Abstract: Methods and apparatus for discriminating matter in a chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port utilizing dielectrophoresis and field flow fractionation. A carrier medium is introduced into the inlet port and is directed from the inlet port to the outlet port according to a velocity profile. A programmed voltage signal is applied to an electrode element coupled to the chamber to form a dielectrophoretic force on the matter. The dielectrophoretic force is balanced with a gravitational force to displace the matter to positions within said velocity profile in the carrier medium to discriminate the matter. A chamber having a top and bottom outlet port may be utilized to withdraw a first portion of a carrier medium from the top outlet port at a first, controllable fluid flow rate and to withdraw a second portion of the carrier medium from the bottom outlet port at a second, controllable fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing wall-less virtual channels. The wall-less channels may be regions such as stripes or other patterns that are defined by polar surface coatings. These wall-less channel may be used with polar solvents and defined by polar surface patterning of narrowly separated top and bottom walls of a chamber filled elsewhere by a non-polar partitioning medium. This provides a simple and easy-to-fabricate interface between the micro and macro worlds in which microfluidic processes are separated from the macro world fluid flow by a narrow veil of immiscible fluid across which an exchange of droplets can be controlled electrically.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for an oligonucleotide synthesis engine. In on embodiment, the invention involves a microfluidic device including: an oligonucleotide synthesis subunit including a reaction surface and means for generating a manipulation force and routing for packet delivery; an analysis or diagnostic subunit; and a control subunit including a program to direct oligonucleotide synthesis. In another embodiment, the invention involves a method for analyzing a sample. An oligonucleotide is synthesized in a solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis subunit, wherein the subunit includes a reaction surface and means for generating a manipulation force and routing for packet delivery. The synthesis is controlled with a control subunit, wherein the control subunit is programmed for the automatic synthesis of oligonucleotides. The sample is analyzed in an analysis or diagnostic subunit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis and forming long polynucleotides. One exemplary method includes synthesizing a sense oligonucleotide; synthesizing an antisense oligonucleotide; annealing the sense and antisense oligonucleotides to form double stranded DNA (dsDNA); capping the ends of the dsDNA; cleaving the dsDNA wherein cleavage occurs at or near a Watson-Crick base pair mismatch; and digesting uncapped dsDNA. Another exemplary method includes synthesizing a first proofread double stranded DNA (dsDNA); synthesizing a second proofread dsDNA; and ligating the first proofread DNA with the second proofread DNA to form a long polynucleotide.

Abstract: A dielectric gate and related systems and methods for controlling fluid flow. A dielectric gate includes one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway. The electrodes are configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway in a precise manner by using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: Engineered microparticles, libraries of microparticles, and methods relating thereto. The microparticles are distinguishable based on differences in dielectric response to an applied electric field. In different embodiments, the dielectric differences may be engineered through, but not limited to, dielectrically dispersive materials, surface charge, and/or fluorescence. Gangliosides may be incorporated with the microparticles to control aggregation. Vesicles including erythrocyte ghosts may be used as a basis for microparticles. The microparticles may utilize a biotin streptavidin system for surface functionalization.

Abstract: An engineered microparticle and methods and systems relating thereto. The microparticle includes a conductive core and an insulating layer surrounding the conductive core and having a thickness sufficient to render the microparticle responsive to a dielectrophoretic force.

Abstract: Dibenzofluorene derivatives having a formula selected from the group consisting of and salts thereof have antitumor activity. At least one of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) is —R14Z. R14 is a substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido group having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having from 1-12 carbon atoms. The remainder of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido groups having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and alkyl groups having 1-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Dibenzofluorene derivatives having a formula selected from the group consisting of 1

