A method of analyzing a molecule is disclosed. A lipid bilayer is formed such that it divides a first reservoir characterized by a first reservoir osmolarity from a second reservoir characterized by a second reservoir osmolarity. An electrolyte solution is flowed to the first reservoir that tends to make a first change to a ratio of the first reservoir osmolarity to the second reservoir osmolarity. A voltage is applied across the lipid bilayer, wherein the lipid bilayer is inserted with a nanopore, and wherein a net transfer of ions between the first reservoir and the second reservoir tends to make a second change to the ratio of the first reservoir osmolarity to the second reservoir osmolarity, and wherein the first change to the ratio and the second change to the ratio tends to counter-balance each other.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for determining viruses such as coronaviruses. For instance, some aspects are directed to systems and methods for determining viruses using a partitioning system. Within the partitioning system, free RNA or other nucleic acids may preferentially partition into one phase, while intact viruses may be present in the other phase or in both phases. Accordingly, in some cases, free RNA or other nucleic acids may be preferentially removed, e.g., as compared to intact RNA or other nucleic acids present within a virus. In some cases, the phase containing intact viruses can be determined to determine the infectiousness, e.g., of a sample arising from a subject. This may be useful, for example, for distinguishing subjects who are capable of spreading an infection from those who are not infectious.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for determining viruses such as coronaviruses. For instance, some aspects are directed to systems and methods for determining viruses using a partitioning system. Within the partitioning system, free RNA or other nucleic acids may preferentially partition into one phase, while intact viruses may be present in the other phase or in both phases. Accordingly, in some cases, free RNA or other nucleic acids may be preferentially removed, e.g., as compared to intact RNA or other nucleic acids present within a virus. In some cases, the phase containing intact viruses can be determined to determine the infectiousness, e.g., of a sample arising from a subject. This may be useful, for example, for distinguishing subjects who are capable of spreading an infection from those who are not infectious.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for determining viruses such as coronaviruses. For instance, some aspects are directed to systems and methods for determining viruses using a partitioning system. Within the partitioning system, free RNA or other nucleic acids may preferentially partition into one phase, while intact viruses may be present in the other phase or in both phases. Accordingly, in some cases, free RNA or other nucleic acids may be preferentially removed, e.g., as compared to intact RNA or other nucleic acids present within a virus. In some cases, the phase containing intact viruses can be determined to determine the infectiousness, e.g., of a sample arising from a subject. This may be useful, for example, for distinguishing subjects who are capable of spreading an infection from those who are not infectious.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for determining viruses such as coronaviruses. For instance, some aspects are directed to systems and methods for determining viruses using a partitioning system. Within the partitioning system, free RNA or other nucleic acids may preferentially partition into one phase, while intact viruses may be present in the other phase or in both phases. Accordingly, in some cases, free RNA or other nucleic acids may be preferentially removed, e.g., as compared to intact RNA or other nucleic acids present within a virus. In some cases, the phase containing intact viruses can be determined to determine the infectiousness, e.g., of a sample arising from a subject. This may be useful, for example, for distinguishing subjects who are capable of spreading an infection from those who are not infectious.

A thermal cycling method and associated device is described. The method is for carrying out a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process to amplify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and the method includes: pre-heating a series of blocks to respective temperatures that correspond to different respective heating stages in a PCR process, in which each block of the series of blocks defines a respective heat transfer surface, in which the series of blocks define a sequence of positions along a path, with each position defined by a respective heat transfer surface of a respective block; and moving a PCR reaction vessel, which contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and PCR reagents, along the path into and out of each respective position in the sequence of positions according to a schedule, in which, at each respective position the PCR reaction vessel is in thermal contact with the respective heat transfer surface to equilibrate a temperature of the PCR reaction vessel to a target temperature that corresponds to a respective heating stage in the PCR process.

A thermal cycling method and associated device is described. The method is for carrying out a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process to amplify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and the method includes: pre-heating a series of blocks to respective temperatures that correspond to different respective heating stages in a PCR process, in which each block of the series of blocks defines a respective heat transfer surface, in which the series of blocks define a sequence of positions along a path, with each position defined by a respective heat transfer surface of a respective block; and moving a PCR reaction vessel, which contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and PCR reagents, along the path into and out of each respective position in the sequence of positions according to a schedule, in which, at each respective position the PCR reaction vessel is in thermal contact with the respective heat transfer surface to equilibrate a temperature of the PCR reaction vessel to a target temperature that corresponds to a respective heating stage in the PCR process.

The disclosure provides methods of characterizing a sample of oligonucleotides of interest using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

The disclosure provides methods of characterizing a sample of oligonucleotides of interest using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

A method of analyzing a molecule is disclosed. A lipid bilayer is formed such that it divides a first reservoir characterized by a first reservoir osmolarity from a second reservoir characterized by a second reservoir osmolarity. An electrolyte solution is flowed to the first reservoir that tends to make a first change to a ratio of the first reservoir osmolarity to the second reservoir osmolarity. A voltage is applied across the lipid bilayer, wherein the lipid bilayer is inserted with a nanopore, and wherein a net transfer of ions between the first reservoir and the second reservoir tends to make a second change to the ratio of the first reservoir osmolarity to the second reservoir osmolarity, and wherein the first change to the ratio and the second change to the ratio tends to counter-balance each other.