Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing samples. In a method, a reaction card is provided that has a channel network, a valve, and a micropump, all disposed within the card. The reaction card also has a collection well disposed on a surface of the card and a tubular member extending out from the card. A reaction vessel is provided and affixed to the reaction card such that the tubular member is inserted into the reaction vessel. Amplification reaction reagents and a sample are delivered into the reaction vessel, and an amplification reaction is initiated within the reaction vessel, resulting in an amplification product being disposed within the reaction vessel. The valve is opened to atmosphere, and the first micropump is activated to pump an aliquot of reaction product from the reaction vessel into the tubular member, through the channel network, and into the collection well.

Abstract: The invention provides fluidic devices having incorporated electrodes. One device comprises a card and a caddy. The card includes a channel disposed within the card, first and second vias in fluid communication with the channel through an upper surface of the card, and first and second electrodes disposed on the upper surface of the card. The first via and first electrode are positioned adjacent to a first end of the channel, and the second via and second electrode are positioned adjacent to a second end of the channel. The caddy comprises first and second reservoirs. The caddy is attached to the card such that the first reservoir is positioned over the first via and a portion of the first electrode, and the second reservoir is positioned over the second via and a portion of the second electrode. A portion of each of the electrodes is accessible for dry electrical contact.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent multiple series of measurements for multiple samples can be displayed on a display device of a computer system as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. The bands may be aligned using a marker included in each sample.

Abstract: An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for performing pulsed field mobility shift assays in microfluidic devices. In particular, the methods of the invention utilize differences between electrophoretic mobilities (e.g., as between reactants and products, especially in non-fluorogenic reactions) in order to separate the species and thus analyze the reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a device, system, and method for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. The device includes first and second pinching channels, a separation channel extending between the first and second pinching channels, a collection leg that includes a collection well between first and second ends of the collection leg, and a waste leg, all of which are in fluid communication with a switching region. In the method, a sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the device and one or more of the separated components are isolated in the collection well. The separated components are constrained and elongated in the switching region by first and second buffer streams.

Abstract: Systems for differentiating the lengths of nucleic acids of interest in a sample are provided. The system includes a microfluidic device, a detector, and a software system. The microfluidic device includes an amplification microchannel or microchamber containing a reaction mixture under conditions that provide one or more amplicons of the nucleic acid of interest. The detector is integral with or proximal to the microfluidic device and is configured to detect the amplicons as one or more signals from a homogenous mixture. The software system interprets one or more coincidentally detected signals to indicate lengths of one or more individual nucleic acid molecules of interest, thereby differentiating the lengths of the nucleic acids of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a device, system, and method for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. The device includes first and second pinching channels, a separation channel extending between the first and second pinching channels, a collection leg that includes a collection well between first and second ends of the collection leg, and a waste leg, all of which are in fluid communication with a switching region. In the method, a sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the device and one or more of the separated components are isolated in the collection well. The separated components are constrained and elongated in the switching region by first and second buffer streams.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent a series of measurements for multiple samples detected at a single point along the length of a channel as they move through the channel past that point can be displayed on a display device of a computer system as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. The bands may be aligned using a marker included in each sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of controlling environmental conditions within a fluidic system, where such environmental conditions can affect the operation of the system in its desired function, and fluidic channels, devices, and systems that are used in practicing these methods. Such methods are generally directed to environmental control fluids, the movement of such fluids through these systems, and the interaction of these fluids with other components of the system, e.g., other fluids or solid components of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for performing pulsed field mobility shift assays in microfluidic devices. In particular the devices and methods of the invention utilize differences between electrophoretic mobilities (e.g., as between reactants and products, especially in non-fluorogenic reactions) in order to separate the species and thus analyze the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for controlling/manipulating materials flowing in a fluidic device. In particular, the methods of the invention create and utilize differences between dispersion rates and/or average velocity of materials in order to manipulate the materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a device, system, and method for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. The device includes first and second pinching channels, a separation channel extending between the first and second pinching channels, a collection leg that includes a collection well, and a waste leg, all of which are in fluid communication with a switching region. In the method, a sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the device. and one or more of the separated components are isolated in the collection well. The separated components are constrained and elongated in the switching region by first and second buffer streams.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of performing a sizing analysis. In the methods, a sizing ladder used in performing the sizing analysis is corrected. In one method, the sizing ladder is corrected for batch-to-batch variations in a sieving gel. In another method, the sizing ladder is corrected for a sample concentration that is different from the archival sizing ladder concentration. Methods are also provided in which the sizing ladder is corrected using a standard marker in a sample and/or using a real-time standard sizing ladder. The methods may be used individually or in combination.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. A device includes a separation channel having a sample loading well. A low-conductivity buffer is disposed in the loading well, the buffer having a conductivity <0.2 mS/cm. In a method, a buffer is loaded into a loading well in fluid communication with a separation channel of a device. A sample material having a conductivity higher than that of the buffer is then loaded into the loading well such that the sample material is disposed beneath the buffer, the buffer disposed over and covering the sample material. The sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the separation channel, and a separated component is collected from a collection well disposed in a collection leg of the device.

Abstract: An imaging subject handling system includes multiple portable imaging subject cartridges that optionally compress and anesthetize living imaging subjects therein during imaging, multiple receiving bases installed within separate imaging systems that interface with the cartridges, and multiple gas delivery systems that deliver an anesthetic gas flow to an installed cartridge. The cartridges include a gas delivery interface that accepts the anesthetic gas flow and provides it to the imaging subject, and one or more walls, a bottom and a top defining a closed interior that retains the anesthetic gas therewithin while the cartridge is in transport between separate imaging systems. The walls, bottom and/or top can be optically transparent and radiolucent to facilitate imaging. The cartridge can include a locking mechanism, a nose cone for the imaging subject, and co-registration features located on outside surfaces to facilitate the merging of images within software from multiple separate imaging systems.

Abstract: A microfluidic device with a filter includes a substrate; a flowpath including a well formed in the substrate in fluid communication with a channel formed in the substrate; and a filter disposed across the flowpath and associated with the channel.

Abstract: A method of modifying the concentration of reactants and carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which first and second reactants are delivered into a reaction channel combined, the second reactant different from the first reactant and capable of reacting with the first reactant. The first reactant is subjected to a stacking process, thereby producing a first stacked reactant. The second reactant is subjected to the stacking process, thereby producing a second stacked reactant. The first stacked reactant is exposed to the second stacked reactant so that the first stacked reactant and the second stacked reactant undergo a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which a first reactant at a first concentration is delivered into a reaction channel; within the reaction channel the concentration of the first reactant is changed from the first concentration to a second concentration; and while at the second concentration the first reactant is exposed to a second reactant.