Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating type I diabetes. Compositions of the invention include active compounds such as harmine, INDY, or derivatives thereof to induce reproduction of beta cells. These active compounds are provided in amounts that have poor clinical efficacy on their own, but when administered at a sub-threshold dose in combination with compounds such as insulin, which helps to maintain steady levels of insulin in the body; metformin, which decreases glucose levels; and repaglinide, which increases insulin production, allow for the slow and steady increase of beta cells.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to microfluidic devices that include orthogonally positioned channels that are slidable relative to each other and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a first channel having an open end, and an open second channel. The first and second channels are slidable relative to each other such that when the open end of the first channel and the open portion of the open second channel are aligned with each other, fluid flows from the first channel into the second channel.

Abstract: A thermal cycling device comprising a number of fixed thermal zones and a fixed conduit passing through the thermal zones. A controller maintains each thermal zone including its section of conduit at a constant temperature. A series of droplets flows through the conduit so that each droplet is thermally cycled, and a detection system detects fluorescence from droplets at all of the thermal cycles. The conduit is in a single plane, and so a number of thermal cycling devices may be arranged together to achieve parallelism. The flow conduit comprises a channel and a capillary tube inserted into the channel. The detection system may perform scans along a direction to detect radiation from a plurality of cycles in a pass.

Abstract: A composition comprising a mixture of: (i) an aromatic polycarbonate; (ii) a graft copolymer including polyacrylonitrile; and, (iii) a non-crosslinked acrylic polymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than or equal to 65,000 Daltons (Da).

Abstract: A matrix inverter is connected to a first and a second multi-phase A.C. voltage network. First inductive elements are connected to the first A.C. voltage network and second inductive elements are connected to the second A.C. voltage network. A switch matrix connects the ends of the first inductive elements, to the ends of the second inductive elements. The switch matrix has inverter units. A regulation arrangement is connected to control inputs of the inverter units. The matrix inverter has a first inverter unit, which is arranged between the ends of the first inductive circuit elements and earth potential. The matrix inverter has a second inverter unit, connected between the ends of the first inductive circuit elements and the ends of the second inductive circuit elements. The regulation arrangement insures that the electrical power flowing to the matrix inverter is equal to the electrical power flowing out of the matrix inverter.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of conducting a nucleic acid reaction, including methods for performing digital PCR using a “droplet-in-oil” technology. In the methods, the starting sampled is segmented at least partially into a set of sample droplets each containing on average about one or fewer copies of a target nucleic acid. The droplets are passed in a continuous flow of immiscible carrier fluid through a channel that passes through a thermal cycler, whereby the target is amplified. In one implementation, the droplets are about 350 nl each and the number of positively amplified droplets is counted at the near-saturation point.

Abstract: The invention provides mechanical devices that can be used to combine reagents and discover their effects on living cells. A device of the invention holds liquids in open-ended channels and transfers liquids from one channel to another by bringing a second channel into proximity and alignment with an open end of a first channel. Channels of the device can include fluid partitions (e.g., water-oil-water emulsions) that include living cells. The device includes a mechanical system the operation of which causes a receiving channel to pass among supply channels, aligning with each in turn, to pick up chemicals from those channels and make new combinations within the receiving channel. The device then presents those new chemical combinations to the living cells within their respective partitions, thereby allowing for the determination of the effects of those combinations on living cells.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to microfluidic devices that include channels that are slidable relative to each other and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a first channel having an open end, and a second channel having an open end. The first and second channels are slidable relative to each other such that when the open end of the first channel and the open end of the second channel are aligned with each other, fluid flows from the first channel into the second channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic analysis system (1) performs polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on a bio sample. In a centrifuge (6) the sample is separated into DNA and RNA constituents. The vortex is created by opposing flow of a silicon oil primary carrier fluid effecting circulation by viscous drag. The bio sample exits the centrifuge enveloped in the primary carrier fluid. This is pumped by a flow controller (7) to a thermal stage (9). The thermal stage (9) has a number of microfluidic devices (70) each having thermal zones (71, 72, 73) in which the bio sample is heated or cooled by heat conduction to/from a thermal carrier fluid and the primary carrier fluid. Thus, the carrier fluids envelope the sample, control its flowrate, and control its temperature without need for moving parts at the micro scale.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for analyzing the affect of at least one agent on a cell or cellular component using an analysis system. The method includes wrapping a droplet in an immiscible carrier fluid using a droplet generator wherein the wrapped droplet includes at least one cell or cellular component and at least one agent. The wrapped droplet then flows through the analysis system using a siphoning effect. The droplet is then analyzed to determine effect of the agent on the cell or cellular component.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising: (a) a star polymer comprising: (i) a core portion comprising a polyvalent (meth) acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof or a polyvalent divinyl non-acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof; and (ii) at least two arms of polymerized alkyl (meth)acrylate ester; and (b) an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the core portion further comprises a functional group of formula (I): —CH2—C(R1)(C(?O)A)-Y—??(I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms; A is nitrogen or oxygen; and Y is a free radical leaving group selected from the group consisting of one or more atoms or groups of atoms which may be transferred by a radical mechanism under the polymerisation conditions, a halogen, an —O—N? group and an —S—C(?S)— group. The invention further provides the use of the composition in an oil of lubricating viscosity as a dispersant, a viscosity modifier or a precursor to a dispersant viscosity modifier.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of constructing liquid bridges and methods of forming predetermined combinations of samples using liquid bridges.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising: (a) a star polymer comprising: (i) a core portion comprising a polyvalent (meth)acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof or a polyvalent divinyl non-acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof; and (ii) at least two arms of polymerized alkyl(meth)acrylate ester; and (b) an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the core portion further comprises a functional group of formula (I): —CH2—C(R1)(C(?O)A)-Y—??(I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms; A is nitrogen or oxygen; and Y is a free radical leaving group selected from the group consisting of one or more atoms or groups of atoms which may be transferred by a radical mechanism under the polymerization conditions, a halogen, an —O—N? group and an —S—C(?S)— group. The invention further provides the use of the composition in an oil of lubricating viscosity as a dispersant, a viscosity modifier or a precursor to a dispersant viscosity modifier.

Abstract: A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30).

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.

Abstract: A microfluidic connector (1) comprises and enclosure (6, 7), a fluidic inlet port (2) and a fluidic outlet port (3), in the enclosure, in which the inlet and outlet ports (2, 3) are movable with respect to each other, for example, mutual spacing between the inlet and outlet ports (2, 3) is variable. A port (2) is in a fixed part (6) of the enclosure, and another port (3) is in a part (7) of the enclosure which slides with respect to the fixed part. There may be multiple inlet ports (22, 23) and/or multiple outlet ports (24, 25). Also, there may be an auxiliary port (45) for introduction of fluid into the enclosure (47, 48) or removal of fluid from the enclosure.

Abstract: A bridge comprises a first inlet port, a second inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber. The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber. The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port, and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge. In another embodiment, a droplet segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: Measurement of gene expression relative to an endogenous control gene is prone to excessive variability between samples and even replicates. The disclosure provides methods for normalizing expression levels of a gene by scaling gene expression levels to that of the most highly expressed gene in the set of genes whose expression levels are measured, rather than a house-keeping gene.

Abstract: A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries help in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow.