Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

Abstract: A method for characterizing extracellular vesicles at an individual level is described. It comprises obtaining a sample comprising extracellular vesicles to be characterized and functionalizing the extracellular vesicles with plasmonic nanoparticles or a plasmonic coating. The method further comprises irradiating the individual extracellular vesicles with a laser beam and detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy signal from said individual extracellular vesicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier. The method comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step. The apparatus comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope or labelling means such as a high spatial resolution light source, and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: A method for characterizing extracellular vesicles at an individual level is described. It comprises obtaining a sample comprising extracellular vesicles to be characterized and functionalizing the extracellular vesicles with plasmonic nanoparticles or a plasmonic coating. The method further comprises irradiating the individual extracellular vesicles with a laser beam and detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy signal from said individual extracellular vesicle.

Abstract: A method for altering and/or disrupting a microbiological film is described. The method comprises introducing a composition into a microbiological film, the composition comprising nano- or microparticles having an electron density that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said microbiological film by said electromagnetic radiation such as to form a vapour bubbles using said nano- or microparticles in said microbiological biofilm, thereby generating a mechanical force for locally altering and/or disrupting said microbiological film when said vapour bubbles expand and/or collapse.

Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

Abstract: Encoded microcarriers, and more specifically microcarriers having codes written on them. Methods for writing the codes on the microcarriers, methods of reading the codes, and methods of using the encoded microcarriers. A preferred method of encoding the microcarriers involves exposing microcarriers containing a bleachable substance to a high spatial resolution light source to bleach the codes on the microcarriers. The encoded microcarriers may be used, for example, as support materials in chemical and biological assays and syntheses.

Abstract: Encoded microcarriers, and more specifically microcarriers having codes written on them. Methods for writing the codes on the microcarriers, methods of reading the codes, and methods of using the encoded microcarriers. A preferred method of encoding the microcarriers involves exposing microcarriers containing a bleachable substance to a high spatial resolution light source to bleach the codes on the microcarriers. The encoded microcarriers may be used, for example, as support materials in chemical and biological assays and syntheses.

Abstract: Encoded microcarriers, and more specifically microcarriers having codes written on them. Methods for writing the codes on the microcarriers, methods of reading the codes, and methods of using the encoded microcarriers. A preferred method of encoding the microcarriers involves exposing microcarriers containing a bleachable substance to a high spatial resolution light source to bleach the codes on the microcarriers. The encoded microcarriers may be used, for example, as support materials in chemical and biological assays and syntheses.

Abstract: An optical device is described for irradiating at least one object in a medium. The optical device may be a microfluidics device, and comprises at least one integrated planar waveguide that enables providing sheet irradiation of objects in the medium. A characterization system including such an optical device and a corresponding method of characterizing an object or a fluid are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step. Also disclosed is an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope or labelling means such as a high spatial resolution light source, and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: Encoded microcarriers, and more specifically microcarriers having codes written on them. Methods for writing the codes on the microcarriers, methods of reading the codes, and methods of using the encoded microcarriers. A preferred method of encoding the microcarriers involves exposing microcarriers containing a bleachable substance to a high spatial resolution light source to bleach the codes on the microcarriers. The encoded microcarriers may be used, for example, as support materials in chemical and biological assays and syntheses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step, wherein the identification purpose step is a detection step for the detection of an encoded microcarrier having an anisotropy in its shape. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: An optical device is described for irradiating at least one object in a medium. The optical device may be a microfluidics device, and comprises at least one integrated planar waveguide that enables providing sheet irradiation of objects in the medium. A characterization system including such an optical device and a corresponding method of characterizing an object or a fluid are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step, wherein the identification purpose step is a detection step for the detection of an encoded microcarrier having an anisotropy in its shape. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscoper and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carriers, which are coated by at least one layer of polyelectrolytes and one layer of magnetic material. These carriers can be manipulated in a magnetic field. The application of the coating of the present invention on microcarriers comprising a fluorescent core results in a carrier with a homogeneous luminescence. Additionally, where the core is provided with a code, this allows improved reading thereof.

Abstract: The equilibrium between G actin and F actin is shifted towards the F actin confirmation with compounds such as the ionic form of magnesium or potassium. The higher amount of F actin decreases the inhibition of nucleases such as DNAse I by monomeric G actin. The increased performance of the nuclease results in better treatment of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis or other diseases with viscous mucus.

Abstract: Encoded microcarriers, and more specifically microcarriers having codes written on them. Methods for writing the codes on the microcarriers, methods of reading the codes, and methods of using the encoded microcarriers. A preferred method of encoding the microcarriers involves exposing microcarriers containing a bleachable substance to a high spatial resolution light source to bleach the codes on the microcarriers. The encoded microcarriers may be used, for example, as support materials in chemical and biological assays and syntheses.

Abstract: The equilibrium between G actin and F actin is shifted towards the F actin confirmation with compounds such as the ionic form of magnesium or potassium. The higher amount of F actin decreases the inhibition of nucleases such as DNAse I by monomeric G actin. The increased performance of the nuclease results in better treatment of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis or other diseases with viscous mucus.