Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods useful for the detection and analysis of various analytes. The analyte detection device of this invention has the general structure of a substrate and a plurality of pillars attached to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the presence and/or concentration of one or more analytes in a sample that comprises a fluid, the system comprising a solid substrate comprising a sample inlet or inlets and one or more analyte determination flow paths, each analyte determination flow path comprising a defined beginning and a defined terminus and comprising at least one capture zone containing a capture agent for an analyte, the capture agent or agents being immobilized along a portion of the flow path or paths, the flow path or paths being designed so that the one or more analytes are depleted from the sample and bound in a non-linear manner to the portion of the flow path or paths containing immobilized capture agent or agents, producing an analyte depletion end region for each analyte between the beginning and the terminus of the analyte determination flow path.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for ion detection in samples using a chip with elevated sample zones, also known as a “pillar chip.” Methods include analyzing such a sample by desorbing a sample from a chip, producing a described ion sample and detecting the same. The chip comprises a base having a surface and one or more structures protruding above the surface of the base. Each structure comprises a pillar and a sample zone, the latter containing a support material and the sample to be analyzed. Assemblies include a chip such as that described above and a conductive element that comprises an aperture of sufficient proportion to allow passage of a molecular ion and that is adapted to be at a different electrical potential than the base of the chip.

Abstract: A microdevice for supporting a flowing fluid is disclosed. In one embodiment, the microdevice includes a substrate and a pair of generally parallel, spaced wall members on the substrate. At least one of the wall members includes a pair of structures defining an opening.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the presence and/or concentration of one or more analytes in a sample that comprises a fluid, the system comprising a solid substrate comprising a sample inlet or inlets and one or more analyte determination flow paths, each analyte determination flow path comprising a defined beginning and a defined terminus and comprising at least one capture zone containing a capture agent for an analyte, the capture agent or agents being immobilized along a portion of the flow path or paths, the flow path or paths being designed so that the one or more analytes are depleted from the sample and bound in a non-linear manner to the portion of the flow path or paths containing immobilized capture agent or agents, producing an analyte depletion end region for each analyte between the beginning and the terminus of the analyte determination flow path.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the parallel, in vitro screening of biomolecular activity using miniaturized microfabricated devices are provided. The biomolecules that can be immobilized on the surface of the devices of the present invention include proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, phospholipids, and related unnatural polymers of biological relevance. These devices are useful in high-throughput drug screening and clinical diagnostics and are preferably used for the parallel screening of families of related proteins.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the parallel, in vitro screening of biomolecular activity using miniaturized microfabricated devices are provided. The biomolecules immobilized on the surface of the devices of the present invention include proteins, polypeptides, polynucleotides, polysaccharides, phospholipids, and related unnatural polymers of biological relevance. These devices are useful drug development, functional proteomics and clinical diagnostics and are preferably used for the parallel screening of families of related proteins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a microanalysis chip comprises a body having at least one transfer-separation channel with a channel bottom that has a bottom opening. The transfer-separation channel terminates in a discharge aperture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a microanalysis chip comprises a body having at least one transfer-separation channel with a channel bottom that has a bottom opening. The transfer-separation channel terminates in a discharge aperture.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for ion detection in samples using a chip with elevated sample zones, also known as a “pillar chip.” Methods include analyzing such a sample by desorbing a sample from a chip, producing a described ion sample and detecting the same. The chip comprises a base having a surface and one or more structures protruding above the surface of the base. Each structure comprises a pillar and a sample zone, the latter containing a support material and the sample to be analyzed. Assemblies include a chip such as that described above and a conductive element that comprises an aperture of sufficient proportion to allow passage of a molecular ion and that is adapted to be at a different electrical potential than the base of the chip.

Abstract: Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.

Abstract: Heterofunctional crosslinking groups are provided having the formula: wherein W is a covalent core component; L1, L2 and L3 are independently linking groups; X is a non-covalent or reversibly covalent protein tag binder; Y is a activatable covalent linking group; and Z is a protected or unprotected covalent crosslinking group.

Abstract: Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.

Abstract: Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.

Abstract: A highly time resolved impedance spectroscopy that enhances the measurement of the dynamics of non-stationary systems with enhanced time resolution. The highly time resolved impedance spectroscopy includes an optimized, frequency rich a.c., or transient, voltage signal is used as the perturbation signal, non-stationary time to frequency transformation algorithms are used when processing the measured time signals of the voltage and current to determine impedance spectra which are localized in time; and the system-characterizing quantities are determined from the impedance spectra using equivalent circuit fitting in a time-resolution-optimized form. Methods and apparatus for processing impedance spectra data are also provided.