172 results about "Biological entity" patented technology

The present invention concerns a method for separating at least one species of biological entities from a sample solution, by contacting the sample with a matrix of magnetic particles formed on a substrate such as a sheet a gel, etc. The particles in the matrix are coupled to entities capable of specifically binding to the species of biological entities to be separated. The separation is carried out either for detection purposes for obtaining separately each species of biological entities or for synthesis purposes. The invention further concerns matrices of magnetic particles formed on various substrates and kits for use in the method.

The invention provides methods of nucleic acid analysis. Such methods entail forming a population of gel microdrops encapsulating a population of biological entities, each entity comprising a nucleic acid, whereby at least some microdrops in the population each encapsulate a single entity. The population of gel microdrops is then contacted with a probe under conditions whereby the probe specifically hybridizes to at least one complementary sequence in the nucleic acid in at least one gel microdrop. At least one gel microdrop is then analyzed or detected. The biological entities can be cells, viruses, nuclei and chromosomes.

An apparatus for monitoring vital sign parameters in a biological entity is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one light source for transmitting light through the biological entity and at least one photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the biological entity. At least one light source and at least one photodetector are configured to be positioned proximate the biological entity in a manner that does not significantly impede blood flow through the biological entity. A signal is generated in response to the transmittance or reflectance of light through the biological entity. The signal corresponds to at least one characteristic of the generally unimpeded blood flow through the biological entity. The apparatus also includes a control system configured to analyze the signal to determine vital sign parameters in the biological entity. A method for monitoring vital sign parameters in a biological entity is also provided.

The present invention relates to methods for identifying novel genes comprising: (i) generating one and / or more specialized databases containing information on gene / protein structure, function and / or regulatory interactions; and (ii) searching the specialized databases for homology or for a particular motif and thereby identifying a putative novel gene of interest. The invention may further comprise performing simulation and hypothesis testing to identify or confirm that the putative gene is a novel gene of interest. The present invention also relates to natural language processing and extraction of relational information associated with genes and proteins that are found in genomics journal articles. To enable access to information in textual form, the natural language processing system of the present invention provides a method for extracting and structuring information found in the literature in a form appropriate for subsequent applications.

A method of analysing a plurality of biological entities using an imaging apparatus. The method comprises: providing a marker for said plurality of biological entities, said marker being capable of identifying objects within said plurality of biological entities when detected using the imaging apparatus, the method of provision being arranged such that said marker is capable of identifying said objects during a first time period, and said marker is less capable of identifying said objects during a second time period; during the first time period, recording a marked-up image in which spatial definitions of said objects are identifiable from said marker; during the second time period, recording a first image of said plurality of biological entities; and generating a spatial definition for an object in said first image using data derived from said marked-up image.

The present invention generally relates to sub-diffraction image resolution and other imaging techniques. In one aspect, the invention is directed to determining and / or imaging light from two or more entities separated by a distance less than the diffraction limit of the incident light. For example, the entities may be separated by a distance of less than about 1000 nm, or less than about 300 nm for visible light. In one set of embodiments, the entities may be selectively activatable, i.e., one entity can be activated to produce light, without activating other entities. A first entity may be activated and determined (e.g., by determining light emitted by the entity), then a second entity may be activated and determined. The emitted light may be used to determine the positions of the first and second entities, for example, using Gaussian fitting or other mathematical techniques, and in some cases, with sub-diffraction resolution. The methods may thus be used, for example, to determine the locations of two or more entities immobilized relative to a common entity, for example, a surface, or a biological entity such as DNA or a protein. The entities may also be determined with respect to time, for example, to determine a time-varying reaction. Other aspects of the invention relate to systems for sub-diffraction image resolution, computer programs and techniques for sub-diffraction image resolution, methods for promoting sub-diffraction image resolution, methods for producing photoswitchable entities, and the like.