Abstract: A system and method sorts particles suspended in a fluid. The system includes a transverse flow filter and a microfluidic sorter. The transverse flow filter concentrates the particles in a retained portion of the fluid. The microfluidic sorter sorts the particles and includes a delivery channel and at least one sorting stage. The delivery channel is dimensioned to permit passage of all the particles in the retained fluid from the transverse flow filter. The delivery channel delivers the particles in the retained fluid to a respective input for each sorting stage and exhausts a remainder of both the particles and the retained fluid at a drain output. Each sorting stage has a labyrinth of interconnected passageways dimensioned to permit passage from the respective input to a respective output for the sorting stage of those of the particles smaller than a respective size for the sorting stage.

Abstract: A method for collecting samples of one or more substrate can include the steps of: A) providing a sample collection tube having a first end and a second end, B) providing a cap pivotable about the first end and a footplate pivotable about the second end, C) biasing the cap and the footplate closed so that a watertight compartment can be established inside the tube; D) forcing the cap and the footplate open by attaching the cap and footplate to a releasable fastener, E) positioning the sample collection tube into the one or more substrate to collect the sample, followed by F) releasing the cap and footplate from the releasable fastener so that a watertight compartment is established inside the tube when the cap and the footplate are closed.

Abstract: A method for collecting samples of one or more substrate can include the steps of: A) providing a sample collection tube having a first end and a second end, B) providing a cap pivotable about the first end and a footplate pivotable about the second end, C) biasing the cap and the footplate closed so that a watertight compartment can be established inside the tube; D) forcing the cap and the footplate open by attaching the cap and footplate to a releasable fastener, E) positioning the sample collection tube into the one or more substrate to collect the sample, followed by F) releasing the cap and footplate from the releasable fastener so that a watertight compartment is established inside the tube when the cap and the footplate are closed.

Abstract: A method uses flow cytometry to prepare surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for obtaining SERS spectra of bacteria. The method involves using a flow cytometer to sort bacterial cells into populations of bacterial cells based upon their biophysical characteristics. The cells may then be washed with a borate buffer to remove any chemical species that degrade the SERS response. A colloid-coated bacteria suspension is then created by mixing one of the populations of bacterial cells with SERS-active colloidal particles. The colloid-coated bacteria suspension is incubated until the SERS-active colloidal particles partition through the capsule and bind to the cell wall for each bacterial cell in the colloid-coated bacteria suspension. The colloid-coated bacteria suspension is then disposed onto a filter and a SERS spectra of the colloid-coated bacteria suspension is obtained using a Raman spectrometer.

Abstract: A method uses flow cytometry to prepare surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for obtaining SERS spectra of bacteria. The method involves using a flow cytometer to sort bacterial cells into populations of bacterial cells based upon their biophysical characteristics. The cells may then be washed with a borate buffer to remove any chemical species that degrade the SERS response. A colloid-coated bacteria suspension is then created by mixing one of the populations of bacterial cells with SERS-active colloidal particles. The colloid-coated bacteria suspension is incubated until the SERS-active colloidal particles partition through the capsule and bind to the cell wall for each bacterial cell in the colloid-coated bacteria suspension. The colloid-coated bacteria suspension is then disposed onto a filter and a SERS spectra of the colloid-coated bacteria suspension is obtained using a Raman spectrometer.