A method for making on-flow cell three-dimensional polymer structures includes loading a polymer precursor solution onto a flow cell. The polymer precursor solution includes a monomer, a crosslinker, and a photoinitiator. The flow cell includes at least one channel for receiving the polymer precursor solution. The at least one channel has an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface. The method further includes illuminating the polymer precursor solution through a patterned photomask using a light at a wavelength sufficient to activate the photoinitiator. Activation of the photoinitiator polymerizes at least some of the polymer precursor solution underneath apertures in the patterned photomask and forms three-dimensional polymer structures that extend from the upper interior surface to the lower interior surface of the at least one channel.

A method for making on-flow cell three-dimensional polymer structures includes loading a polymer precursor solution onto a flow cell. The polymer precursor solution includes a monomer, a crosslinker, and a photoinitiator. The flow cell includes at least one channel for receiving the polymer precursor solution. The at least one channel has an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface. The method further includes illuminating the polymer precursor solution through a patterned photomask using a light at a wavelength sufficient to activate the photoinitiator. Activation of the photoinitiator polymerizes at least some of the polymer precursor solution underneath apertures in the patterned photomask and forms three-dimensional polymer structures that extend from the upper interior surface to the lower interior surface of the at least one channel.

The present invention concerns methods and strategies of detecting low-copy-number nucleic acids in integrated work-flows on automated or semi-automated platforms, using a pre-amplification reaction positioned to only a portion of a silica surface in an extraction chamber of the platform. The present methods of the invention open the possibility to expand the repertoire of already developed automated workflows to enable them to process even very diluted samples such as bodily fluids, including liquid biopsies.

The present invention concerns methods and strategies of detecting low-copy-number nucleic acids in integrated work-flows on automated or semi-automated platforms, using a pre-amplification reaction positioned to only a portion of a silica surface in an extraction chamber of the platform. The present methods of the invention open the possibility to expand the repertoire of already developed automated workflows to enable them to process even very diluted samples such as bodily fluids, including liquid biopsies.

There is provided an impurity precipitant composition used for precipitating and removing impurities that inhibit the pure separation of DNA during the process of extracting DNA by lysis of cells in a sample. The composition includes 1.3-2.1% (w/v) phosphotungstic acid hydrate, 1.2-1.8% (w/v) zinc acetate dihydrate, 13.0-19.0% (v/v) acetic acid, with the remainder being water.

There is provided an impurity precipitant composition used for precipitating and removing impurities that inhibit the pure separation of DNA during the process of extracting DNA by lysis of cells in a sample. The composition includes 1.3-2.1% (w/v) phosphotungstic acid hydrate, 1.2-1.8% (w/v) zinc acetate dihydrate, 13.0-19.0% (v/v) acetic acid, with the remainder being water.

Provided herein is a method for isolating high molecular weight (HMW) DNA using beads that are at least 200 μm in diameter that utilizes a device for retaining the beads and where the purified DNA eluant exits the device without shearing the HMW DNA. In some embodiments, the method comprises precipitating the DNA onto the beads, washing the beads in the device, and then eluting the DNA from the beads therein while substantially avoiding shear. Compositions and kits for practicing the method are also provided.

Provided herein is a method for isolating high molecular weight (HMW) DNA using beads that are at least 200 μm in diameter that utilizes a device for retaining the beads and where the purified DNA eluant exits the device without shearing the HMW DNA. In some embodiments, the method comprises precipitating the DNA onto the beads, washing the beads in the device, and then eluting the DNA from the beads therein while substantially avoiding shear. Compositions and kits for practicing the method are also provided.

Provided herein is a method and device for performing a homogeneous nucleic acid detection assay. The device can contain a pair of plates where one of the plates comprises (i) surface amplification surface; and (ii) target-specific nucleic acid probes that are immobilized on said amplification surface and that specifically binds to a part of the target nucleic acid; and the second plate comprises a sample contact area comprising a reagent storage site that comprises target-specific nucleic acid detection agents that specifically binds to another part of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the device can be read without a washing unbound label from the surface of the device.

Provided herein is a method and device for performing a homogeneous nucleic acid detection assay. The device can contain a pair of plates where one of the plates comprises (i) surface amplification surface; and (ii) target-specific nucleic acid probes that are immobilized on said amplification surface and that specifically binds to a part of the target nucleic acid; and the second plate comprises a sample contact area comprising a reagent storage site that comprises target-specific nucleic acid detection agents that specifically binds to another part of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the device can be read without a washing unbound label from the surface of the device.