Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule isolation, detection and manipulation and library synthesis. In particular, the invention provides a bead, which bead comprises: a) a magnetizable substance; and b) an electrically conductive substance or an optical labeling substance. Methods and kits for isolating, detecting and manipulating moieties and synthesizing libraries using the beads are also provided.

Abstract: A device acts as a particle switch to transport and/or re-direct microparticles which are in a fluid suspension. The switch comprises at least three structural branches and the branches may be connected at a common junction. Particles can be transported along the branches as a result of the forces generated along that branch. Particles are transported into or out of the particle switch via the ends of the branches. Particles can be switched from one branch into one of the other branches. Depending on the properties of the particles, the transportation mechanism may be traveling-wave-dielectrophoresis or traveling-wave-electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that diagnosis and prognosis of many conditions can depend on the enrichment of rare cells from a complex fluid sample. In particular, the enrichment of fetal cells from maternal samples, such as maternal blood samples, can greatly aid in the detection of fetal abnormalities or a variety of genetic conditions. In addition, the present invention recognizes that the enrichment of rare malignant cells from patient samples, can aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and development of therapeutic modalities for patients.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a high throughput electrorotation chip having an array of electrorotation units and methods of use thereof. To make the high throughput electrorotation chip, a plurality of electrorotation units (EU) are fabricated on a substrate or support and each EU is capable of producing a rotating electric field upon the application of an appropriate electrical signal. Exemplary embodiments include a row-column configuration of EUs having four electrode elements realized through two conductive-layers. The electrode elements may be linear, concave, or convex. Thin plates having one or multiple holes are bound to high-throughput electrorotation chips to form assay chambers having one or multiple wells. Particles can be introduced to the wells and electrorotation measurements can be performed on the particles.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule isolation, detection and manipulation and library synthesis. In particular, the invention provides a microdevice, which microdevice comprises: a) a magnetizable substance; and b) a photorecognizable coding pattern, wherein said microdevice has a preferential axis of magnetization. Systems and methods for isolating, detecting and manipulating moieties and synthesizing libraries using the microdevices are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of microarray technology. In particular, the invention provides an integrated microarray device, which device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of distinct microlocations and a plurality of microarray chips, wherein the number of said microlocations equals to or is more than the number of said microarray chips. In preferred embodiments, the devices also comprises a temperature controller at some or all of the microlocations. The use of the integrated microarray devices for detecting interactions among various moieties in various fields, such as clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, environmental monitoring and forensic analysis, etc., are further provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule analysis, isolation, detection and manipulation and library synthesis. In particular, the invention provides a microdevice, which microdevice comprises: a) a substrate; and b) a photorecognizable coding pattern on said substrate. Preferably, the microdevice does not comprise an anodized metal surface layer. Methods and kits for isolating, detecting and manipulating moieties, and synthesizing libraries using the microdevices are also provided. The invention further provides two-dimensional optical encoders and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a high throughput electrorotation chip having an array of electrorotation units and methods of use thereof. To make the high throughput electrorotation chip, a plurality of electrorotation units (EU) are fabricated on a substrate or support and each EU is capable of producing a rotating electric field upon the application of an appropriate electrical signal. Exemplary embodiments include a row-column configuration of EUs having four electrode elements realized through two conductive-layers. The electrode elements may be linear, concave, or convex. Thin plates having one or multiple holes are bound to high-throughput electrorotation chips to form assay chambers having one or multiple wells. Particles can be introduced to the wells and electrorotation measurements can be performed on the particles.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition that is an integrated biochip system for processing and analyzing samples using sequential tasks that take place on one or more chips. The system preferably comprises one or more active chips, and can be automated. The invention also includes methods of using an integrated biochip for processing and analyzing samples. The methods include the application of a sample to the system and performing at least two sequential tasks on at least one chip surface. The method includes the use of physical forces, such as dielectrophoretic and electromagnetic forces to process and analyze samples, and includes the use of microparticles that can be coupled to sample components to be manipulated by dielectrophoretic and electromagnetic forces.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of microarray technology. In particular, the invention provides an integrated microarray device, which device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of distinct microlocations and a plurality of microarray chips, wherein the number of said microlocations equals to or is more than the number of said microarray chips. In preferred embodiments, the devices also comprises a temperature controller at some or all of the microlocations. The use of the integrated microarray devices for detecting interactions among various moieties in various fields, such as clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, environmental monitoring and forensic analysis, etc., are further provided.

Abstract: This invention provides electromagnetic chips and electromagnetic biochips having arrays of individually addressable micro-electromagnetic units, as well as methods of utilizing these chips for directed manipulation of micro-particles and micro-structures such as biomolecules and chemical reagents. An electromagnetic biochip comprises an individually addressable micro-electromagnetic unit chip with ligand molecules immobilized on its surface. By controlling the electromagnetic field at each unit of the array and combining this control with magnetic modification of biomolecules, these chips can be used for directed manipulation, synthesis and release of biomolecules in order to increase sensitivity of biochemical or chemical analysis and reduce assay time. Other advantages with these chips include minimized damages to biological molecules and increased reproducibility of assay results.

Abstract: This invention provides electromagnetic chips and electromagnetic biochips having arrays of individually addressable micro-electromagnetic units, as well as methods of utilizing these chips for directed manipulation of micro-particles and micro-structures such as biomolecules and chemical reagents. An electromagnetic biochip comprises an individually addressable micro-electromagnetic unit chip with ligand molecules immobilized on its surface. By controlling the electromagnetic field at each unit of the array and combining this control with magnetic modification of biomolecules, these chips can be used for directed manipulation, synthesis and release of biomolecules in order to increase sensitivity of biochemical or chemical analysis and reduce assay time. Other advantages with these chips include minimized damages to biological molecules and increased reproducibility of assay results.