Abstract: Provided are devices adapted to isolate, amplify, and detect nucleic acids that may be present in a biological sample. The devices can, in some embodiments, isolate, amplify, and detect nucleic acid in a single chamber. In other embodiments, the devices are adapted to isolate and amplify nucleic acids in a reaction chamber, after which the nucleic acids may be communicated to a pervious medium—such as a lateral flow strip—where the user may label and detect the nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided are probes featuring multiple electrodes, which probes have diameters in the nanometer range and may be inserted into cells or other subjects so as to monitor an electrical characteristic of the subject. The probes may also include a conductive coating on at least one probe element to improve the probes' performance. The probes may also be used to inject a fluid or other agent into the subject and simultaneously monitor changes in the subject's electrical characteristics in response to the injection. Related methods of fabricating and of using the inventive probes are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are analysis cassettes that include removable sealing layers and deformable connector layers that place various channels, chambers, and reservoirs on the cassettes into fluid communication with one another. The cassettes are suitable for use in self-contained, immunoassay devices that may be operated in an automated fashion. Also disclosed are methods for analyzing samples by use of the disclosed cassettes.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanically-actuated devices for transporting fluids within a microfluidic circuit and performing diagnostic operations on a sample. Also disclosed are related methods for performing sample analysis effected by the motion of an actuator proximate to a microfluidic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled, magnetohydrodynamically-driven, fluidic networks containing a plurality of individually controlled branches. The branches consist of conduits equipped with pairs of electrodes that are controlled by electrode controllers. In operation, the network is placed within a magnetic field and potentials or currents are applied across electrode pairs within the various branches of the network in specifically determined magnitudes and polarities for specifically determined time intervals in accordance with an activation sequence that may be determined by an algorithm. Placed within a temperature gradient, at least a part of the network can act as a thermal cycler for use in biological interactions that employ temperature variations.

Abstract: Provided are magnetohydrodynamic stirrers comprising a conduit or cavity having at least two electrodes disposed in such an orientation that, upon the application of a potential or current across the electrode pair within a magnetic field, secondary flows such as chaotic advection is generated.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for performing multi-point analysis on biological materials, such as cells. In one embodiment, the devices simultaneously collect information related to a characteristic of a cell membrane and a characteristic of the interior of the cell.

Abstract: Provided are disposable, moisture-activated, self-heating cartridges useful for, e.g., isothermal nucleic acid amplification, incubation, and thermal actuation, and visual fluorescent detection of the amplification products. These devices may be self-contained and do not require any special instruments to operate.

Abstract: Provided are flow cell devices—referred to as nanoaquariums—that are microfabricated devices featuring a sample chamber having a controllable height in the range of nanometers to micrometers. The cells are sealed so as to withstand the vacuum environment of an electron microscope without fluid loss. The cells allow for the concurrent flow of multiple sample streams and may be equipped with electrodes, heaters, and thermistors for measurement and other analysis devices.

Abstract: Provided are probes featuring multiple electrodes, which probes have diameters in the nanometer range and may be inserted into cells or other subjects so as to monitor an electrical characteristic of the subject. The probes may also include a conductive coating on at least one probe element to improve the probes' performance. The probes may also be used to inject a fluid or other agent into the subject and simultaneously monitor changes in the subject's electrical characteristics in response to the injection. Related methods of fabricating and of using the inventive probes are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are robust, passive, membrane-based debubblers that are readily incorporated into microfluidic devices for rapid degassing. Also provided are methods of degassing fluid disposed within fluidic systems.

Abstract: Described herein are novel devices for the study of transport characteristics of complex or simple fluids, interactions among molecules in suspension, interactions between molecules in suspension and wall-bound molecules, and biochemical sensing devices made of reservoirs for fluid containment linked by a nanotubes. Also disclosed are methods of delivering medicaments and monitoring fluidic interactions of molecules or analytes.

Abstract: Provided are probes featuring multiple electrodes, which probes have diameters in the nanometer range and may be inserted into cells or other subjects so as to monitor an electrical characteristic of the subject. The probes may also include a conductive coating on at least one probe element to improve the probes' performance. The probes may also be used to inject a fluid or other agent into the subject and simultaneously monitor changes in the subject's electrical characteristics in response to the injection. Related methods of fabricating and of using the inventive probes are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are nanoscale devices suitable for multiplexed, parallel detection of multiple analytes and methods for fabricating such devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanically-actuated devices for transporting fluids within a microfluidic circuit and performing diagnostic operations on a sample. Also disclosed are related methods for performing sample analysis effected by the motion of an actuator proximate to a microfluidic system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for fabricating integrated nano-scale and micro-scale structures. Also disclosed are carbon nanopipettes, shovels, and sheets made by these methods. Nano-scale and micro-scale structures fabricated by the disclosed methods are useful in a variety of application, for example, nanoelectrodes, functionalized probes for chemical and biological sensing, nanopipettes for fluid and macromolecule transfer, and devices for the dispensing and deposition of nanodrops.

Abstract: Provided are analysis cassettes that include removable sealing layers and deformable connector layers that place various channels, chambers, and reservoirs on the cassettes into fluid communication with one another. The cassettes are suitable for use in self-contained, immunoassay devices that may be operated in an automated fashion. Also disclosed are methods for analyzing samples by use of the disclosed cassettes.

Abstract: Disclosed are preloaded analysis modules comprising reagents disposed within a barrier material capable of liberating the reagents, at a time advantageous to a reaction scheme, when exposed to certain activation conditions or reagents. Also disclosed are related methods for analyzing samples with such modules.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrated devices capable of performing a polymerase chain reaction within a single vessel. Also disclosed are related methods of sample analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and systems for biological and chemical sample processing using microfluidic chips. The disclosed microfluidic chips contain at least two detection zones for interacting with pre-selected RNA sequences, DNA sequences, antibodies, or antigens to determine their presence in the sample. Systems are also described comprising a cassette having at least one port and a sample inlet in fluid communication with a detection zone for interacting with pre-selected RNA sequences, DNA sequences, antibodies, or antigens, or mixtures thereof, if present, in a sample. Methods for concurrent testing of at least two of RNA, DNA, antibody, and antigen in a sample are also described, as are methods for testing for pre-selected pathogens and microfluidic methods.