Abstract: The present invention pertains to detection of a tumor in a urinary organ using microRNA(s). MiR-200c-5p, miR-214-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-21-3p, miR-210-3p and/or miR-200b-3p can be used as biomarkers of tumors in a urinary organ to detect a tumor in or predict a prognosis of a tumor in a urinary organ.

Abstract: A disclosed insert for a circular-shaped petri dish can generate a substantially uniform electric field across the petri dish that is filled with a fluid establishing a salt bridge. The insert includes a circular-shaped bottom plate defining a circular-shaped space; a side channel vertically erecting from a circular periphery of said bottom plate; and a pair of current rectifying chambers each having a generally planar shape communicating with the side channel. In at least some aspects of the invention, portions of the side channel bridging the pair of current rectifying chambers each have a generally concave top profile having a lowest point at the center between the pair of current rectifying chambers such that, when the salt bridge is established, the circular-shaped space defined by the bottom plate exhibits a substantially uniform electric field in a substantially entire area of the space.

Abstract: A disclosed insert for a circular-shaped petri dish can generate a substantially uniform electric field across the petri dish that is filled with a fluid establishing a salt bridge. The insert includes a circular-shaped bottom plate defining a circular-shaped space; a side channel vertically erecting from a circular periphery of said bottom plate; and a pair of current rectifying chambers each having a generally planar shape communicating with the side channel. In at least some aspects of the invention, portions of the side channel bridging the pair of current rectifying chambers each have a generally concave top profile having a lowest point at the center between the pair of current rectifying chambers such that, when the salt bridge is established, the circular-shaped space defined by the bottom plate exhibits a substantially uniform electric field in a substantially entire area of the space.

Abstract: A novel approach for fabricating Monolithic Internal micro Pillars (MIPi) made of SU-8 photoresist is described. A microfluidic chip with the internal pillars (a MIPi chip) was used for cell capturing study. The surface of MIPi was coated with specific antibody and then used for capturing cells by affinity binding. An antibody, anti-EGFR, which has high affinity to lung cancer cells, CL1-5, was coated on the micro pillars. The coated MIPi chip specifically captured the cancer cells that were pumped through the MIPi chip. Simulation and experiment was carried out to compare the effect of different geometry of the micro pillars on the cell capturing rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting cancer cells. The device includes a light source for generating light (e.g., a light emitting diode), a first optical filter selected from the group consisting of a band pass filter and a long pass filter, a second optical filter (i.e., a band pass filter) disposed between the light source and the first optical filter, and a sample receiver for receiving a sample. The sample receiver is disposed between the first and second optical filters. The first optical filter, the sample receiver, and the second optical filter are aligned so that light emitted from the light source passes sequentially through the second optical filter, the sample receiver, and the first optical filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybridization device coupled by means of vibration to shorten the time needed for hybridization. This hybridization device of the present invention comprises an oscillation generating unit; a spacer attached to the top of the oscillation generating unit, which wraps around to form a tank, and the tank is loaded with a transmission solution; a loading plate having a loading face was paved with at least one nucleic acid probe, and the flip side of the loading face is a transmission face, which covers on top of the spacer to form a closed space, and is attached with the transmission solution. The vibration generated by the oscillation generating unit can be propagated to the loading plate through the transmission solution to promote the effective mixing of the nucleic acid to be analyzed and the probe, further to shorten the time needed for nucleic acid hybridization and to increase the detection sensitivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting cancer cells. The device includes a light source for generating light (e.g., a light emitting diode), a first optical filter selected from the group consisting of a band pass filter and a long pass filter, a second optical filter (i.e., a band pass filter) disposed between the light source and the first optical filter, and a sample receiver for receiving a sample. The sample receiver is disposed between the first and second optical filters. The first optical filter, the sample receiver, and the second optical filter are aligned so that light emitted from the light source passes sequentially through the second optical filter, the sample receiver, and the first optical filter.

Abstract: The microarray biochemical reaction device of this invention integrates microfluidic trenches with a microarray to form a serpentine microchannel passing through all DNA probes provided in the microarray. A sample solution is introduced into the microchannel and scrambled into discrete plugs to induce droplet mixing. The discrete plugs are then shuttled through the entire microchannel (shuttle hybridization), sweeping over DNA probes to perform hybridization. Using chaotic mixing of droplets, the hybridization efficiency is enhanced and reaction time for hybridization is shortened. During shuttling, the plugs are thoroughly mixed by the natural re-circulating flows. Method for the preparation of the microarray biochemical reaction device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparation and surface modification of plastic microfluidic chip is disclosed. A microfluidic chip is first prepared by micromachining using a laser scriber on a plastic substrate, such as a PMMA substrate, to have a desired trench width or trench widths and desired aspect ratio. Surface modification is obtained after a thermal annealing treatment, followed by a chemical modification process. During the chemical modification diverse functional groups such as perfluoroalkyl (—CnF2n+2), amino (—NH2) or sulfhydryl (—SH) are introduced to perform surface passivation or further biomolecules immobilization. A plastic microfluidic chip with modified surface characters is thus obtained. The present invention also discloses plastic microfluidic chips so prepared.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for parallel oligonucleotide synthesis of hundreds of different sequences and lengths at a time. Standard phosphoramidite chemistry is employed. The syntheses take place in a reaction plate compatible with the industrial standard microplate format to allow the use of readily available automated instruments for subsequent processing. Key parameters in reducing synthesis volume in small reaction wells are discussed. This invention provides solutions to the difficulties of low volume, high number synthetic reactions.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for parallel oligonucleotide synthesis of hundreds of different sequences and lengths at a time. Standard phosphoramidite chemistry is employed. The syntheses take place in a reaction plate compatible with the industrial standard microplate format to allow the use of readily available automated instruments for subsequent processing. Key parameters in reducing synthesis volume in small reaction wells are discussed. This invention provides solutions to the difficulties of low volume, high number synthetic reactions.