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for metered injection of a fluid packet. A vessel containing the packet is pressurized to a pressure less than or equal to a hold-off pressure. The packet is subjected to an extraction force to extract the packet from the vessel onto a surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for cell isolation and analysis. Cells are introduced into a dielectrophoretic prefilter including one or more trapping electrodes configured to trap at least a portion of the cells with a dielectrophoretic force. The cells trapped from the prefilter are directed into a dielectrophoretic field-flow fractionation separator coupled to the prefilter. The cells are discriminated by balancing a dielectrophoretic force (and optionally a magnetophoretic force) with a gravitational force to displace the cells to positions within a velocity profile in the separator. At least a portion of the cells are trapped as a function of the cells' time of emergence from the separator with two or more spiral electrode segments coupled to the separator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discriminating matter utilizing dielectrophoresis combined with magnetophoresis. A sample having one or more constituents is injected into an inlet port of a chamber. A carrier medium flow is initiated at the inlet port to establish a flow within the chamber. A dielectrophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. A magnetophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. The dielectrophoretic force and magnetophoretic forces are balanced to position the constituents within the chamber. The constituents are then collected at one or more outlet ports of the chamber according to the dielectric and magnetic characteristics of the constituents. The constituents may be collected as a function of time-of-exit from the chamber and/or position within the chamber.

Abstract: Dibenzofluorene derivatives having a formula selected from the group consisting of and salts thereof have antitumor activity. At least one of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) is —R14Z. R14 is a substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido group having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having from 1-12 carbon atoms. The remainder of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido groups having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and alkyl groups having 1-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel apparatus and novel methods for the separation, characterization, and manipulation of matter. In particular, the invention combines the use of frequency-dependent dielectric and conductive properties of particulate matter and solubilized matter with the properties of the suspending and transporting medium to discriminate and separate such matter. The apparatus includes a chamber having at least one electrode element and at least one inlet and one output port into which cells are introduced and removed from the chamber. Matter carried through the chamber in a fluid stream is then displaced within the fluid by a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force caused by the energized electrode. Following displacement within the fluid, matter travels through the chamber at velocities according to the velocity profile of the chamber. After the matter has transmitted through the chamber, it exits at the opposite end of the chamber at a characteristic position.

Abstract: Dibenzofluorene derivatives having a formula selected from the group consisting of and salts thereof have antitumor activity. At least one of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) is —R14Z. R14 is a substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido group having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having from 1-12 carbon atoms. The remainder of R1-R13 in formula (I) or R1-R12 in formula (II) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido groups having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and alkyl groups having 1-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Chrysene derivatives having the formula ##STR1## have been found to have antitumor activity. In the above formula, at least one of R.sub.1 -R.sub.12 is --R.sub.13 Z, where R.sub.13 is a substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido group having from 1-12 carbon atoms, and Z is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having from 1-12 carbon atoms; and the remainder of R.sub.1 -R.sub.12 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted amino or amido groups having 1-12 carbon atoms, nitro, and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups having from 1-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel apparatus and novel methods for the separtion, characterization, and manipulation of matter. In particular, the invention combines the use of frequency-dependent dielectric and conductive properties of particulate matter and solubilized matter with the properties of the suspending and transporting medium to discriminate and separate such matter. The apparatus includes a chamber having at least one electrode element and at least one inlet and one output port into which cells are introduced and removed from the chamber. Matter carried through the chamber in a fluid stream is then displaced within the fluid by a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force caused by the energized electrode. Following displacement within the fluid, matter travels through the chamber at velocities according to the velocity profile of the chamber. After the matter has transitted through the chamber, it exits at the opposite end of the chamber at a characteristic position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel apparatus and novel methods for the separation, characterization, and manipulation of matter. In particular, the invention combines the use of frequency-dependent dielectric and conductive properties of particulate matter and solubilized matter with the properties of the suspending and transporting medium to discriminate and separate such matter. The apparatus includes a chamber having at least one electrode element and at least one inlet and one output port into which cells are introduced and removed from the chamber. Matter carried through the chamber in a fluid stream is then displaced within the fluid by a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force caused by the energized electrode. Following displacement within the fluid, matter travels through the chamber at velocities according to the velocity profile of the chamber. After the matter has transitted through the chamber, it exists at the opposite end of the chamber at a characteristic position.