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 reactions 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.

A Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) device and method of using the same for manufacturing peptides is taught herein. The system comprises at least two reactors, each reactor including a quantity of SPPS resin. The reactors are positioned in series. A de-protecting agent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and third reactors, in series, thereby operating to de-protect the protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times. Likewise, an amino acid activated ester solution is added, in series, to the first, second and third reactors, thereby operating to couple the amino acid to the de-protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times prior to the next cycle. The use of the reactors in series reduces the overall solvent required. Online LCMS is also used to monitor progress and identity of reactions happening within the solid phase resin particles.

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 tandard SiO.sub.2-based microarray technology.

The present invention relates to a process for handling product fluid streams which are obtained in the catalytic hydrogenation of liquid feeds in laboratory catalysis apparatuses. The liquid feeds are preferably hydrocarbons comprising sulfur- and nitrogen-comprising compounds as impurities. The hydrogenation serves to convert the impurities into hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which in this form can be readily separated off from the other constituents of the liquid feed. The product fluid streams are contacted with an inert gas stream, with the flow rate of the inert gas being a multiple of the flow rate of the product fluid stream. The formation of deposits in lines of the region on the outlet side of the reaction space can be effectively prevented by means of the process of the invention.

A static fluid and a second fluid are placed into contact along a microfluidic free interface and allowed to mix by diffusion without convective flow across the interface. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fluids are static and initially positioned on either side of a closed valve structure in a microfluidic channel having a width that is tightly constrained in at least one dimension. The valve is then opened, and no-slip layers at the sides of the microfluidic channel suppress convective mixing between the two fluids along the resulting interface. Applications for microfluidic free interfaces in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, protein crystallization studies, protein solubility studies, determination of properties of fluidics systems, and a variety of biological assays such as diffusive immunoassays, substrate turnover assays, and competitive binding assays.

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.

The invention relates to a reaction vessel, a device and a method for detecting specific interactions between molecular target and probe molecules. The present invention especially relates to a reaction vessel which has a shape and size typical of a laboratory reaction vessel and in which a supporting element with probe molecules immobilised thereon on predetermined regions is arranged on its base surfaces.

A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing reactions, comprising at least one reactor (1) and at least two sample vessels (13), wherein, in the case of an apparatus having one reactor (1), the reactor (1) is connected to at least two sample vessels (13), and, in the case of an apparatus having more than one reactor (1), each reactor (1) is connected to at least one sample vessel (13). The invention further relates to a method of analyzing reactions in such an apparatus.

A Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) device and method of using the same for manufacturing peptides is taught herein. The system comprises at least two reactors, each reactor including a quantity of SPPS resin. The reactors are positioned in series. A de-protecting agent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and third reactors, in series, thereby operating to de-protect the protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times. Likewise, an amino acid activated ester solution is added, in series, to the first, second and third reactors, thereby operating to couple the amino acid to the de-protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times prior to the next cycle. The use of the reactors in series reduces the overall solvent required. Online LCMS is also used to monitor progress and identity of reactions happening within the solid phase resin particles.