Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclose provides methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids. Methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids comprise isolating a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules into a plurality of microchambers, performing a polymerase chain reaction on the plurality of microchambers, and analyzing the results of the polymerase chain reaction. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides devices consistent with the methods herein.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclose provides methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids. Methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids comprise isolating a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules into a plurality of microchambers, performing a polymerase chain reaction on the plurality of microchambers, and analyzing the results of the polymerase chain reaction. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides devices consistent with the methods herein.

Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.

Abstract: The device and method relate to microfluidic particle analysis. The device is designed for trapping particles for solution analysis. Exemplary particles include beads and cells. The device has a microfluidics body, and a microfluidics channel formed in the body for receiving particles at an upstream region thereof. The channel has a deformable wall portion that defines a particle-capture region, and is responsive to a change in fluid pressure applied thereto, to selectively vary the particle-flow dimensions of the capture region. In this way, particles having a given size may be selectively retained in the capture region. In one embodiment, the deformable wall portion is expandable in response to a positive fluid pressure applied within the channel. In another embodiment, the deformable wall portion is expandable in response to a negative pressure applied to a cavity communicating with the wall portion, external to the channel.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclose provides methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids. Methods for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids comprise isolating a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules into a plurality of microchambers, performing a polymerase chain reaction on the plurality of microchambers, and analyzing the results of the polymerase chain reaction. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides devices consistent with the methods herein.

Abstract: A microfluidic device can have a plurality of microchambers connected to a microchannel via siphon apertures. The microfluidic device may be formed from a thermoplastic and capped by a thermoplastic thin film. The microfluidic device may be used for digital polymerase chain reactions by forcing reagent into the microchambers at low pressure via an inlet, forcing any gas trapped in the microfluidic device to outgas through the thin film by applying high pressure to the microfluidic device via inlets and outlets of the microfluidic device, and applying air at low pressure to the inlets in order to digitize the chambers such that the reagent in each chamber is isolated from the reagent in other chambers by an air gap. After digitization, the device may be used to run a digital polymerase chain reaction process.

Abstract: A microfluidic device can have a plurality of microchambers connected to a microchannel via siphon apertures. The microfluidic device may be formed from a thermoplastic and capped by a thermoplastic thin film. The microfluidic device may be used for digital polymerase chain reactions by forcing reagent into the microchambers at low pressure via an inlet, forcing any gas trapped in the microfluidic device to outgas through the thin film by applying high pressure to the microfluidic device via inlets and outlets of the microfluidic device, and applying air at low pressure to the inlets in order to digitize the chambers such that the reagent in each chamber is isolated from the reagent in other chambers by an air gap. After digitization, the device may be used to run a digital polymerase chain reaction process.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating microfluidics devices, microfluidics cell-culture device and systems having a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, the fabrication methods using semi-rigid materials during molding that are incorporated into the final device.

Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.