Abstract: A method for forming discrete volumes of aqueous fluid may comprise flowing aqueous fluid into a first conduit from a supply of aqueous fluid and flowing into the first conduit a spacing liquid supplied from a second conduit, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid. The flowing of the aqueous fluid and the spacing liquid into the first conduit forms discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid, with consecutive discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid separated by the spacing liquid. The method may further comprise transferring the discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid and spacing liquid from the first conduit to a third conduit for processing.

Abstract: A system may include a first conduit configured to form a first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid separated by spacing liquid disposed between consecutive volumes of aqueous fluid, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid volumes; a second conduit, fluidically coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit configured to statically hold the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid; and a third conduit configured to receive the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid from the second conduit. The third conduit can be configured to transfer the discrete volumes of aqueous fluid of the first batch for downstream processing.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of biological samples contains a support and a temperature controller. The suppose is configured to hold a case that includes an inner chamber and a substrate located within the inner chamber, the substrate containing a plurality of isolated reaction sites containing one or more biological samples. The temperature controller is configured to maintain or control a temperature of at least one of the support, the case, or the one or more biological samples during an assay or reaction on the one or more biological samples. The support is also configured to maintain at least one of the surfaces of substrate at a positive angle relative to a horizontal plane during the assay or reaction.

Abstract: A system may include a first conduit configured to form a first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid separated by spacing liquid disposed between consecutive volumes of aqueous fluid, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid volumes; a second conduit, fluidically coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit configured to statically hold the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid; and a third conduit configured to receive the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid from the second conduit. The third conduit can be configured to transfer the discrete volumes of aqueous fluid of the first batch for downstream processing.

Abstract: A method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The discrete volumes are separated from one another by a liquid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of biological samples contains a support and a temperature controller. The suppose is configured to hold a case that includes an inner chamber and a substrate located within the inner chamber, the substrate containing a plurality of isolated reaction sites containing one or more biological samples. The temperature controller is configured to maintain or control a temperature of at least one of the support, the case, or the one or more biological samples during an assay or reaction on the one or more biological samples. The support is also configured to maintain at least one of the surfaces of substrate at a positive angle relative to a horizontal plane during the assay or reaction.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of biological samples contains a support and a temperature controller. The support is configured to hold a case that includes an inner chamber and a substrate located within the inner chamber, the substrate containing a plurality of isolated reaction sites containing one or more biological samples. The temperature controller is configured to maintain or control a temperature of at least one of the support, the case, or the one or more biological samples during an assay or reaction on the one or more biological samples. The support is also configured to maintain at least one of the surfaces of substrate at a positive angle relative to a horizontal plane during the assay or reaction.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi, in fluids such as drinking water, pharmaceutical solutions and tissue culture media are provided. More particularly, provided are filtration devices for capture and processing of microorganisms from fluids, and improved methods for recovery, lysis and detection of microorganisms based on a combination of physical disruption with small beads and lysis solutions.

Abstract: A device for sample processing can include at least one chamber having an egress, said chamber being configured to receive a sample for processing, a filter through which at least some sample portions in the at least one chamber flow, and a barrier member disposed in a first state to contain sample in the at least one chamber. Upon sufficient conditions, the barrier member can be alterable to a second state to permit flow of at least some sample portions contained in the chamber in a flow direction toward the egress and through the filter.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of biological samples contains a support and a temperature controller. The support is configured to hold a case that includes an inner chamber and a substrate located within the inner chamber, the substrate containing a plurality of isolated reaction sites containing one or more biological samples. The temperature controller is configured to maintain or control a temperature of at least one of the support, the case, or the one or more biological samples during an assay or reaction on the one or more biological samples. The support is also configured to maintain at least one of the surfaces of substrate at a positive angle relative to a horizontal plane during the assay or reaction.

Abstract: Various embodiments described in the application relate to an apparatus, system, and method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The system can comprise an apparatus comprising at least one conduit operatively connected to one or more pumps for providing discrete volumes separated from one another by a fluid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi, in fluids such as drinking water, pharmaceutical solutions and tissue culture media are provided. More particularly, provided are filtration devices for capture and processing of microorganisms from fluids, and improved methods for recovery, lysis and detection of microorganisms based on a combination of physical disruption with small beads and lysis solutions.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for apportionment and manipulation of sample volumes into smaller discrete volumes. The method exploits the interplay of hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces to partition sample volumes. These compartmentalized volumes allow for isolation of samples and partitioning into a localized array that can subsequently be manipulated and analyzed. The partition into extremely small volumes along with the device's inherent portability render our invention versatile for use in many areas, including but not limited to PCR, digital PCR, biological assays for diagnostics and prognostics, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, high throughput screening, single molecule and single cell reactions or assays, the study crystallization and other statistical processes, protein crystallization, drug screening, environmental testing, and the coupling to a wide range of analytical detection techniques for biomedical assays and measurements.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.

Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

Abstract: An enrichment module and method are provided for enriching a population of templated beads and separating them from non-templated beads. The method can include hybridizing a templated bead with an enrichment bead to form a complex, trapping the complex in a filtration medium, washing non-templated beads through the filtration medium while retaining the complex, and then eluting the templated bead from the complex. The module can include a column for enrichment and filtration material exhibiting desired size-exclusion properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a microplate, wherein the apparatus comprises a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells is formed in the first surface of the microplate, wherein each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sealing cover is disposed over the microplate adjacent the plurality of wells and is compliant to accommodate variations between the sealing cover and the microplate and/or distribute loads evenly therebetween.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.