Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various microfluidic devices that may be used in thermal cyclic fluid samples. Some of these devices may include a plurality of microwells that may be coupled by interconnected fluidic channels. These microwells may not be physically separated and yet may include features allowing for effective isolation of target molecules within each microwell. Other devices may include a plurality of microwells that may not be interconnected. The devices may also include mechanisms for causing a fluid to flow across the device. The devices may also include light-absorbing films for converting light energy to heat so as to allow for thermal cycling of samples within the microwells.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In an exemplary method, a sample-containing fluid may be dispensed into a well through a sample port of a channel component. The channel component may include (a) a body having a bottom surface attached to the well, and a top surface with a microchannel formed therein, and (b) an input tube projecting into the well from the bottom surface of the body. The sample-containing fluid when dispensed may contact a bottom end of the input tube and may be retained, with assistance from gravity, out of contact with the microchannel. A pressure differential may be created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the input tube and through the microchannel.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for improving the quality of electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) data are described, as are methods, devices, and systems for achieving improved correlation between chemical separation data and mass spectrometry data.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for improving the quality of electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) data are described, as are methods, devices, and systems for achieving improved correlation between chemical separation data and mass spectrometry data.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for improving the quality of electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) data are described, as are methods, devices, and systems for achieving improved correlation between chemical separation data and mass spectrometry data.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In an exemplary method, a sample-containing fluid may be dispensed into a well through a sample port of a channel component. The channel component may include (a) a body having a bottom surface attached to the well, and a top surface with a microchannel formed therein, and (b) an input tube projecting into the well from the bottom surface of the body. The sample-containing fluid when dispensed may contact a bottom end of the input tube and may be retained, with assistance from gravity, out of contact with the microchannel. A pressure differential may be created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the input tube and through the microchannel.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In an exemplary method, a sample-containing fluid may be dispensed into a well through a sample port of a channel component. The channel component may include (a) a body having a bottom surface attached to the well, and a top surface with a microchannel formed therein, and (b) an input tube projecting into the well from the bottom surface of the body. The sample-containing fluid when dispensed may contact a bottom end of the input tube and may be retained, with assistance from gravity, out of contact with the microchannel. A pressure differential may be created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the input tube and through the microchannel.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In an exemplary method, a sample-containing fluid may be dispensed into a well through a sample port of a channel component. The channel component may include (a) a body having a bottom surface attached to the well, and a top surface with a microchannel formed therein, and (b) an input tube projecting into the well from the bottom surface of the body. The sample-containing fluid when dispensed may contact a bottom end of the input tube and may be retained, with assistance from gravity, out of contact with the microchannel. A pressure differential may be created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the input tube and through the microchannel.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In some embodiments, the system may include a well and a channel component attached to the well. The channel component may include (a) a body, (b) an input tube (a “fluid pickup”) projecting from a bottom surface of the body and having an open bottom end disposed in the input well, (c) a microchannel, and (d) a passage extending through the input tube and the body and connecting the well to the microchannel. The system may be configured to receive a sample-containing fluid in the well and retain the sample-containing fluid below a top end of the passage, until a pressure differential is created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the passage and through the microchannel.

Abstract: Sample holding system, including methods and apparatus, including a holder defining a well having a wicking promoter that encourages flow of a sample to the bottom of the well. Methods of making and using the holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In some embodiments, the system may include a well and a channel component attached to the well. The channel component may include (a) a body, (b) an input tube (a “fluid pickup”) projecting from a bottom surface of the body and having an open bottom end disposed in the input well, (c) a microchannel, and (d) a passage extending through the input tube and the body and connecting the well to the microchannel. The system may be configured to receive a sample-containing fluid in the well and retain the sample-containing fluid below a top end of the passage, until a pressure differential is created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the passage and through the microchannel.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for forming droplets of an emulsion. The system may include a channel junction at which a stream of sample fluid is divided into droplets by a dividing flow of carrier fluid. The system also may include one or more features configured to position sample fluid for reduced contact between the sample fluid and one or more surface regions of the channel junction, which may improve the consistency of droplet formation. In exemplary embodiments, sample fluid may be positioned by a step member produced by an increase in channel depth, and/or by directing flow of carrier fluid to form a barrier layer between sample fluid and a wall region, such as a ceiling region or floor region, of a channel network.

Abstract: Sample holding system, including methods and apparatus, including a holder defining a well having a wicking promoter that encourages flow of a sample to the bottom of the well. Methods of making and using the holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided with appropriate integrated structures to conduct large volume PCR and end-point or real-time capillary electrophoresis detection. The microfluidic device includes a substrate having an amplification chamber of a volume of nucleic acid, wells disposed on the substrate, flow channels connecting the wells and the chamber in the substrate to allow for solution flow through the chamber, and one or more separation channels provided in the substrate and connected to the chamber for separating and detecting a fraction of the amplified nucleic acid. The chamber, the flow channels, and the one or more separation channels are configured such that the hydrodynamic flow resistance of the chambers and the flow channels combined is at least 10?3 times smaller than the hydrodynamic flow resistance in the one or more separation channels. The microfluidic device can achieve a very high sensitivity in detection while being highly cost effective.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided with appropriate integrated structures to conduct large volume PCR and end-point or real-time capillary electrophoresis detection The microfluidic device includes a substrate having an amplification chamber of a volume of nucleic acid, wells disposed on the substrate, flow channels connecting the wells and the chamber in the substrate to allow for solution flow through the chamber, and one or more separation channels provided in the substrate and connected to the chamber for separating and detecting a fraction of the amplified nucleic acid The chamber, the flow channels, and the one or more separation channels are configured such that the hydrodynamic flow resistance of the chambers and the flow channels combined is at least 10?3 times smaller than the hydrodynamic flow resistance in the one or more separation channels The microfluidic device can achieve a very high sensitivity in detection while being highly cost effective

Abstract: The invention herein provides improved sample injection systems and related methods to create microfluidic devices with symmetrical channel configurations that can produce relatively large sample volumes. An embodiment of the invention provides microfluidic structures with different geometries that are symmetrical from the perspective of a sample load channel and a sample waste channel, which essentially eliminates issues of time offset and other problems commonly associated with twin-T sample formation techniques. A split-injection approach and related methods of sample plug formation are therefore provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a cell support system are described. The method and system include providing a first block, a second block coupled to the first block, and a plurality of microfluidic channels. The first block includes a plurality of cell wells therein. The second block includes a plurality of through holes therethrough. The plurality of holes are in fluid communication with at least one corresponding cell well of the plurality of cell wells. The plurality of microfluidic channels are in fluid combination with at least a portion of the plurality of cell wells and are configured to provide an active fluid flow with the portion of the plurality of cell wells.