SNPstream UHT: ultra-high throughput SNP genotyping for pharmacogenomics and drug discovery.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping is playing an increasing role in genome mapping, pharmacogenetic studies, and drug discovery. To date, genome-wide scans and studies involving thousands of SNPs and samples have been hampered by the lack of a system that can perform genotyping with cost-effective throughput, accuracy, and reliability. To address this need, Orrhid has developed an automated, ultra-high throughput system, SNPstream UHT, which uses multiplexed PCR in conjunction with our next generation SNP-IT tag array single base extension genotyping technology The system employs oligonucleotide microarrays manufactured in a 384-well format on a novel glass-bottomed plate. Multiplexed PCR and genotyping are performed in homogeneous reactions, and assay results are read by direct two-color fluorescence on the SNPstream UHTArray Imager. The systems flexibility enables large projects involving thousands of SNPs and thousands of samples as well as small projects that have hundreds of SNPs and hundreds of samples to be done cost effectively. We have successfully demonstrated this system in greater than 1,000,000 genotyping assays with >96% of samples giving genotypes with >99% accuracy

The effects of corrosive substances on human bone, teeth, hair, nails, and soft tissue.

This research investigates the effects of household chemicals on human tissues. Five different human tissues (bone, tooth, hair, fingernails, and skin/muscle/fat) were immersed into six different corrosive agents. These agents consisted of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, lye, bleach, organic septic cleaner, and Coca-Cola(®) soda. Tap water was used as a control. Tissue samples were cut to consistent sizes and submerged in the corrosive liquids. Over time, the appearance, consistency, and weight were documented. Hydrochloric acid was the most destructive agent in this study, consuming most tissues within 24 h. Sulfuric acid was the second most destructive agent in this study. Bleach, lye, and cola had no structural effects on the hard tissues of the body, but did alter the appearance or integrity of the hair, nails, or flesh in some way. The organic septic cleaner and tap water had no effect on any of the human tissue tested during the timeframe of the study.

Uniform catalytic site in Sn-beta-zeolite determined using X-ray absorption fine structure.

The Sn silicate zeolite, Sn-beta, has been shown to be an efficient, selective heterogeneous catalyst for Baeyer-Villiger oxidations. Using primarily a multishell fit to extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data, we show that the Sn does not randomly insert into the beta-zeolite structure but rather occupies identical, specific, crystallographic sites. These sites are the T5/T6 sites in the six-membered rings. Moreover, the Sn is substituted in pairs on opposite sides of these six-membered rings. We believe that it is the specific, uniform crystallographic location of the Sn in the beta crystal structure that leads to sites with uniform catalytic activity, and consequently to the high chemical selectivity demonstrated for this catalyst. This manifests itself in the almost enzyme-like selectivity of this catalyst in Baeyer-Villiger oxidations. This uniform site distribution of the Sn suggests that there is likely a symbiotic relationship between the structure-directing agent in the zeolite synthesis and the Sn heteroatoms during the framework formation.