Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for storing, reconstituting and accessing one or more library of assay components within library storage elements in a microfluidic device. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention are useful in screening large libraries of molecules.

Abstract: Fluid introduction is facilitated through the use of a port which extends entirely through a microfluidic substrate. Capillary forces can be used to retain the fluid within the port, and a series of samples or other fluids may be introduced through a single port by sequentially blowing the fluid out through the substrate and replacing the removed fluid with an alternate fluid, or by displacing the fluid in part with additional fluid. In another aspect, microfluidic substrates have channels which varying in cross-sectional dimension so that capillary action spreads a fluid only within a limited portion of the channel network. In yet another aspect, the introduction ports may include a multiplicity of very small channels leading from the port to a fluid channel, so as to filter out particles or other contaminants which might otherwise block the channel at the junction between the channel and the introduction port.

Abstract: Fluid introduction is facilitated through the use of a port which extends entirely through a microfluidic substrate. Capillary forces can be used to retain the fluid within the port, and a series of samples or other fluids may be introduced through a single port by sequentially blowing the fluid out through the substrate and replacing the removed fluid with an alternate fluid, or by displacing the fluid in part with additional fluid. In another aspect, microfluidic substrates have channels which varying in cross-sectional dimension so that capillary action spreads a fluid only within a limited portion of the channel network. In yet another aspect, the introduction ports may include a multiplicity of very small channels leading from the port to a fluid channel, so as to filter out particles or other contaminants which might otherwise block the channel at the junction between the channel and the introduction port.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a polypeptide, comprising providing a first capillary channel having a separation buffer disposed within, wherein the separation buffer comprises a non-crosslinked polymer solution, a buffering agent, a detergent, and a lipophilic dye. The separation buffer is provided such that, at the time of detection, the detergent concentration in the buffer is not above the critical micelle concentration. The polypeptide is introduced into one end of the capillary channel. An electric field is applied across a length of the capillary channel, which transports polypeptides of different sizes through the polymer solution at different rates. The polypeptide is then detected as it passes a point along the length of the capillary channel.

Abstract: Fluid introduction is facilitated through the use of a port which extends entirely through a microfluidic substrate. Capillary forces can be used to retain the fluid within the port, and a series of samples or other fluids may be introduced through a single port by sequentially blowing the fluid out through the substrate and replacing the removed fluid with an alternate fluid, or by displacing the fluid in part with additional fluid. In another aspect, microfluidic substrates have channels which varying in cross-sectional dimension so that capillary action spreads a fluid only within a limited portion of the channel network. In yet another aspect, the introduction ports may include a multiplicity of very small channels leading from the port to a fluid channel, so as to filter out particles or other contaminants which might otherwise block the channel at the junction between the channel and the introduction port.

Abstract: An analytical or preparatory system comprised as a base unit, an adapter, and a substrate. The adapter is attached to an attachment region on the base unit, and containing flow biasing connectors for delivering energy to selected regions of the substrate. The substrate is attached to an attachment region on the adapter. The adapter permits the base unit to be interfaced with a wide variety of different substrates to perform chemical and biological analytical analyses and preparatory procedures.

Abstract: Fluid introduction is facilitated through the use of a port which extends entirely through a microfluidic substrate. Capillary forces can be used to retain the fluid within the port, and a series of samples or other fluids may be introduced through a single port by sequentially blowing the fluid out through the substrate and replacing the removed fluid with an alternate fluid, or by displacing the fluid in part with additional fluid. In another aspect, microfluidic substrates have channels which varying in cross-sectional dimension so that capillary action spreads a fluid only within a limited portion of the channel network. In yet another aspect, the introduction ports may include a multiplicity of very small channels leading from the port to a fluid channel, so as to filter out particles or other contaminants which might otherwise block the channel at the junction between the channel and the introduction port.

Abstract: In a microfluidic system using electrokinetic forces, the present invention uses electrical current or electrical parameters, other than voltage, to control the movement of fluids through the channels of the system. Time-multiplexed power supplies also provide further control over fluid movement by varying the voltage on an electrode connected to a fluid reservoir of the microfluidic system, by varying the duty cycle during which the voltage is applied to the electrode, or by a combination of both. A time-multiplexed power supply can also be connected to more than one electrode for a savings in cost.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are provided for the performance of chemical and biochemical analyses, syntheses and detection. The devices of the invention combine precise fluidic control systems with microfabricated polymeric substrates to provide accurate, low cost miniaturized analytical devices that have broad applications in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields.

