Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting and treating disease states, including cancer, diabetes, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases, by detecting increased mechanical modulus, or stiffness, or targeting tissues having increased mechanical modulus, or stiffness. Practicing these methods provides specific and localized detection assays and therapies for these disease states. Provided are mechano-responsive cell systems that can selectively detect and treat cancer metastases by targeting the unique biophysical and mechanical properties in the tumor microenvironment. Provided are methods for making mechano-sensitive CAR T cells by using mechano-responsive promoter logic. Provided are blood tests using engineered stem cells that express reporters after the cells home to a specific niche and secrete the reporter into the blood, which can be then be detected with a blood test.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides high throughput, multiplexed systems or methods for detecting a biological, a physiological or a pathological maker, or a single molecule or a single cell using a droplet microfluidics system integrated with use of a sensor or a sensing system, an aptamer, or a DNAzyme. In alternative embodiments, the sensor or sensing system comprises a nucleic acid based, an antibody based, an enzyme based or a chemical based sensor or sensing system. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a biological, a physiological or a pathological marker, or a single molecule or a single cell using a droplet system integrated with rapid and sensitive fluorescence detection systems including, for example, a 3D Particle Detector. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides systems comprising Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digitial Detection (IC 3D).