The 2D support structure is formed from a material such as metal foil, glass, or plastic. The 2D support structure may be functionalized with positively charged molecules to improve DNA adhesion. The DNA is protected from degradation by encapsulation in a protective layer of a non-reactive material such as silica or a thin layer of metal. A process for storing DNA on 2D support structures is also disclosed. Correlation of specific DNA molecules with a physical storage location on a 2D support structure provides geometric addressability for selective access to specific digital information.

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.

Methods and products for identifying individuals who are likely to respond in a positive (benefit) or negative (harm) manner to a pharmacological drug treatment intended for treating or preventing a neuropsychiatric disorder, neurodegeneration, sleep-wake cycles such including and not limited to Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, autism and attention deficit disorders based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) chromosome 2, 2:107,510,000-107,540,000 locus (as disclosed in the Genome Reference Consortium Human genome build 37 (GRCh37)).

Methods and products for identifying individuals who are likely to respond in a positive (benefit) or negative (harm) manner to a pharmacological drug treatment intended for treating or preventing a neuropsychiatric disorder, neurodegeneration, sleep-wake cycles such including and not limited to Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, autism and attention deficit disorders based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) chromosome 2, 2:107,510,000-107,540,000 locus (as disclosed in the Genome Reference Consortium Human genome build 37 (GRCh37)).

This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.

A system includes a synthesizer unit having a fluid input to receive fluids and a communication input to receive commands to synthesize data-encoded DNA sequences and cleave the DNA. A first flexible chemistry reaction chamber module may be fluidically coupled to the synthesizer unit to receive the data-encoded DNA sequences and amplify the sequences. A deposition unit may be fluidically coupled to the first flexible chemistry reaction chamber module to receive the amplified DNA sequences and encapsulate the amplified DNA sequences into one or more wells in a storage plate for storage and retrieval to and from a plate storage unit. Retrieved DNA may be processed and read by further units.

The disclosure provides three-dimensional crosslinked polymer networks comprising one or more channels extending from the surface and/or near the surface of the network into the interior of the network, arrays comprising the networks, processes for making the networks, and uses of the networks and arrays.

A microfluidic synthesis platform includes a microfluidic chip holder that has a computer controlled heating element and cooling element therein. A microfluidic chip is mountable in the microfluidic chip holder. The microfluidic chip is formed by a hydrophobic substrate having patterned thereon a hydrophilic reaction site and a plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways extending outward from the hydrophilic reaction site and terminating at respective loading sites on the substrate, wherein the hydrophilic channels or pathways are tapered with an increasing width in an inward direction toward the hydrophilic reaction site. A fixture is provided for holding a plurality of non-contact reagent dispensing devices above the microfluidic chip at locations corresponding to the loading sites of the plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways, the fixture further holding a moveable collection tube disposed above the hydrophilic reaction site of the microfluidic chip for removing droplets containing reaction products.

This disclosure provides a gene chip comprising a substrate and at least one positioning device fixed on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein the at least one positioning device is provided with a receiving cavity for receiving a bead, the receiving cavity being arranged on a surface of the at least one positioning device facing away from the substrate, and a cross-sectional area of the receiving cavity is gradually decreased in a direction toward the upper surface of the substrate. This disclosure further provides a gene detection device comprising the gene chip.