Abstract: The present invention provides simple and inexpensive assays for the detection of virtually any analyte in any sample that is in liquid form or that can be solubilized. The assays utilize the fluid dynamics of drop evaporation whereby soluble materials, including analytes and particles binding thereto, are drawn to the center of the drop by Marangoni flow and ultimately form a concentrated residual spot. The presence or absence of certain reagents can then be detected through a number of different approaches.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and inexpensive assays for the detection of virtually any analyte in any sample that is in liquid form or that can be solubilized. The assays utilize the fluid dynamics of drop evaporation whereby soluble materials, including analytes and particles binding thereto, are drawn to the center of the drop by Marangoni flow and ultimately form a concentrated residual spot. The presence or absence of certain reagents can then be detected through a number of different approaches.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor with substance injection capability. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a chamber for receiving cells and a liquid medium. A port is formed in the second substrate between the bottom surface and the first surface of the second substrate. As formed, the port is in fluid communication with the chamber to allow a stream of substance to be introduced into the chamber. The stream of substance is controlled so as to provide a gradient, or a concentration gradient of the substance, to the chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A microarray contact printing is formed from at least one capillary tube. The tip has concentric reservoir and printing capillary tubes, with a first capillary tube (24) and a second capillary tube (22) having an inner bore (26) with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first capillar tube (24) so that the second capillary tube (22) partially overlaps a proximal end of the first capillary tube (24). The first capillary tube (24) has a contact surface (36) at a distal end. The inner bore of the first capillary tube (24) is adapted for drawing the printing solution retained in the second capillary tube (22) and depositing a drop of a solution on a printing substrate when the contact surface (36) is moved proximate the substrate.