Abstract: Analysis systems with a housing having a chamber sized and configured to receive at least one microfluidic device. The systems also include an optic system coupled to the housing in optical communication with the at least one microfluidic device, a controller coupled to the optic system, a heat source coupled to the optic system and thermally coupled to the at least one microfluidic device held in the housing, and a sub-array selection module in communication with the controller. The sub-array selection module is configured to select a sub-set of sets of microwells of at least one fluid channel of the microfluidic device for imaging by the optic system after a reaction step (e.g., one thermocycle) during an assay.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells; and a plurality of solid supports, and each of the solid supports has a reagent attached thereto. The reagent is attached to the solid support via a labile reagent/support bond such that the reagent is configured to be cleaved from the support via a cleaving operation.

Abstract: A miniature electrode apparatus is disclosed for trapping charged particles, the apparatus includes, along a longitudinal direction, a first end cap electrode, a central electrode having an aperture, and a second end cap electrode. The aperture is elongated in the lateral plane and extends through the central electrode along the longitudinal direction and the central electrode surrounds the aperture in a lateral plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to define a transverse cavity for trapping charged particles. Electric fields can be applied in a y-direction of the lateral plane across one or more planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to translocate and/or manipulate ion trajectories.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells; and a plurality of solid supports, and each of the solid supports has a reagent attached thereto. The reagent is attached to the solid support via a labile reagent/support bond such that the reagent is configured to be cleaved from the support via a cleaving operation.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells; and a plurality of solid supports, and each of the solid supports has a reagent attached thereto. The reagent is attached to the solid support via a labile reagent/support bond such that the reagent is configured to be cleaved from the support via a cleaving operation.

Abstract: Devices and methods generate an ordered restriction map of genomic DNA extracted from whole cells, nuclei, whole chromosomes, or other sources of long DNA molecules. The devices have a fluidic microchannel that merges into a reaction nanochannel that merges into a detection nanochannel at an interface where the nanochannel diameter decreases in size by between 50% to 99%. Intact molecules of DNA are transported to the reaction nanochannel and then fragmented in the reaction nanochannel using restriction endonuclease enzymes. The reaction nanochannel is sized and configured so that the fragments stay in an original order until they are injected into the detection nanochannel. Signal at one or more locations along the detection nanochannel is detected to map fragments in the order they occur along a long DNA molecule.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: A miniature electrode apparatus is disclosed for trapping charged particles, the apparatus includes, along a longitudinal direction, a first end cap electrode, a central electrode having an aperture, and a second end cap electrode. The aperture is elongated in the lateral plane and extends through the central electrode along the longitudinal direction and the central electrode surrounds the aperture in a lateral plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to define a transverse cavity for trapping charged particles. Electric fields can be applied in a y-direction of the lateral plane across one or more planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to translocate and/or manipulate ion trajectories.

Abstract: Devices for controlling the capture, trapping, and transport of macromolecules include at least one fluidic transport nanochannel that intersects and is in fluid communication with at least one transverse nanochannel with (shallow) regions and/or with integrated transverse electrodes that enable fine control of molecule transport dynamics and facilitates analyses of interest, e.g., molecular identification, length determination, localized (probe) mapping and the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods generate an ordered restriction map of genomic DNA extracted from whole cells. The devices have a fluidic microchannel that merges into a reaction nanochannel that merges into a detection nanochannel at an interface where the nanochannel diameter decreases in size by between 50% to 99%. Intact molecules of DNA are transported to the reaction nanochannel and then fragmented in the reaction nanochannel using restriction endonuclease enzymes. The reaction nanochannel is sized and configured so that the fragments stay in an original order until they are injected into the detection nanochannel. Signal at one or more locations along the detection nanochannel is detected to map fragments in the order they occur along a long DNA molecule.

Abstract: Provided are compounds, compositions, kits, systems, devices, and methods for improving an assay such as, for example, a multiplexed PCR assay (e.g., a multiplexed immuno-PCR assay). A solid support (e.g., a bead) may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The solid support may comprise an encoding agent (e.g., a dye), a nucleic acid sequence (e.g., an oligonucleotide and/or primer); and a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody). A detection reagent may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The detection reagent may comprise a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody) and a nucleic acid tag. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of the solid support and at least a portion of the nucleic acid target tag of the detection reagent are configured to participate in a nucleic acid amplification process. A solid support and detection reagent may bind to the same target, thereby forming a reagent pair.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Devices, such as chips for DNA analysis, have at least one fluid transport nanochannel with at least one intersecting (e.g., transverse) sensing nanochannel that can be monitored for change in ionic current to determine characteristics or parameters of interest, e.g., molecular identification, length determination, localized (probe) mapping and the like.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, devices, and methods for improving a surface property of a substrate. In some embodiments, the hydrophobicity and/or fluorocarbon-phobicity of the surface is increased. Some embodiments include compositions, devices and methods for improving bead loading and/or immiscible oil sealing of microwell array reactions on plastic microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Analysis systems with a housing having a chamber sized and configured to receive at least one microfluidic device. The systems also include an optic system coupled to the housing in optical communication with the at least one microfluidic device, a controller coupled to the optic system, a heat source coupled to the optic system and thermally coupled to the at least one microfluidic device held in the housing, and a sub-array selection module in communication with the controller. The sub-array selection module is configured to select a sub-set of sets of microwells of at least one fluid channel of the microfluidic device for imaging by the optic system after a reaction step (e.g., one thermocycle) during an assay.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: Methods of forming a chip with fluidic channels include forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanofunnel with a wide end and a narrow end into a planar substrate, the nanofunnel having a length, with width and depth dimensions that both vary over its length and forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanochannel into the planar substrate at an interface adjacent the narrow end of the nanofunnel.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.