Abstract: In a method of investigating cell deformations, a sample fluid including cells suspended in a suspending medium is provided. A flow of the sample fluid through a focusing microchannel is established. The suspending medium is a non-Newtonian fluid having viscoelastic properties such that cells that enter the focusing microchannel are focused towards a center of the focusing microchannel due to the viscoelastic properties of the suspending medium, causing the cells to exit the focusing microchannel in single file. Subsequently, the sample fluid that has exited the focusing microchannel is caused to flow through a deformation microchannel arranged downstream of the focusing microchannel to cause a deformation of cells that have exited the focusing microchannel and have entered the deformation microchannel, the deformation being caused by a flow pattern created by interaction of the fluid flow with the deformation microchannel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising a zone for receiving a sample, an excitation source and a detector, wherein a portion of the zone allows transmission of energy at a required wavelength range and prevents transmission of energy at all other wavelengths and uses of the device in disposable on-chip fluorescent detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production of nanoparticles using a continuous flow miniaturised reaction vessel. In particular, the invention provides a method for preparing nanoparticles by a direct one-stage process.

Abstract: A chemical processing system and method, the system comprising: a substrate chip including a reaction zone into which at least three different reagents are in use introduced; a reagent supply mechanism for supplying the at least three reagents to the reaction zone; and a detector for simultaneously detecting the reaction products.