Robert L Austin

US Patent:

6632652, Oct 14, 2003

Filed:

Sep 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/153054

Inventors:

Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ
Robert H. Carlson - Union City CA

Assignee:

Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12M 100

US Classification:

4352872, 4352831, 435 71, 204450, 204600, 2041801, 204299, 2041271, 209155, 209156, 422 55, 422 57, 436527, 436164, 436149

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for sorting microstructures, such as macromolecules, viruses, cells, and minute particles, in a fluid using microlithographic sorting array that is reversibly sealed by a cover. A silicone elastomer cover is used in one embodiment. In another, silicon microstructures are used to case elastomeric replicas of obstacle arrays, the tops of which reversibly seal against a flat surface. The reversible seal allows access to fractionated microstructures within the structure for further analysis.

US Patent:

6790671, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Aug 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/373822

Inventors:

Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ
Jonas O. Tegenfeldt - Princeton NJ
Eugene Y. Chan - Boston MA

Assignee:

Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12Q 168

US Classification:

436172, 436 94, 436164, 436177, 422 8201, 422 8205, 422 8208, 422 8212, 204155, 204603, 2504581, 2504611, 2504612, 356344, 435 6, 435808

Abstract:

The invention relates to new systems, methods and products for analyzing polymers and in particular new systems, methods and products useful for obtaining sequence information from polymers. The invention has numerous advantages over prior art systems and methods used to obtain sequence-related information. Using the methods of the invention the entire human genome could be analyzed several orders of magnitude faster than could be accomplished using conventional technology. In addition to obtaining sequencing information for the entire genome, the systems, methods and products of the invention can be used to create comprehensive and multiple expression maps for developmental and disease processes. The ability to analyze an individuals genome and to generate multiple expression maps will greatly enhance the ability to determine the genetic basis of any phenotypic trait or disease process.

US Patent:

6824664, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Nov 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/707892

Inventors:

Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ
Jonas O. Tegenfeldt - Princeton NJ
Edward C. Cox - Princeton NJ
Chia Fu Chou - Chandler AZ
Olgica Bakajin - Washington DC

Assignee:

Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C02F 140

US Classification:

204643

Abstract:

The present invention further provides a device for the integrated micromanipulation, amplification, and analysis of polarized particles such as DNA comprises a microchip which contains constrictions of insulating material for dielectrophoresis powered by an alternating current or direct current signal generator, and attached to a hot source that can be heated to specific temperatures. Nucleic acids can be heated and cooled to allow for denaturation, and the annealing of complementary primers and enzymatic reactions, as in a thermocycling reaction. After such a reaction has been completed at the constriction, the dielectrophoretic field can be switched to a direct field to release the product and direct it through a matrix for fractionation. The device includes data analysis equipment for the control of these operations, and imaging equipment for the analysis of the products. The invention permits the efficient handling of minute samples in large numbers, since reactions occur while sample material is trapped between constrictions.

US Patent:

6881317, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Dec 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022189

Inventors:

Lotien Richard Huang - Princeton NJ, US
James Christopher Sturm - Princeton NJ, US
Robert Hamilton Austin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

The Trustees of Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C02F001/40
C02F011/00
C25B011/00
G01N015/06
G01N001/00

US Classification:

204608, 422 50, 422 52, 422 58, 422 63, 422 681, 422 81, 422 82, 422 8205, 422 8208, 422 8209, 422100, 422102, 422103, 422104, 436 8, 436 43, 436174, 204600, 204601, 204450, 204451, 204458, 700 1, 700266, 700273

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for fractionation of charged macro-molecules such as DNA is provided. DNA solution is loaded into a matrix including an array of obstacles. An alternating electric field having two different fields at different orientations is applied. The alternating electric field is asymmetric in that one field is stronger in duration or intensity than the other field, or is otherwise asymmetric. The DNA molecules are thereby fractionated according to site and are driven to a far side of the matrix where the fractionated DNA is recovered. The fractionating electric field can be used to load and recover the DNA to operate the process continuously.

US Patent:

7217562, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Apr 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414620

Inventors:

Han Cao - Blawenburg NJ, US
Jonas O. Tegenfeldt - Lund, SE
Stephen Chou - Princeton NJ, US
Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12M 3/00
C12Q 1/68
G01N 15/06
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

4352872, 4352882, 4352885, 4352886, 422 50, 422 681, 422 99, 536 231

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to nanochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient.

US Patent:

7670770, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/484293

Inventors:

Stephen Y. Chou - Princeton NJ, US
Han Cao - Blawenburg NJ, US
Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ, US
Zhaoning Yu - Princeton NJ, US
Jonas O. Tegenfeldt - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

The Trustees of Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C12M 1/36
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

435 6, 4352831, 4352872, 4352882, 4352885, 422 681, 422 8205, 536 231, 977704, 977880, 977883

Abstract:

Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.

US Patent:

8017036, Sep 13, 2011

Filed:

Mar 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/049124

Inventors:

Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ, US
Shuang Fang Lim - Singapore, SG
Robert Riehn - Freital, DE

Assignee:

The Trustees of Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C09K 11/08
C09K 11/56
C09K 11/61

US Classification:

2523014R, 2523014 H, 2523014 S, 2523016 R, 2523016 S, 2523014 F, 2523016 F, 423263

Abstract:

Methods for forming rare earth element doped oxide, oxyhalide and oxysulfide activated nanoparticles by the following method steps:.

US Patent:

8333934, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Sep 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/536178

Inventors:

Han Cao - Blawenburg NJ, US
Jonas O. Tegenfeldt - Lund, SE
Stephen Chou - Princeton NJ, US
Robert H. Austin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

Princeton University - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

G01N 21/00
G01N 21/75
G01N 33/00
B01L 3/00

US Classification:

422502, 422 63, 422 93, 422414

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to nanochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient.