Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell subassembly, which may be assembled into a flow cell having fluidic connections outside of the main substrate, is described for encapsulating a sample to allow for subsequent controlled delivery of reagents to the sample, such as multiplexed in situ biomarker staining and analysis. Methods for fabricating the subassembly and assembled flow cell are also provided. The method includes the steps of adhering a gasket layer to a substrate layer, wherein the gasket layer may contain enclosed features and adhering an adherent layer to the gasket layer. The subassembly may be sealed against a solid support to form a flow cell.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for preparing a sample containing an analyte of interest is provided. The microfluidic system includes a microfluidic cartridge and a magnetic element. The microfluidic cartridge includes a number of reservoirs, an immobilizer, a number of microfluidic flow channels and a number of microvalves. The microfluidic channels are coupled with the reservoirs and the immobilizer. The microvalves are positioned along the microfluidic flow channels. The magnetic element is positioned with respect to the immobilizer. The magnetic element is configured to generate a magnetic field to magnetically immobilize the analyte of interest in the immobilizer. The immobilizer is configured to flow one or more reagents therethrough to react with the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell subassembly, which may be assembled into a flow cell having fluidic connections outside of the main substrate, is described for encapsulating a sample to allow for subsequent controlled delivery of reagents to the sample, such as multiplexed in situ biomarker staining and analysis. Methods for fabricating the subassembly and assembled flow cell are also provided. The method includes the steps of adhering a gasket layer to a substrate layer, wherein the gasket layer may contain enclosed features and adhering an adherent layer to the gasket layer. The subassembly may be sealed against a solid support to form a flow cell.