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 SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

Protein arrays and their use to assay, in a parallel fashion, the protein products of highly homologous or related DNA coding sequences and described. By highly homologous or related it is meant those DNA coding sequences which share a common sequence and which differ only by one or more naturally occurring mutations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, deletions or insertions, or those sequences which are considered to be haplotypes. Such highly homologous or related DNA coding sequences are generally naturally occurring variants of the same gene. Arrays according to the invention have two or more individual proteins deposited in a spatially defined pattern on a surface in a form whereby a property such as an activity or function of the proteins can be investigated or assayed in parallel by interrogation of the array.

The present invention relates to a method of catalytic process characterization which comprises a reaction system having two or more reaction strands in a parallel arrangement, wherein an individual reaction strand comprises multiple series-connected reaction chambers or a single reaction chamber. In the method, which is also referred to as CPC method, each reaction strand is supplied with a reactant stream. The reactant streams supplied to the reaction strands are subjected to different numbers of process stages in the different reaction strands. The product streams discharged from the reaction strands are subjected to an analytical characterization, wherein the data achieved in the characterization are expressed in relative terms, here preferably including the forming of a difference. The CPC method can be used in a very versatile manner and is characterized by very high accuracy. The mass balance achieves a standard deviation of +/10% by weight or lower. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for performing the CPC method or else to an apparatus for simultaneously performing a multitude of CPC methods. The invention thus also relates to the field of high-throughput research.

An analytical method for precipitated particles using a co-precipitation reaction in includes feeding streams and a tracking metal into a reaction vessel; collecting a precipitated product containing the tracking metal from the reaction vessel in increments of time to obtain product samples; filtering each collected product sample to separate precipitated particles from filtrate; and performing elemental analysis for the tracking metal in the precipitated particles of each collected product sample and measuring a concentration of the tracking metal in the precipitated particles, to obtain a residence time distribution of the precipitated particles in the reaction vessel according to the concentration of the tracking metal in the precipitated particles. Therefore the preferred residence time of the precipitated particles in the reaction vessel can be ascertained, so that it is clear when the precipitated particles should be collected from the reaction vessel.

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 SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

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 SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

In a process for the epoxidation of an olefin by continuously reacting the olefin with hydrogen peroxide in a methanol solvent on a fixed bed epoxidation catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite, the hydrogen peroxide is used as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution made by an anthraquinone process, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is mixed with methanol to give a feed mixture and this feed mixture is filtered before being contacted with the fixed bed epoxidation catalyst.

An apparatus suitable for investigating solid catalysts and processes in which discontinuous fluid streams arise, the apparatus including: a reactant fluid supply point; a reaction space; at least one fluid mixing space; at least one throttle element; at least one pressure control valve; and at least one analyzer. An outlet side of the reaction space is operatively connected to the fluid mixing space via a connecting line and a substream line. The fluid mixing space is connected to the throttle element. The throttle element is operatively connected to the analyzer and an outlet line. The connecting line is operatively connected to the pressure control valve and an exit air line. The pressure control valve is arranged either downstream or upstream of the substream line. When the pressure control valve is upstream of the substream line, the outlet line is provided with a second pressure control valve and a pump.

A method for holding samples for analysis and an apparatus thereof includes a testing plate with a pair of opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes. Each of the holes extends from one of the opposing surfaces to the other one of the opposing surfaces. The holes are arranged in groups, where each group has at least two rows and two columns of holes. The groups are arranged in sets, where each set has at least two rows and two columns of groups. To analyze samples, at least one of the opposing surfaces of the testing plate is immersed in a solution to be analyzed. A portion of the solution enters openings for each of the holes in the immersed opposing surface. Once the holes are filled with solution, the testing plate is removed and is held above a supporting surface. Surface tension holds the solution in each of the holes. The solution in one or more of the holes is then analyzed and the solution in one of these holes is identified for further study. The location of the identified solution is marked based upon its location within a particular set and group of holes.

The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reaction between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control. The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalized into the microcapsules.