Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the sensor-based examination of biological cells, comprising at least one well, wherein the at least one well has (a) an opening; (b) a planar base; (c) at least one sensor for the examination of biological cells, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged on the base of the at least one well; and (d) a medium for cryopreservation, with the medium for cryopreservation comprising biological cells and contacting a surface of the at least one sensor, wherein the medium for cryopreservation, which comprises the biological cells, is present in a frozen state.

Abstract: A sample holder includes a first member featuring a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate that includes a sample, a second member featuring a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate that includes a reagent medium, and an alignment mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second members, and configured to align the first and second members such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices and methods for conduction assays for combinatorial libraries. The devices comprise a multiplicity of wells and a removable cap.

Abstract: A microfluidic device with at least one integrated valve is provided for managing fluid flow in disposable assay devices, which provides constant flow even at very low flow rates. Pumps utilizing the microfluidic device, as well as methods for manufacture and performing a microfluidic process are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation are described. The apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits may be employed in conducting automated analysis in a multi-well plate assay format.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fluidic devices that in some embodiments have passive air control valves and in some instances, high resistance air valve constriction channels, or channel dimensions and compositions that provide effective capillary pressure ratios, that can be used to fill reaction wells and/or manipulate fluids in reaction wells. Also provided are fluidic systems containing fluidic devices adjoined to one another, methods for operating the fluidic devices, and methods for manipulating fluids using the fluidic devices. Methods for use of the fluidic devices in performing immunoassays, nucleic acid detection, other assay systems, including but not limited to point of care applications are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow device. The device includes an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween, at least one source fluid inflow port, at least one waste fluid outflow port, at least one well inlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one well outlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one conduit connecting the at least one source fluid inflow port to the at least one well inlet port, and at least one conduit connecting the at least one waste fluid outflow port to the at least one well outlet port.

Abstract: Methods for the automated template-free synthesis of user-defined sequence controlled biopolymers using microfluidic devices are described. The methods facilitate simultaneous synthesis of up to thousands of uniquely addressed biopolymers from the controlled movement and combination of regents as fluid droplets using microfluidic and EWOD-based systems. In some forms, biopolymers including nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids are synthesized from step-wise assembly of building blocks based on a user-defined sequence of droplet movements. In some forms, the methods synthesize uniquely addressed nucleic acids of up to 1,000 nucleotides in length. Methods for adding, removing and changing barcodes on biopolymers are also provided. Biopolymers synthesized according to the methods, and libraries and databases thereof are also described. Modified biopolymers, including chemically modified nucleotides and biopolymers conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: A method of determining a radioactivity characteristic of a radioactive sample comprises positioning the radioactive sample on a plate, positioning the plate containing the radioactive sample in an optical plate reader, obtaining luminescence data via the optical plate reader based on light emitted from the plate containing the radioactive sample, and determining a radioactivity characteristic of the radioactive sample based on the luminescence data.

Abstract: A method for sex sorting of mosquitoes generally comprises the steps of: providing a plate that includes multiple wells, with each of the multiple wells configured to receive a mosquito; filling each of the multiple wells with a predetermined volume of water; placing a mosquito in each of the multiple wells; capturing an image of each mosquito in each of the multiple wells; and analyzing each image to determine if each mosquito is male or female. Mosquitoes have distinct anatomical areas for identification, which are captured in the images and are used to determine if a mosquito is male or female. Furthermore, in some implementations, there is an additional step of exterminating each mosquito that is determined to be female.

Abstract: A placement holder 1 for an analysis according to the present invention includes a frame portion 10 for placing an analysis plate, and a coupling portion 11; wherein the analysis plate includes, respectively at opposite ends in a longitudinal direction thereof, protrusions protruding in the longitudinal direction; the frame portion 10 includes a pair of wall portions that are opposed to each other, and a space surrounded by the frame portion 10 has an area 12 in which the analysis plate is to be placed; the pair of wall portions have a pair of cavities 13 into which the protrusions of the analysis plate are to be inserted, and at least one of the pair of cavities 13 is a through hole; the wall portion having the through hole has, on an inner surface thereof, an inclined surface 14 formed such that an interval between inner surfaces of the pair of wall portions gradually decreases from an upper end side toward the through hole of the wall portion; and the coupling portion 11 is disposed below the pair of cavit

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for detecting one nucleic acid of a sample, including a plurality of functional volumes split into functional areas and a fluidic network of microchannels. At least three functional areas are fluidly connected to a central distribution hub of fluids by one or more hub-connected microchannels, the central distribution hub being capable of pumping and injecting fluids from a first functional area to a second functional area by passing through the central distribution hub; and at least three valves of hub-connected microchannels are arranged so that the at least three valves are adapted to be actuated mechanically by a single external cam-driven actuator.