Abstract: An analytical or preparatory system comprised as a base unit, an adapter, and a substrate. The adapter is attached to an attachment region on the base unit, and the substrate is attached to an attachment region on the adapter. The adapter permits the base unit to be interfaced with a wide variety of different substrates to perform chemical and biological analytical analyses and preparatory procedures. An interface array is disposed upon the adapter. The interface array contains electrical pins, electrical contacts or electrical contact pads that directly engage fluid containing reservoirs disposed on a microfluidic device and which are coupled to a power supply.

Abstract: An analytical system comprised as a base unit, an adapter, and a sample substrate. The adapter is attached to an attachment region on the base unit, and the sample substrate is attached to an attachment region on the adapter. The adapter permits the base unit to be interfaced with a wide variety of different sample substrates to perform chemical and biological analytical analyses.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer microfluidic systems, by providing additional substrate layers, e.g., third, fourth, fifth and more substrate layers, mated with the typically described first and second layers. Microfabricated elements, e.g., grooves, wells and the like, are manufactured into the surfaces between the various substrate layers. These microfabricated elements define the various microfluidic aspects or structures of the overall device, e.g., channels, chambers and the like. In preferred aspects, a separate microscale channel network is provided between each of the substrate layers.

Abstract: Time dependent iterative reactions are carried out in microscale fluidic channels by configuring the channels such that reagents from different sources are delivered to a central reaction zone at different times during the analysis, allowing for the performance of a variety of time dependent, and/or iterative reactions in simplified microfluidic channels. Exemplary analyses include the determination of dose responses for biological and biochemical systems.

Abstract: An analytical or preparatory system comprised as a base unit, an adapter, and a substrate. The adapter is attached to an attachment region on the base unit, and the substrate is attached to an attachment region on the adapter. The adapter permits the base unit to be interfaced with a wide variety of different substrates to perform chemical and biological analytical analyses and preparatory procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer microfluidic systems, by providing additional substrate layers, e.g., third, fourth, fifth and more substrate layers, mated with the typically described first and second layers. Microfabricated elements, e.g., grooves, wells and the like, are manufactured into the surfaces between the various substrate layers. These microfabricated elements define the various microfluidic aspects or structures of the overall device, e.g., channels, chambers and the like. In preferred aspects, a separate microscale channel network is provided between each of the substrate layers.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are provided for the performance of chemical and biochemical analyses, syntheses and detection. The devices of the invention combine precise fluidic control systems with microfabricated polymeric substrates to provide accurate, low cost miniaturized analytical devices that have broad applications in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields.

Abstract: A novel method and device for transporting and/or monitoring a fluid in a multi-port device 400, 800, 1000 used in a microfluidic system is provided. The multi-port device includes a substrate having a novel channel configuration. A first channel region 413 having a first port and a second port for transporting fluid therebetween is defined in the substrate. A second channel region 421 having a first port and a second port for applying electric current for heating fluid or for monitoring a fluid parameter therebetween is also defined in the substrate. In some embodiments, the first channel intersects 407 with the second channel. The heating or monitoring aspect of the invention can be used with a variety of biological reactions such as PCR, LCR, and others.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer microfluidic systems, by providing additional substrate layers, e.g., third, fourth, fifth and more substrate layers, mated with the typically described first and second layers. Microfabricated elements, e.g., grooves, wells and the like, are manufactured into the surfaces between the various substrate layers. These microfabricated elements define the various microfluidic aspects or structures of the overall device, e.g., channels, chambers and the like. In preferred aspects, a separate microscale channel network is provided between each of the substrate layers.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are provided for the performance of chemical and biochemical analyses, syntheses and detection. The devices of the invention combine precise fluidic control systems with microfabricated polymeric substrates to provide accurate, low cost miniaturized analytical devices that have broad applications in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields.

Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multiwell microtiter plates or other array structures. The multiwell plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multiwell plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.