CHARACTERIZATION OF MOLECULES IN NANOFLUIDICS

摘要

Methods are provided for detecting and quantitating molecules using fluidics. In preferred embodiments, the methods comprise analyzing blood to detect the presence of circulating DNA or cells from a fetus or tumor.

主权项

1. A method of characterizing a sample, the method comprising:
labeling a plurality of sample molecules with at least a first label, wherein the sample molecules comprise polynucleotide sequences of a first genomic fragment or fragments of interest, and wherein first genomic fragment or fragments of interest correspond to a possibly abnormal genomic region of the sample; providing a plurality of labeled reference molecules, wherein the reference molecules comprise polynucleotide sequences of a reference genomic fragment or fragments, and wherein the reference genomic fragment or fragments are known to not correspond to the possibly abnormal genomic region; translocating the plurality of labeled sample molecules and the plurality of labeled reference molecules though a fluidic channel; detecting signals from the labeled sample molecules and labeled reference molecules so as to ascertain at least:
a first pattern or plurality of patterns characteristic of the first genomic fragment or fragments of interest; anda second pattern or plurality of patterns characteristic of the reference genomic fragment or fragments; and correlating signals ascertaining the first pattern or plurality of patterns to signals ascertaining the second pattern or plurality of patterns.