Present disclosure provides a method including isolating DNA from a source, thereby providing a composition including the isolated DNA. The isolated DNA has at least first and second target regions, where the length of the second target region is greater than the length of the first target region. The method further includes quantifying a total mass of the isolated DNA, quantifying a first quantification cycle (C.sub.q) of the first target region and a second C.sub.q of the second target region, and calculating a Q-ratio for the isolated DNA by dividing the second C.sub.q by the first C.sub.q. The method further includes determining a value for a quality-mass constant (k.sub.Qm), estimating a required input mass by dividing k.sub.Qm by the Q-ratio, and preparing the isolated DNA for sequencing if the total mass of the isolated DNA in the composition is equal or greater than the required input mass.

Present disclosure provides a method including isolating DNA from a source, thereby providing a composition including the isolated DNA. The isolated DNA has at least first and second target regions, where the length of the second target region is greater than the length of the first target region. The method further includes quantifying a total mass of the isolated DNA, quantifying a first quantification cycle (C.sub.q) of the first target region and a second C.sub.q of the second target region, and calculating a Q-ratio for the isolated DNA by dividing the second C.sub.q by the first C.sub.q. The method further includes determining a value for a quality-mass constant (k.sub.Qm), estimating a required input mass by dividing k.sub.Qm by the Q-ratio, and preparing the isolated DNA for sequencing if the total mass of the isolated DNA in the composition is equal or greater than the required input mass.

The present invention generally concerns an automated system capable of performing quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from said sample, either simultaneously or sequentially. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method for performing qPCR of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with simultaneous of sequential preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from said sample. Finally, the present invention also provides removable cartridges for use in the automated systems and methods according to the invention.

A high-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization includes a composition spread device to prepare continuous or discrete composition distribution as precursor of the high-throughput experimental samples library, a low temperature diffusion mixing device to thoroughly mix the composition spread in the thickness direction through diffusion at a relatively low temperature to form an amorphous precursor, and an integrated synthesis-characterization unit for heat treatment of the material library precursor in either a parallel or point-by-point scanning mode at different thermodynamic conditions for phase formation and to characterize features or properties of the materials of interest in an in-situ and real-time manner. The integrated synthesis-characterization unit includes a chamber maintained at desired vacuum and atmosphere, a micro-heating source, an excitation source, a signal collector, and a sample holder.

Methods and systems for identifying and/or quantifying polypeptide binding interactions of ligand-binding polypeptides are disclosed. Detailed methods include methods for identifying binding ligands of ligand-binding polypeptides and methods for assessing changes in binding behavior due to alterations of ligand-binding polypeptides. Detailed systems include array-based systems that permit detection of ligand binding interactions at single-analyte resolution.

Methods and systems for identifying and/or quantifying polypeptide binding interactions of ligand-binding polypeptides are disclosed. Detailed methods include methods for identifying binding ligands of ligand-binding polypeptides and methods for assessing changes in binding behavior due to alterations of ligand-binding polypeptides. Detailed systems include array-based systems that permit detection of ligand binding interactions at single-analyte resolution.