Abstract: A multi-well plate comprising: inlet wells configured to contain liquid; walled observation windows located between the inlet wells, each observation window being associated with a respective inlet well; detection wells, each being disposed below a respective observation window and being associated with the respective inlet well associated with the respective observation window; outlet wells located between the inlet wells and the observation windows, each outlet well being associated with a respective inlet well and a respective detection well; inlet channels, disposed in first groups, each first group providing fluid communication between an inlet well and a respective detection well; outlet channels, disposed in second groups, each second group providing fluid communication between a detection well and a respective outlet well. The inlet channels are configured to prevent passage of the liquid from the inlet wells to the respective detection wells if no external force is applied to the liquid.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a method for making a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. Design improvements including an injection mold design for an insert and a base and a multiplex hole punch allow for rapid fabrication of the MA chip.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquot (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. An insert and a base are configured to create an MA chip.

Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of cells is provided. The device includes a top layer having a plurality of spaced apart microwells which are not in contact with each other, each microwell being open on top and sized to hold a single cell. Each microwell has a top cross sectional shape having a perimeter which includes at least one inner concave angle and at least one inner convex angle, for providing increased friction between the microwell and the cell contained within.

Abstract: A cell holder chip is provided, comprising a top layer having a plurality of spaced apart microwells and a plurality of microchannels, each microwell being open on top and configured to hold a single cell, and each microwell being connected to at least two nearby microwells via respective microchannels. The microchannels are sized to enable protrusions from the cells to spread therethrough and have widths smaller than the cells to preventing the cells from entering the microchannels.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolating an individual cell from a group of cells and transferring that isolated cell to a desired location, the apparatus comprising: a single-cell pipette tip, the single-cell pipette tip comprising: a structure having a distal end; a Y-shaped microchannel formed in the structure, the Y-shaped microchannel comprising a base microchannel, a first branch microchannel and a second branch microchannel, wherein the base microchannel extends to the distal end of the structure, the first branch microchannel is connectable to a first pressure channel, the second branch microchannel is connectable to a second pressure channel, and a single-cell trap is disposed in the base microchannel, distal to the convergence of the base microchannel with the first branch microchannel and the second branch microchannel.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the quantity of a target protein and other types of biomarkers or analytes present in a sample, the apparatus comprising: a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another; and a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate; wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are assembled together so that the top plate is on top of the bottom plate and the recesses of the top plate communicate with the recesses of the bottom plate so as to form a plurality of rows; and wherein at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is configured to slide relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate in order to form a plurality of columns, with each of the plurality of columns in communication with each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: The CRISPR-Cas nuclease system represents an efficient tool for genome editing and gene function analysis. It consists of two components: single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and the enzyme Cas9. The present invention introduces and optimizes a microfluidic membrane deformation method to deliver sgRNA and Cas9 into different cell types and achieve successful genome editing. This approach uses rapid cell mechanical deformation to generate transient membrane holes to enable delivery of biomaterials in the medium. The present invention has achieved high delivery efficiency of different macromolecules into different cell types, including hard-to-transfect lymphoma cells and embryonic stem cells, while maintaining high cell viability.

Abstract: A vertical cell pairing (VCP) system comprising: a substrate having a top surface; at least one micropit formed in the top surface of the substrate, the at least one micropit being sized to seat a cell; and at least one microtrap positioned adjacent the top surface of the substrate, the at least one microtrap comprising a body having a vertical slot, wherein the vertical slot has an opening and an exit, the vertical slot being sized to pass fluid therethrough but to prevent a cell from passing therethrough; wherein the at least one microtrap is disposed relative to the at least one micropit so that a cell seated in the at least one micropit is in cell-cell communication with a cell disposed at the opening of the vertical slot.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the quantity of a target analyte present in a sample, the apparatus comprising: a first plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the first plate; and a second plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the second plate; wherein the first plate and the second plate are assembled together so that the first plate is positioned against the second plate and the recesses of the first plate communicate with the recesses of the second plate so as to form a plurality of sample rows, a plurality of control rows, and an ink row disposed between the plurality of sample rows and the plurality of control rows.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a method for making a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. Design improvements including an injection mold design for an insert and a base and a multiplex hole punch allow for rapid fabrication of the MA chip.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquot (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. An insert and a base are configured to create an MA chip.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. Design improvements including an injection mold design for an insert and a base and a multiplex hole punch allow for rapid fabrication of the MA chip.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by a plurality of microchannels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). A relatively large (such as 120 ?L) cell suspension having several cells may be injected into the inlet of the MA chip, and single cells may be substantially simultaneously and uniformly distributed, via positive pressure-driving flow, to the several (such as 120) side wells having single cells in less than 1 minute. The MA Chip has a high efficiency in cell recovery. Due to rapid isolation and easy identification of single cells, high cell viability, high enrichment factor, and convenient transfer of submicroliter single-cell suspension, MA Chips are well compatible with CTC isolation from blood, single-cell cloning, PCR, and sequencing.

Abstract: Apparatus for single cell patterning, the apparatus comprising: a structure comprising a surface channel formed therein, the surface channel being connected to an inlet and an outlet; and a cell trap disposed in the surface channel, the cell trap comprising a body defining a flow diverter for diverting flow passing by the cell trap into a wide path or a narrow path, and the body and the structure together defining a well for capturing a cell diverted by the flow diverter toward the narrow path.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by a plurality of microchannels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). A relatively large (such as 120 ?L) cell suspension having several cells may be injected into the inlet of the MA chip, and single cells may be substantially simultaneously and uniformly distributed, via positive pressure-driving flow, to the several (such as 120) side wells having single cells in less than 1 minute. The MA Chip has a high efficiency in cell recovery. Due to rapid isolation and easy identification of single cells, high cell viability, high enrichment factor, and convenient transfer of submicroliter single-cell suspension, MA Chips are well compatible with CTC isolation from blood, single-cell cloning, PCR, and sequencing.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolating an individual cell from a group of cells and transferring that isolated cell to a desired location, the apparatus comprising: a single-cell pipette tip, the single-cell pipette tip comprising: a structure having a distal end; a Y-shaped microchannel formed in the structure, the Y-shaped microchannel comprising a base microchannel, a first branch microchannel and a second branch microchannel, wherein the base microchannel extends to the distal end of the structure, the first branch microchannel is connectable to a first pressure channel, the second branch microchannel is connectable to a second pressure channel, and a single-cell trap is disposed in the base microchannel, distal to the convergence of the base microchannel with the first branch microchannel and the second branch microchannel.

Abstract: An improved technique for studying the molecular mechanisms of aging in eukaryotic cells utilizes an efficient, high-throughput microfluidic single-cell analysis chip in combination with high-resolution time-lapse microscopy. A High-throughput Yeast Aging and Analysis (HYAA) Chip has a plurality of discrete microfluidic channels grouped into a number of modules. Each module has a single medium inlet and a single medium outlet. Each channel in a module has a microfluidic chamber having a plurality of single-cell trapping structures, and features a sample inlet for introducing cells into the flow of medium through the chamber. This innovative design enables the determination of the yeast replicative lifespan in a high throughput manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the quantity of a target protein and other types of biomarkers or analytes present in a sample, the apparatus comprising: a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another; and a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate; wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are assembled together so that the top plate is on top of the bottom plate and the recesses of the top plate communicate with the recesses of the bottom plate so as to form a plurality of rows; and wherein at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is configured to slide relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate in order to form a plurality of columns, with each of the plurality of columns in communication with each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the quantity of a target protein and/or other types of biomarkers or analytes present in a sample, the apparatus comprising: a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another; and a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate.