Methods and apparatus for rapid and accurate detection of nucleic acid in a single reaction chamber are provided. In one aspect, a patient specimen suspected of comprising a first nucleic acid is used to form a crude lysate which is combined with an infrared absorbing material, a detecting nucleic acid, and at least one reporter molecule in the single reaction chamber and heated by irradiating the reaction mixture with infrared light. Another aspect is directed to an apparatus for detecting a presence or absence of a plurality of different molecules within a reaction container. The apparatus comprises an infrared light source aimed to illuminate contents of the reaction container; an excitation light source positioned to illuminate contents of the reaction container; and a spectrometer positioned to detect emission light emanating from the reaction container.

Methods and apparatus for rapid and accurate detection of nucleic acid in a single reaction chamber are provided. In one aspect, a patient specimen suspected of comprising a first nucleic acid is used to form a crude lysate which is combined with an infrared absorbing material, a detecting nucleic acid, and at least one reporter molecule in the single reaction chamber and heated by irradiating the reaction mixture with infrared light. Another aspect is directed to an apparatus for detecting a presence or absence of a plurality of different molecules within a reaction container. The apparatus comprises an infrared light source aimed to illuminate contents of the reaction container; an excitation light source positioned to illuminate contents of the reaction container; and a spectrometer positioned to detect emission light emanating from the reaction container.

An assembly for nucleic acid sequencing by tunnel current analysis has at least two electrically conductive particles having a diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm and at least two electrically insulating particles having a diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm. The particles are in particular spherically shaped. The assembly also has at least two first electrodes for contacting the electrically conductive particles and a substrate on which the first electrodes and the particles are arranged. The four particles are arranged substantially in a planar square. The conductive particles lie diagonally opposite each other, and the insulating particles lie diagonally opposite each other. The gap between the four particles is used as a solid-state nanopore for nucleic acid sequencing.

An assembly for nucleic acid sequencing by tunnel current analysis has at least two electrically conductive particles having a diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm and at least two electrically insulating particles having a diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm. The particles are in particular spherically shaped. The assembly also has at least two first electrodes for contacting the electrically conductive particles and a substrate on which the first electrodes and the particles are arranged. The four particles are arranged substantially in a planar square. The conductive particles lie diagonally opposite each other, and the insulating particles lie diagonally opposite each other. The gap between the four particles is used as a solid-state nanopore for nucleic acid sequencing.

A technique that uses nanotechnology to electrically detect and identify RNA sequences without the need for using enzymatic amplification methods or fluorescent labels. The technique may be scaled into large multiplexed arrays for high-throughput and rapid screening. The technique is further able to differentiate closely related variants of a given bacterial or viral species or strain. This technique addresses the need for a quick, efficient, and inexpensive bacterial and viral detection and identification system.

A technique that uses nanotechnology to electrically detect and identify RNA sequences without the need for using enzymatic amplification methods or fluorescent labels. The technique may be scaled into large multiplexed arrays for high-throughput and rapid screening. The technique is further able to differentiate closely related variants of a given bacterial or viral species or strain. This technique addresses the need for a quick, efficient, and inexpensive bacterial and viral detection and identification system.

The invention provides nucleic acid structures of controlled size and shape, comprised of a plurality of oligonucleotides, and methods for their synthesis. The structures are formed, at least in part, by the self-assembly of single stranded oligonucleotides. The location of each oligonucleotide in the resultant structure is known. Accordingly, the structures may be modified with specificity.

The invention provides nucleic acid structures of controlled size and shape, comprised of a plurality of oligonucleotides, and methods for their synthesis. The structures are formed, at least in part, by the self-assembly of single stranded oligonucleotides. The location of each oligonucleotide in the resultant structure is known. Accordingly, the structures may be modified with specificity.

A target analyte in a matrix is sensed using a sensor device having protrusions [500] such as e.g. nanorods, containing free charge carriers. Conformational molecules [504, 506] are bound at a first end to the protrusions, and bound at a second end to a label [502] e.g. a nanoparticle, that is free to move relative to the protrusions. The conformational molecule changes its conformation when bound to the analyte, thereby changing the distance and/or the relative orientation of the label to the protrusion. Energy [510] is used to excite free electrons in the protrusion near a plasmon resonance and resulting optical radiation [514] at wavelengths near the plasmon resonance wavelength is detected [516] and analyzed [518] to determined the presence/concentration of the analyte.

A target analyte in a matrix is sensed using a sensor device having protrusions [500] such as e.g. nanorods, containing free charge carriers. Conformational molecules [504, 506] are bound at a first end to the protrusions, and bound at a second end to a label [502] e.g. a nanoparticle, that is free to move relative to the protrusions. The conformational molecule changes its conformation when bound to the analyte, thereby changing the distance and/or the relative orientation of the label to the protrusion. Energy [510] is used to excite free electrons in the protrusion near a plasmon resonance and resulting optical radiation [514] at wavelengths near the plasmon resonance wavelength is detected [516] and analyzed [518] to determined the presence/concentration of the analyte.