Abstract: A composition, including a substrate having a planar array of depressions each defined by concave walls and a moat disposed around each depression of said array of depressions.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for the automated synthesis of at least one chemical compound including: at least one cartridge including at least one first compartment for providing at least one first reagent for the chemical synthesis of the at least one compound; at least one second compartment for providing at least one second reagent for the chemical synthesis of the at least one compound, and at least one third compartment for purifying the at least one synthesized compound; at least one reaction container for providing the compounds to be fed into at least one of the compartments of the cartridge and/or collecting the reaction product from at least one of the compartments of the cartridge; at least one solvent container at least two flow path selecting valves and at least one pump.

Abstract: A method for filling an analytical device includes providing a plate having a detection space or spaces and ports communicating with the space(s), fitting, into one of the ports, an adapter having a reagent fixed on an inner wall of the adapter such that a first end of the adapter is fitted into the port, and delivering a sample solution into the detection space(s) through the adapter such that the sample solution and reagent fill the detection space(s). The plate includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a side wall such that the plate has the detection space(s) between the substrates and that the first substrate has the ports, the first and/or second substrates is formed of transparent material such that the detection space is observable from outside the plate, and the ports include a first port for delivering liquid-containing substance, and a second port for discharging the substance.

Abstract: A MEM-based device and method of fabrication, the device comprising a biochip substrate comprising one or more compliant materials, a plurality of mechanical and electrical micro-sensors configured in an array to simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical properties of a sample, wherein a first mechanical micro-sensor is formed as a patterned layer of at least one of the compliant materials, wherein the patterned layer is coupled to a first pillar comprising a dielectric material formed onto the compliant materials, the first pillar being coated with a metal film at a contact surface with the sample and along a side of the first pillar to act as a conductive probe for the first electrical micro-sensor, and wherein the first pillar is formed on the first mechanical micro-sensor to transfer a force to the first mechanical micro-sensor.

Abstract: A point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.

Abstract: A storage system having racks and an outer container that receives the racks, each rack receiving a plurality of sample boxes, each box having a wireless ID tag. In certain embodiments, the storage system has reader electronics external to and distinct from the racks and that directly read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack without relying on any reader electronics of any rack. In other embodiments, each rack has a set of rack reader electronics that read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack, and the storage system has at least one removable reader access device removably connectable to the set of rack reader electronics of a rack in order to transmit the ID number of the wireless ID tag of each box in the rack outside of the outer container.

Abstract: The cell transfer device includes a head group including a plurality of heads to which tips are attached and which move along a first direction; a head unit in which the head group is installed and which moves in a second direction and in a third direction; and a plurality of drive motors which are mounted on the head unit and which generate driving force to cause the head to move along the first direction. The plurality of drive motors are separately arranged on one side and the other side in the third direction with the head group provided therebetween. The head group includes a first head and a second head. The first head is driven by the drive motor arranged on the one side in the third direction, and the second head is driven by the drive motor arranged on the other side in the third direction.

Abstract: An example of a method includes providing a substrate with an exposed surface comprising a first chemical group, wherein the providing optionally comprises modifying the exposed surface of the substrate to incorporate the first chemical group; reacting the first chemical group with a first reactive group of a functionalized polymer molecule to form a functionalized polymer coating layer covalently bound to the exposed surface of the substrate; grafting a primer to the functionalized polymer coating layer by reacting the primer with a second reactive group of the functionalized polymer coating layer; and forming a water-soluble protective coating on the primer and the functionalized polymer coating layer. Examples of flow cells incorporating examples of the water-soluble protective coating are also disclosed herein.