Abstract: A sample holder is provided. The sample holder includes a first member including a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate comprising a sample. The first retaining mechanism configured to retain the first substrate disposed in a first plane. The sample holder further includes a second member including a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate including a reagent medium disposed in a second plane. The sample holder further includes an alignment mechanism connected to one or both of the first member and the second member. The alignment mechanism configured to align the first and second members along the first plane and/or the second plane such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned and within a threshold distance along an axis orthogonal to the second plane.

Abstract: Devices (e.g., flow cell holders) and methods for flow cell assembly and disassembly are provided. The flow cell holders and methods can be used to join or separate the bottom and top layers of a flow cell.