Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating and identifying cells by recording and interpreting a time-dependent signal produced by unique cell respiration and permeability attributes of isolated viable cells. Some methods comprise dividing the sample into two or more sub-samples or sample portions, mixing each sub-sample or sample portion with one or more reagents and/or one or more reactants forming distinct sub-sample or sample portion mixtures, compartmentalizing each of the sub-sample or sample portion mixtures into a plurality of small volume compartments, monitoring characteristics of the small volume compartments over time and collecting compartment data, and transmitting the collected data to at least one neural network.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip can comprise a body and a microfluidic network defined by the body. The network can include one or more inlet ports, a test volume, and one or more flow paths extending between the inlet port(s) and the test volume. Along each of the flow path(s), fluid is permitted to flow from one of the inlet port(s), through at least one droplet-generating region in which a minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path increases along the flow path, and to the test volume. The network can include a gutter disposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the test volume such that fluid from the flow path(s) is not permitted to flow into the gutter without flowing through the test volume, wherein, along the gutter, a depth of the gutter is at least 10% larger than the depth of the test volume at the periphery.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating and identifying cells by recording and interpreting a time-dependent signal produced by unique cell respiration and permeability attributes of isolated viable cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip can comprise a body defining a microfluidic network having one or more inlet ports, a test volume, and one or more flow paths extending between the inlet port(s) and the test volume. Along each of the flow path(s), fluid can flow from one of the inlet port(s), through at least one droplet-generating region in which a minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path increases along the flow path, and to the test volume. The network can include a gutter disposed along at least a portion of the test volume's periphery. The gutter can have a depth along a trough that is at least 10% larger than the depth of the test volume at the periphery and a depth along a ridge disposed between the trough and the test volume that is less than the depth of the test volume at the periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and imaging a microfluidic chip can comprise a housing having walls that define a vacuum chamber and a first receptacle disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first receptacle defining a space for receiving one or more microfluidic chips. The apparatus can also include a negative pressure source, a light source, and an optical sensor coupled to the housing. The negative pressure source can be configured to reduce pressure within the vacuum chamber, the light source can be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s), and the optical sensor can be positioned to capture an image of at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and imaging a microfluidic chip can comprise a housing having walls that define a vacuum chamber and a first receptacle disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first receptacle defining a space for receiving one or more microfluidic chips. The apparatus can also include a negative pressure source, a light source, and an optical sensor coupled to the housing. The negative pressure source can be configured to reduce pressure within the vacuum chamber, the light source can be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s), and the optical sensor can be positioned to capture an image of at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s).

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating and identifying cells by recording and interpreting a time-dependent signal produced by unique cell respiration and permeability attributes of isolated viable cells.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip can include a microfluidic network that comprises a port, one or more test volumes, and one or more channels through which fluid must flow from the port to the test volume(s). A crosslinkable material can also be disposed within the microfluidic network such that the crosslinkable material is flowable through the channel(s). The crosslinkable material of the microfluidic chip may be exposed to light and/or heat to crosslink the material within and thereby occlude the channel(s).

Abstract: A microfluidic device can include a microfluidic circuit that comprises an inlet port, a reagent-containing chamber configured to receive fluid from the inlet port, a non-aqueous-liquid-containing reservoir configured to receive liquid from the chamber, and a droplet-generating region configured to receive and produce droplets of liquid from the reservoir. The circuit can also include first and second valves or frangible members. The first valve or frangible member can have closed position in which fluid is prevented from entering or exiting the chamber therethrough and an open position in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the chamber therethrough. The second valve or frangible member can have a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing between the chamber and the reservoir therethrough and an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow between the chamber and the reservoir therethrough.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention are directed towards the sensitive, fast, and accurate identification and/or characterization of a single cell or bacterium, particularly phenotypic characterization. Certain aspects of the invention include assays that include functional nucleic acid probes (FNAPs). FNAPs can be used to generate deoxyribozyme cleavage cascades (DRCC) initiated by activation of a FNAP resulting in a detectable signal from a single cell.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating and identifying cells by recording and interpreting a time-dependent signal produced by unique cell respiration and permeability attributes of isolated viable cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and imaging a microfluidic chip can comprise a housing having walls that define a vacuum chamber and a first receptacle disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first receptacle defining a space for receiving one or more microfluidic chips. The apparatus can also include a negative pressure source, a light source, and an optical sensor coupled to the housing. The negative pressure source can be configured to reduce pressure within the vacuum chamber, the light source can be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s), and the optical sensor can be positioned to capture an image of at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s).

Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.