Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing comprising: a support member and a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to received a test agent therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second well region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods that immobilize one or more cells associated with magnetic material on a substrate on which are located one or more magnetic receptacle(s). Alternatively, in another aspect the present invention, the device arrays cells associated with magnetic material on a substrate having a pattern of magnetic receptacles disposed thereon. The size of the magnetic receptacle(s) determines the number of target cells that it is capable of immobilizing. The size of the magnetic receptacle is defined by the strength of a localized magnetic field gradient. The localized magnetic field gradient maybe derived from 1) permanent magnets embedded in the substrate or alternatively, the localized magnetic field gradient may be derived from an 2) external magnet whose strength is focused by objects of highly-permeable-magnetic material which create localized magnetic field gradients.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising: providing a device for monitoring chemotaxis. The device includes a support member; a top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete assay chamber. The discrete assay chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well being configured to receive a soluble test substance therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well being configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region. Preferably, at least one second well is horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of monitoring haptotaxis comprising: providing a device for monitoring haptotaxis having a housing defining a chamber. The chamber includes: a first well region including at least one first well, the first well region configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device; and a channel region with biomolecules immobilized therein and including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

Abstract: An image processing method for use in analyzing image data of a cellular migration assay. The method includes defining a major axis within the image data that is perpendicular to an orientation of channels in the image data, determining an aggregate light intensity within the image data along the major axis, and identifying locations of channels within the image data from the projection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing comprising: a support member and a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to received a test agent therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second well region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a test device including a support member; a top member mounted to the support member, wherein in the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well; a second well region including at least one second well; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a work station for conducting assays which comprises filtering assembly, a slide reading assembly, and a slide with a porous filter membrane wherein the slide has a means for aligning the slide within the filter assembly to filter reagents on predetermined portions of the porous filter membrane and also to position the slide in the slide reading assembly so that detection will occur in those same predetermined locations.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a slide reading assembly, and a slide with a porous filter membrane wherein the slide has a means for aligning the slide within a filter assembly to filter reagents on predetermined portions of the porous filter membrane and also to position the slide in a slide reading assembly so that detection will occur in those same predetermined locations.

Abstract: Microencapsulation of solid phase scintillators in gels selectively permeable to diffusible radioactive label. These encapsulated scintillators are used to monitor the concentration of radioactive-tagged subtances in fluid systems.