Abstract: Liquid dispensing devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include an actuator comprising a movable shaft; an elongated body, e.g., a cylinder, comprising a central channel, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises an orifice; and a plunger comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein: the proximal end is mechanically coupled to the movable shaft, and at least a portion of the distal end of the plunger is moveably positioned within the central channel. Also provided are systems that incorporate the liquid handling device, which may be present as an array of liquid handling devices, as well as methods of using the devices and systems, e.g., in liquid dispensing applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for dispensing into the wells of a multi-well device and imaging such wells from multiple Z-planes. Multi-Z imaging of the present methods and systems may allow for the detection of wells of a multi-well device that contain a desired number of cells. Also provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for processing cell-containing wells of a multi-well device identified through the use of multi-Z imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for dispensing and visualizing single cells. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for dispensing a dispense volume into a plurality of wells of a multi-well device, where, on average, a pre-determined number of cells (e.g., 1-20) are present in the dispense volume, and determining, via a cellular label, the number of cells present in each of the plurality of wells. Such dispensing and cell detection may be repeated a number of times with respect to wells identified as having less than the pre-determined number of cells in order increase the number wells in the multi-well device containing the desired number (e.g., a single cell).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for dispensing and visualizing single cells. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for dispensing a dispense volume into a plurality of wells of a multi-well device, where, on average, a pre-determined number of cells (e.g., 1-20) are present in the dispense volume, and determining, via a cellular label, the number of cells present in each of the plurality of wells. Such dispensing and cell detection may be repeated a number of times with respect to wells identified as having less than the pre-determined number of cells in order increase the number wells in the multi-well device containing the desired number (e.g., a single cell).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for dispensing and visualizing single cells. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for dispensing a dispense volume into a plurality of wells of a multi-well device, where, on average, a pre-determined number of cells (e.g., 1-20) are present in the dispense volume, and determining, via a cellular label, the number of cells present in each of the plurality of wells. Such dispensing and cell detection may be repeated a number of times with respect to wells identified as having less than the pre-determined number of cells in order increase the number wells in the multi-well device containing the desired number (e.g., a single cell).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for dispensing and visualizing single cells. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for dispensing a dispense volume into a plurality of wells of a multi-well device, where, on average, a pre-determined number of cells (e.g., 1-20) are present in the dispense volume, and determining, via a cellular label, the number of cells present in each of the plurality of wells. Such dispensing and cell detection may be repeated a number of times with respect to wells identified as having less than the pre-determined number of cells in order increase the number wells in the multi-well device containing the desired number (e.g., a single cell).

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for dispensing into the wells of a multi-well device and imaging such wells from multiple Z-planes. Multi-Z imaging of the present methods and systems may allow for the detection of wells of a multi-well device that contain a desired number of cells. Also provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for processing cell-containing wells of a multi-well device identified through the use of multi-Z imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for dispensing and visualizing single cells. For example, provided herein are systems and methods for dispensing a dispense volume into a plurality of wells of a multi-well device, where, on average, a pre-determined number of cells (e.g., 1-20) are present in the dispense volume, and determining, via a cellular label, the number of cells present in each of the plurality of wells. Such dispensing and cell detection may be repeated a number of times with respect to wells identified as having less than the pre-determined number of cells in order increase the number wells in the multi-well device containing the desired number (e.g., a single cell).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for counting and dispensing single or multiple cells (e.g., into the open wells of a multi-well testing device). In certain embodiments, the systems comprise: a) a fluid movement component composed of upstream and downstream electrode conduits connected to a non-conductive conduit, and b) an electronic signal detector electrically linked to the upstream and downstream electrode conduits such that, when a fluid is present in the fluid movement component, an electrical circuit is established that is altered when a cell passes through the non-conductive conduit. In other embodiments, the systems comprises a) a fluid movement component composed of an upstream electrode conduit connected to a non-conductive conduit, b) an in-well electrode, and c) an electronic signal detector electrically linked to the upstream electrode conduit and the in-well electrode.