Mark A Reed

US Patent:

6338802, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

May 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/565566

Inventors:

Kevin S. Bodner - San Mateo CA
Alfred P. Madden - Colorado Springs CO
Joseph Jackson - Half Moon Bay CA
Jason H. Halsey - San Francisco CA
Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA
Ward Frye - Foster City CA
Mark F. Oldham - Los Gatos CA
Stephen E. Moring - Lawrence KS
Jon Hoshizaki - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

PE Corporation (NY) - Foster City CA

International Classification:

B01D 6100

US Classification:

210650, 21032175, 210474, 210261, 422101, 422104

Abstract:

The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e. g. , cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes. Further, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that adequately support discrete filter elements disposed in the wells without creating substantial preferential flow. Additionally, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that avoid cross-contamination due to aerosol formation, pendent drops and/or splattering.

US Patent:

6451261, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

May 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/565673

Inventors:

Kevin S. Bodner - San Mateo CA
Alfred P. Madden - Colorado Springs CO
Joseph Jackson - El Granada CA
Jason H. Halsey - San Francisco CA
Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA
Ward Frye - Foster City CA
Mark F. Oldham - Los Gatos CA
Stephen E. Moring - Lawrence KS
Jon Hoshizaki - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Applera Corporation - Foster City CA

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422 99, 4352831, 436174, 215200

Abstract:

The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e. g. , cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes. Further, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that adequately support discrete filter elements disposed in the wells without creating substantial preferential flow. Additionally, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that avoid cross-contamination due to aerosol formation, pendent drops and/or splattering.

US Patent:

6896849, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Mar 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/104335

Inventors:

Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US
Jon Hoshizaki - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Applera Corporation - Foster City CA

International Classification:

B01L003/00

US Classification:

422 99, 422101, 21032175, 221 1, 221123, 221154, 141130, 141134, 141135, 414409

Abstract:

A multi-well microfiltration apparatus and method are provided and feature a manual touch-off system for transferring pendent drops hanging from discharge-conduits of a discharge-conduit array to respective receiving wells or receiving holes of a corresponding receiving array, with minimum or no cross-contamination between the discharge conduits, or the receiving wells or receiving holes. The manual touch-off is achieved by manually shifting a carriage that supports one of the arrays, into a position whereat pendent drops of fluid hanging from the distal ends of the discharge conduits contact the inner sidewalls of the corresponding receiving wells or receiving holes of the receiving array.

US Patent:

7323705, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

May 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/130606

Inventors:

Douwe D. Haga - Redwood City CA, US
Michael R. Flatbush - San Ramon CA, US
Michael Mosseau - Santa Clara CA, US
Tony S. Yan - Millbrae CA, US
Willy Wiyatno - Union City CA, US
Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Applera Corporation - Foster City CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/49
G01N 21/85
G01N 15/06

US Classification:

250577, 356624, 73293

Abstract:

The present application relates to an apparatus and method for measuring liquid levels in small-volume wells.

US Patent:

7407630, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/086271

Inventors:

Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US
Albert L. Carrillo - Redwood City CA, US
Ian A. Harding - San Mateo CA, US

Assignee:

Applera Corporation - Foster City CA

International Classification:

B01L 3/00

US Classification:

422102, 422100, 422104

Abstract:

A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface, a venting manifold formed in the second surface, and a vent hole in fluid communication with the venting manifold and atmosphere. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. A venting layer can be disposed between the assay input layer and the output layer. The venting layer can comprise a plurality of microfluidic channels, a flow aperture being in fluid communication with the assay input port and the plurality of microfluidic channels, and a plurality of vent apertures each in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Two or more of the plurality of vent apertures can be in fluid communication with the venting manifold.

US Patent:

7604937, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

Mar 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/090468

Inventors:

Kai Qin Lao - Pleasanton CA, US
Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Applied Biosystems, LLC - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

435 6, 536 2431, 536 2432, 536 2433

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, and kits for detecting the presence or absence of (or quantifying) target polynucleotide sequences in at least one sample using encoding and decoding reactions. When a particular target polynucleotide is present in a sample, a reaction product is formed in the encoding reaction that includes addressable primer portions. At least one label and at least one address primer is employed in the decoding amplification reaction thereby providing a detectable signal value depending upon whether a sequence is present or absent. In some embodiments universal bases and reduced libraries of probes can be employed for highly multiplexed analysis of target polynucleotides.

US Patent:

7670834, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Jun 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/166958

Inventors:

Adrian Fawcett - Pleasanton CA, US
Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Applied Biosystems, LLC - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

C12M 1/00
C12M 3/00

US Classification:

4353031

Abstract:

The present application relates to an apparatus and method for thermal cycling using a source of cooling gas.

US Patent:

7695688, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/086273

Inventors:

Mark T. Reed - Menlo Park CA, US
Albert L. Carrillo - Redwood City CA, US
Ian A. Harding - San Mateo CA, US

Assignee:

Applied Biosystems, LLC - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

B01L 11/00

US Classification:

422103, 422100, 422102

Abstract:

A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.