Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The multiple outputs may be implemented using structures outside of, and in addition to, the microfabricated sorter. These may include pneumatic valves, which may transfer the contents of one fluid receptacle to another. This may enable simple and inexpensive serial sorting.

Abstract: A microfabricated droplet dispensing structure is described, which may include a MEMS microfluidic fluidic valve, configured to open and close a microfluidic channel. The opening and closing of the valve may separate a target particle and a bead from a sample stream, and direct these two particle into a single droplet formed at the edge of the substrate. The droplet may then be encased in a sheath flow of an immiscible fluid. The system may use a hydrogel material to encapsulate the particles in the droplet.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The particle manipulation device may have two separate sort output channels, wherein the sort channel used depends on the characteristics of the sort pulse delivered to the micromechanical particle manipulation device.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical structure for modulating light beams includes multiple asymmetric deformable diffractive elements, each having an L-shaped cross section, split pedestal and flexible reflective member. The reflective member has an elongated shape, and a supported part and unsupported part. The split pedestal extends along the long dimension of the supported part of the reflective member and is anchored to a substrate which supports one or more electrodes or serves as an electrode. The diffractive element is movable between a non-energized position wherein the diffractive element acts to reflect a beam of light as a planar mirror, to an energized position wherein upon application of an electrostatic force, the diffractive element flexes independently about an axis parallel to the long dimension of each reflective member to vary a curvature of the reflective member to form a blazed grating.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: A microfabricated droplet dispensing structure is described, which may include a MEMS microfluidic fluidic valve, configured to open and close a microfluidic channel. The opening and closing of the valve may separate a target biological particle containing genomic material, and a bead from a sample stream, and direct these two particle into a single droplet formed at the edge of the substrate. The droplet may then be encased in a sheath flow of an immiscible fluid, and provided to a downstream workflow.

Abstract: A cell sorting device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a magnetic separation “debulking” stage followed a microfabricated fluid valve. The magnetic separation stage may use a sorting magnet and sort particle using magnetic beads attached to the particles. The device may include at least one fluid channel, wherein the sorting magnet and the particle manipulation device are in fluid communication with one another through at least one fluid channel. A method of sorting cells from a first cell suspension is also disclosed, The method may include a) magnetic labeling of first target cells and removal of the non-target cells by applying magnetic fields to obtain a second cell suspension; b) fluorescence-activated labeling of second target cells present in the second cell suspension and separating the fluorescence-activated second target cells from the not labeled cells to obtain a third cell suspension.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical structure for modulating light beams includes multiple asymmetric deformable diffractive elements, each having an L-shaped cross section, split pedestal and flexible reflective member. The reflective member has an elongated shape, and a supported part and unsupported part. The split pedestal extends along the long dimension of the supported part of the reflective member and is anchored to a substrate which supports one or more electrodes or serves as an electrode. The diffractive element is movable between a non-energized position wherein the diffractive element acts to reflect a beam of light as a planar mirror, to an energized position wherein upon application of an electrostatic force, the diffractive element flexes independently about an axis parallel to the long dimension of each reflective member to vary a curvature of the reflective member to form a blazed grating.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The particle manipulation device may have two separate sort output channels, wherein the sort channel used depends on the characteristics of the sort pulse delivered to the micromechanical particle manipulation device.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to determination of susceptibility to eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, and/or allergic diseases, disorders, and/or pulmonary and/or upper gastrointestinal conditions arising therefrom and/or related thereto and the diagnosis, treatment, and/or management of eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, and/or allergic diseases, disorders, and/or pulmonary and/or upper gastrointestinal conditions arising therefrom and/or related thereto. Embodiments of the invention relate to the association between genes and specific polymorphisms of genes with eosinophilic esophagitis. Embodiments of the invention can be used to determine and manage patient risk factors for development of eosinophilic esophagitis; this determination can then be used to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis and to treat a patient diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to determination of susceptibility to eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, and/or allergic diseases, disorders, and/or pulmonary and/or upper gastrointestinal conditions arising therefrom and/or related thereto and the diagnosis, treatment, and/or management of eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, and/or allergic diseases, disorders, and/or pulmonary and/or upper gastrointestinal conditions arising therefrom and/or related thereto. Embodiments of the invention relate to the association between genes and specific polymorphisms of genes with eosinophilic esophagitis. Embodiments of the invention can be used to determine and manage patient risk factors for development of eosinophilic esophagitis; this determination can then be used to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis and to treat a patient diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Abstract: A method for creating small features in an Al/Ag/Ti multilayer stack is disclosed. The method uses a combination of wet and dry etching techniques to anisotropically etch the layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the prediction and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus using a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Abstract: A microfabricated cross flow filter may have multiple filtration stages. The filtration stages may include microfabricated filter barriers and gaps created in a substrate, thereby allowing very tight tolerances in the filter barrier and gap dimensions to be maintained. Using the microfabrication techniques, the filter barriers can be made having arbitrary shapes, and arranged at an angle or curved with respect to the flow direction, making the pressure drop across the filtration stage more uniform in the cross flow direction.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-pin liquid sample dispensing system is provided. The two-pin dispensing system comprises a pair of separately movable pins for holding a droplet of liquid therebetween. Each pin includes a tip spaced predetermined distance from the other pin to define a sample acquisition region. The pins acquire and hold a droplet of the liquid sample in the sample acquisition region formed in the space between the tips and apply the droplet to a selected sample handing system. The distance between the tips is variable to accommodate different liquid samples having varying physical properties and to vary the volume of the acquired droplet.