Abstract: The present invention includes methods of enriching rare cells, such as cancer cells, from biological samples, such as blood samples. The methods include performing at least one debulking step on a blood sample and selectively removing at least one type undesirable component from the blood sample to obtain a blood sample that is enriched in a rare cell of interest. In some embodiments magnetic beads coupled to specific binding members are used to selectively removed components.

Abstract: The present invention includes biochips for the measurement of cellular ion channels and methods of use and manufacture. The biochips of the present invention have enhanced sealing capabilities provided in part by chemically modifying the surface of the biochip surface or substrate or by exposure to an ionized gas. The present invention also includes novel cartridges for biochips.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods of enriching rare cells, such as cancer cells, from biological samples, such as blood samples. The methods include performing at least one debulking step on a blood sample and selectively removing at least one type undesirable component from the blood sample to obtain a blood sample that is enriched in a rare cell of interest. In some embodiments magnetic beads coupled to specific binding members are used to selectively removed components.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for isolating and detecting rare cells from a biological sample containing other types of cells, particularly including debulking that uses a microfabricated filter for filtering samples. The enriched rare cells can be used in a downstream process such as identification, characterization or growth in culture, or in other ways. Also included is a method of determining tumor aggressiveness or the number or proportion of cancer cells in the enriched sample by detecting telomerase activity, nucleic acid or expression after enrichment of rare cells. Also provided is an efficient, rapid method to specifically remove red and white blood cells from a biological sample containing at least one of the cell types, leading to enrichment of rare target cells including circulating tumor (CTC), stromal, mesenchymal, endothelial, fetal, stem, or non-hematopoietic cells et cetera from a blood sample.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that diagnosis and prognosis of many conditions can depend on the enrichment of rare cells, especially tumor cells, from a complex fluid sample such as a blood sample. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions for detecting a non-hematopoietic cell, e.g., a non-hematopoietic tumor cell, in a blood sample via, inter alia, removing red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample using a non-centrifugation procedure, removing white blood cells (WBCs) from said blood sample to enrich a non-hematopoietic cell, if any, from said blood sample; and assessing the presence, absence and/or amount of said enriched non-hematopoietic cell.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that diagnosis and prognosis of many conditions can depend on the enrichment of rare cells, especially tumor cells, from a complex fluid sample such as a blood sample. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions for detecting a non-hematopoietic cell, e.g., a non-hematopoietic tumor cell, in a blood sample via, inter alia, removing red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample using a non-centrifugation procedure, removing white blood cells (WBCs) from said blood sample to enrich a non-hematopoietic cell, if any, from said blood sample; and assessing the presence, absence and/or amount of said enriched non-hematopoietic cell.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for isolating and detecting rare cells from a biological sample containing other types of cells, particularly including debulking that uses a microfabricated filter for filtering samples. The enriched rare cells can be used in a downstream process such as identification, characterization or growth in culture, or in other ways. Also included is a method of determining tumor aggressiveness or the number or proportion of cancer cells in the enriched sample by detecting telomerase activity, nucleic acid or expression after enrichment of rare cells. Also provided is an efficient, rapid method to specifically remove red and white blood cells from a biological sample containing at least one of the cell types, leading to enrichment of rare target cells including circulating tumor (CTC), stromal, mesenchymal, endothelial, fetal, stem, or non-hematopoietic cells et cetera from a blood sample.

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. In certain embodiments, 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: The present invention recognizes that the determination of ion transport function or property using direct detection methods, such as patch-clamps, whole cell recording or single channel recording, are preferable to methods that utilize indirect detection methods, such as FRET based detection system. The present invention provides biochips and methods of use that allow for the direct analysis of ion transport function or property using microfabricated structures that can allow for automated detection of ion transport function or property. These biochips and methods of use thereof are particularly appropriate for automating the detection of ion transport function or property, particularly for screening purposes.

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 the 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: 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 the 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 recognizes that the determination of an ion transport function or property using direct detection methods, such as patch-clamps, whole cell recording or single channel recording, are preferable to methods that utilize indirect detection methods, such as FRET based detection system. The present invention provides biochips and methods of use that allow for the direct analysis of ion transport functions or properties using microfabricated structures that can allow for automated detection of one or more ion transport functions or properties. These biochips and methods of use thereof are particularly appropriate for automating the detection of ion transport functions or properties, particularly for screening purposes.

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: The present invention recognizes that the determination of ion transport function or properties using direct detection methods, such as whole cell recording or single channel recording, are preferable to methods that utilize indirect detection methods, such as FRET based detection system. The present invention provides biochips and other fluidic components and methods of use that allow for the direct analysis of ion transport function or properties using microfabricated structures that can allow for automated detection of ion transport function or properties. These biochips and fluidic components and methods of use thereof are particularly appropriate for automating the detection of ion transport function or properties, particularly for screening purposes.

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 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: 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. The invention includes microfabricated filters for filtering fluid samples and methods of enriching rare cells of fluid samples using microfabricated filters of the present invention. The invention also includes solutions for the selective sedimentation of red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample and methods of using selective RBC sedimentation solutions for enriching rare cells of a fluid sample.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule manipulation in a chip format. In particular, the invention provides a method for manipulating a moiety in a microfluidic application, which method comprises: a) coupling a moiety to be manipulated onto surface of a binding partner of said moiety to form a moiety-binding partner complex; and b) manipulating said moiety-binding partner complex with a physical force in a chip format, wherein said manipulation is effected through a combination of a structure that is external to said chip and a structure that is built-in in said chip, thereby said moiety is manipulated.

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: 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. A first aspect of the present invention is a microfabricated filter for filtering a fluid sample. A microfabricated filter of the present invention comprises at least one tapered pore, and preferably comprises at least two tapered pores whose variation in size is 20% or less. The present invention also includes a method of enriching rare cells of a fluid sample using a microfabricated filter of the present invention.