Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a circuit substrate with a control unit, a switching mechanism associated with a dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode, and a memory unit are described. Switching instructions may be received, stored, and retrieved by the control unit and used to control the DEP electrode via the switching mechanism. Systems comprising the described microfluidic devices and methods of controlling the described microfluidic devices are included herein.

Abstract: Incubators including an enclosure with an internal chamber configured to support a cell culture plate comprising a plurality of wells are disclosed. The enclosure includes a plurality of openings configured to allow access to the wells. The incubators include a sealing element configured to seal the plurality of openings in the enclosure. The sealing element comprises a plurality of openings corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of openings in the enclosure. Access to the internal chamber can be provided by aligning the plurality of openings in the sealing element with the plurality of openings in the enclosure. Methods for using the incubators are also provided.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to provide improved or altered performance with biomaterials.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to activate T Lymphocytes.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for screening an antibody producing cell within a microfluidic environment. The antibody producing cell may be a B cell lymphocyte, which may be a memory B cell or a plasma cell. An antigen of interest may be brought into proximity with the antibody producing cell and binding of the antigen by an antibody produced by the antibody producing cell may be monitored. Methods of obtaining a sequencing library from an antibody producing cell are also described.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to study cells in isolation so that cells having unique and desirable properties can be identified within a heterogenous mixture of cells. Processes and methods disclosed herein provide for encapsulating cells within a microfluidic device and assaying the encapsulated cells. Encapsulation can, among other benefits, facilitate analyses of cells that generate secretions of interest which would otherwise rapidly diffuse away or mix with the secretions of other cells.

Abstract: Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces and related kits, methods, and uses are provided. The proto-antigen-presenting surface can comprise a plurality of primary activating molecular ligands comprising a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule configured to bind to a T cell receptor (TCR) of a T cell and a plurality of co-activating molecular ligands each including a TCR co-activating molecule or an adjunct TCR activating molecule, wherein an exchange factor is bound to the MHC molecules. Exchange factors include, e.g., dipeptides such as GL, GF, GR, etc. Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces can be used to rapidly prepare antigen-presenting surfaces comprising one or more peptide antigens of interest by contacting the proto-antigen-presenting surface with one or more peptide antigens so as to displace the exchange factor. As such, the disclosure facilitates rapid evaluation of the immunogenicity of peptide antigens for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Metabolic engineering has developed microbial cell factories as sustainable alternatives to chemical synthesis from petroleum feedstocks or harvesting of animals and plants, but current methods can be a costly and labor-intensive commitment. Methods are described herein for microfluidic methods of screening thousands of variant cells in order to reduce time and uncertainty to provide improved strains.

Abstract: Reagents for stabilizing the nucleic acids of a biological cell, compositions, kits and methods of use thereof are described. The stabilization reagents may prepare the nucleic acids within the biological cell for storage and preserve the representative population of the nucleic acids for later isolation and analysis.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antibody therapeutic is provided comprising: (a) providing a dissociated cell sample from at least one solid tumor sample obtained from a patient; (b) loading the dissociated cell sample into a microfluidic device having a flow region and at least one isolation region fluidically connected to the flow region; (c) moving at least one B cell from the dissociated cell sample into at least one isolation region in the microfluidic device, thereby obtaining at least one isolated B cell; and (d) using the microfluidic device to identify at least one B cell that produces antibodies capable of binding to cancer cells. The cancer cells can be the patient's own cancer cells. Also provided are methods of treating patients, methods of labeling or detecting cancer, engineered T or NK cells comprising antibodies or fragments thereof, and engineered antibody constructs.