Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for dispensing and printing cells and particles. The system includes: (a) a flow confinement device; (b) a controller configured to generate a confined liquid volume outside the flow confinement device, wherein the confined liquid volume or materials contained in the confined liquid volume can be released to the environment by confined, modulated, and non-confined flow modes in arbitrary sequence and for arbitrary periods of time by said controller; (c) one or more liquids containing cells or cell constituents supplied into the confined liquid volume through the flow confinement device; (d) a substrate; and (e) a system configured to position the flow confinement device in 3D space and, therefore, the confined liquid volume to be positioned relative to the substrate, such that the confined liquid volume and contents, can interact with the substrate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of generating three-dimensional biological structures. The method includes: (a) depositing a first layer of a suspension over a substrate, the suspension including a liquid and a plurality of cells; (b) allowing the plurality of cells to attach to the substrate and form a first layer of attached cells; (c) depositing a cell-attachment agent over the first layer of attached cells; and (d) depositing a second layer of the suspension over the cell-attachment agent.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for fabrication of a membrane on a surface. The method includes: providing a surface interfacing two environments, wherein one of the environments is a liquid; providing a flow-recirculating fluidic device having channel exits in the liquid environment in proximity of the surface; and delivering locally one or more processing solutions. The one or more processing sources including one or more membrane sources adapted and configured to form a membrane on the surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a system adapted and configured to generate a localized flow circulation zone. The system includes: a free-standing microfluidic pipette comprising three or more channels with exits separated from each other by an outer surface of the pipette; and a controller programmed to control fluid flows through each of the three or more channels to generate a localized recirculating fluid flow path outside the pipette. Liquid leaving the microfluidic pipette through at least one outlet channel exit is withdrawn through at least two inlet channel exits.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a freestanding microfluidic pipette with integrated wells for solution storage. Further aspects of the invention provide a holding interface to provide connectivity with external control components. One aspect of the invention provides a system for applying a microfluidic device in microscopy. The system includes: a microfluidic device having an elongated shape and defining one or more wells for solution storage and processing; and an interface adapted and configured to hold the microfluidic device in a freestanding manner and facilitate simultaneous connection of the one or more wells with a flow controller. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for utilizing a microfluidic device. The method includes: providing a device as described herein; positioning the device adjacent to a microscope; and actuating the interface to operate the microfluidic device.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for fabrication of a membrane on a surface. The method includes: providing a surface interfacing two environments, wherein one of the environments is a liquid; providing a flow-recirculating fluidic device having channel exits in the liquid environment in proximity of the surface; and delivering locally one or more processing solutions. The one or more processing sources including one or more membrane sources adapted and configured to form a membrane on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a freestanding microfluidic pipette with both solution exchange capability and fluid re-circulation, enabling highly localized and contamination- free fluid delivery within a confined volume in the vicinity of the pipette exit. Preferably, the device features direct positioning, so the pipette can be directed at a point or object of interest, such as a biological or artificial cell, a defined surface area or a sensor element within an open volume, using micro- or nanopositioning techniques. One aspect of the invention provides a free-standing pipette. The free-standing pipette includes a microfluidic device comprising one or more channels with exits leading into an open-volume and a positioning device programmed to hold the microfluidic device at an angle from a horizontal axis.