Abstract: Provided is a multi-well-based cell culture test device having an array structure of a plurality of aligned well units. Each of the well units includes a first sub-well adapted to accommodate a first fluid, a second sub-well adapted to accommodate a second fluid, and a barrier located between the first sub-well and the second sub-well to partition the first sub-well and the second sub-well. The first sub-well has a recess in the depth direction with respect to its bottom to accommodate a solid thin film formed by solidifying the first fluid. The barrier has such a height that the first fluid does not overflow into the second sub-well when the first fluid is loaded into the first sub-well to fill the recess.

Abstract: Provided are a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test, based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and an automated cell image analysis system therefor. The antimicrobial susceptibility test is rapidly performed based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and this makes it possible to obtain highly reliable test results faster by six to seven times than the standard method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Abstract: A microfluidic multi-well-based cell culture testing device is provided. The multi-well-based cell culture testing device has an array structure of a plurality of aligned microfluidic well units. Each of the microfluidic well units comprises an inlet through which a first fluid enters, an accommodation compartment adapted to accommodate a second fluid therein, a microfluidic channel through which the first fluid flows, and an air outlet adapted to facilitate the entering of the first fluid.

Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: Provided are encoded polymeric microparticles and a multiplexed bioassay using the encoded polymeric microparticles. Each of the encoded polymeric microparticles includes an encoded polymeric microparticle core and a silica shell surrounding the microparticle core. Further provided is a method for producing encoded polymeric microparticles. The method includes: mixing a photocurable material with a linker having a functional group polymerizable with the photocurable material and an alkoxysilyl group; applying patterned energy to cure the mixture, followed by encoding to obtain encoded polymeric microparticle cores; and treating the encoded polymeric microparticle cores with a silica precursor to form a silica shell on each encoded polymeric microparticle core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bioactivity testing structure for single cell tracking using a gelling agent and a bioactivity testing system including the testing structure. The present invention also relates to bioactivity testing, drug susceptibility testing, antibiotic screening, and diagnostic methods using the testing structure. The bioactivity testing structure of the present invention enables very rapid and simple drug susceptibility testing of bacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug screening, and bacterial diagnosis. Particularly, the use of the testing structure enables DST and diagnosis of bacteria only by pretreatment without the need to concentrate human sputum samples irrespective of inoculum effect, ensuring rapid, accurate, and simple testing compared to conventional tuberculosis diagnosis or DST systems. In addition, the testing structure of the present invention simultaneously enables the diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microcapsule encoded depending on the kind of a target substance included therein. The encoded microcapsule has a hydrophilic liquid core including the target substance and a hydrophobic shell surrounding the liquid core. The encoded microcapsule includes graphical codes introduced on the surface of the shell.

Abstract: Provided is a method for capture and release of microorganisms using microstructures. The method includes providing microstructures coated with a protein for attachment/detachment of microorganisms, mixing the microstructures with a solution containing substances assisting in attachment of microorganisms in a solution containing microorganisms to prepare a mixed solution, stirring the mixed solution to attach the microorganisms to the microstructures, separating the microorganism-attached microstructures from the mixed solution; and exposing the microstructures to an environment where the substances assisting in attachment of the microorganisms are present at a low concentration to detach the microorganisms from the microstructures.

Abstract: Provided are a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test, based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and an automated cell image analysis system therefor. The antimicrobial susceptibility test is rapidly performed based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and this makes it possible to obtain highly reliable test results faster by six to seven times than the standard method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: Provided is a method of magnetically controlling a magnetic structure, the method including: providing a solution containing magnetic structures, each including a magnetic axis in which magnetic nanoparticles are arranged; and controlling movements of the magnetic structures by applying an external magnetic field to the solution.

Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: Provided is an assay method using an encoded particle-based platform. In the assay method, first, a plurality of encoded particles having codes distinguishable from one another according to kinds of included target materials are prepared. The plurality of encoded particles are provided onto a plate including a plurality of wells by pipetting, and disposed in the plurality of wells by a self-assembly method. An analyte is provided into the plurality of wells. The codes of the plurality of encoded particles disposed in the plurality of wells are decoded. The target materials of the plurality of encoded particles are released to cause a reaction between the target materials and the analyte.