Abstract: A cap for dispensing lytic agents into a sample well of a fluidic cartridge includes a deformable wall defining a chamber. A lower sleeve situated beneath the deformable wall defines a recess that is open to the chamber. A frangible membrane affixed to an end of the lower sleeve encloses the recess and the chamber. Lytic agents comprising non-magnetic beads and a magnetic element are contained within the chamber and the recess. A method for lysing cells contained in a sample includes providing sample to the sample well, inserting the cap into the well, applying a force to the deformable wall so the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the well, and subjecting the sample and the lytic agents to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the sample.

Abstract: A fluid sample is dispensed into a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge, the sample chamber containing non-magnetic beads, a magnetic element, and an internal control reagent contained within an internal control pellet including an internal control for validating an assay result and/or to validate the effectiveness of a cell lysis procedure. The magnetic element is exposed to a magnetic field, thereby causing movement of the magnetic element, which causes movement of the non-magnetic beads. Movement of the non-magnetic beads causes cells contained within the fluid sample to lyse and release nucleic acids. The internal control reagent dissolves in the presence of the fluid sample or movement of the non-magnetic beads disintegrates the internal control pellet, thereby releasing the internal control into the fluid sample. Movement of the magnetic element and the non-magnetic beads causes the internal control to be distributed within the fluid sample.

Abstract: A lysis vessel for performing cell lysis includes a laterally extending member and a sleeve having a bottom end defining an open bottom end of the vessel. A first porous membrane is affixed to a top or bottom surface of the laterally extending member and covers a vent in the member. A second porous membrane is affixed to the bottom end of the sleeve and covers the open bottom end. The bottom surface of the laterally extending member, an inner surface of the sleeve, and the first and second porous membranes define a lysis chamber. A plurality of non-magnetic beads are contained within the lysis chamber, and at least one magnetic element is contained within the lysis chamber. The first and the second porous membranes are sized to retain the plurality of non-magnetic beads and the at least one magnetic element within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: A lysis capsule for performing a cell lysis procedure includes a hollow body having an open first end and an open second end, a first porous membrane covering the open first end, and a second porous membrane covering the open second end, and the hollow body defines a lysis chamber between the first and second porous membranes. A plurality of non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element are disposed within the lysis chamber, and the pores of the first and second porous membranes are sized to retain the non-magnetic beads and the magnetic element within the lysis chamber. An internal control may be contained within the lysis chamber to validate an assay result and/or to validate the effectiveness of the cell lysis procedure. The lysis capsule may be disposed within a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microfluidic device comprising a chip; a flow channel being disposed in the chip; the flow channel being in communication with an entry port and an exit port; the flow channel being operative to permit the flow of a library from the entry port to the exit port; a substrate; the substrate being disposed upon the chip; the substrate being operative to act as an upper wall for the flow channels; and a plurality of receptors; the plurality of receptors being disposed on the substrate; the plurality of receptors being operative to interact with an element from the library.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing magnetic nanocrystals by using a biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to a magnetic material.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an inorganic nanowire, comprising: providing an elongated organic scaffold; providing a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold along a length of the organic scaffold; and fusing the nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold to form an inorganic nanowire.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an inorganic nanowire, comprising: providing an elongated organic scaffold; providing a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold along a length of the organic scaffold; and fusing the nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold to form an inorganic nanowire.

Abstract: Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.