Abstract: A composition is disclosed for the amplification of nucleic acid sequences, which is intended to be mixed with a biological sample containing one or more target nucleic acid sequences and with primers specific for the target nucleic acid sequence(s), and fluorescent probes for revealing an amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence(s). The composition includes reagents and enzymes for nucleic acid application. The composition also includes a polymerizable reagent, which polymerizes under the influence of a stimulation chosen from a heat stimulation and a light stimulation, so as to form a hydrogel which locally encapsulates each target nucleic acid sequence when the composition is exposed to the stimulation. A method using said composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for multiplexed detection of nucleic acid sequences comprises a thermal cycler arranged to perform a series of thermal cycles with an in vitro nucleic acid extraction reagent containing at least two fluorescence probes combining a quencher and a fluorophore. The fluorescence probes are each arranged to target a distinct nucleic acid sequence and the fluorophores have overlapping fluorescence wavelength ranges. A light sensor is arranged to measure radiation emitted by the fluorophores in the fluorescence wavelength ranges, the radiation emitted by each probe varying depending on whether the latter is in a non-modified state in which the quencher mitigates, or does not substantially mitigate, the fluorescence emission, or in a modified state in which the quencher has an opposite effect on the fluorescence emission.

Abstract: A cell culture device comprising at least one microwell comprising a top portion including a top opening for introducing cells, a bottom portion for cultivating said cells and a side wall joining said top portion to said bottom portion for guiding cells from said top opening to said bottom portion, characterized in that said top portion and said side wall are integral and made of a first material non-adhesive to cells and said bottom portion is made of a second material adhesive to cells.

Abstract: A system for testing a microfluidic sample chip to perform PCR and/or fluorescence type testing of the biological samples. The chip having the form of a hollow block including at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall and a lower wall. The chamber receiving a sample to be tested and the chamber being associated with thermalization element and with a sensor to measure the fluorescence. The system further includes a tab, preferably opaque and/or rigid or semirigid, positioned in the continuation of, and preferably in the same plane as, the walls.

Abstract: A microfluidic sample chip to test biological samples, especially for a PCR-type and/or fluorescence assay. The chip being in the shape of a hollow block having at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, into which a sample can be introduced for testing. The lower wall of the block is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity and the upper wall is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the upper wall is preferably permeable to radiation in the visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm. The block having at least two openings through which the sample can be introduced into at least one of the chambers and through which the air present in the chamber can be evacuated when the sample is introduced.

Abstract: A microfluidic sample chip to test biological samples, especially for a PCR-type and/or fluorescence assay. The chip being in the shape of a hollow block having at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, into which a sample can be introduced for testing. The lower wall of the block is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity and the upper wall is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the upper wall is preferably permeable to radiation in the visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm. The block having at least two openings through which the sample can be introduced into at least one of the chambers and through which the air present in the chamber can be evacuated when the sample is introduced.

Abstract: A microfluidic thermalization chip, a system using such a chip and a PCR method for detecting DNA sequences. The chip contains a block of material in which a cavity is configured to contain at least one fluid. The cavity includes at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. The inlet orifice for the fluid is connected to at least one, preferably at least two, fluid-injecting channels. Further, the chip includes at least one microfluidic channel for bypassing the cavity. The channel is connected by a first end to at least one of the fluid-injecting channels. The junction between the bypassing channel and the fluid-injecting channel is located at a distance L from the inlet orifice of the fluid-injecting channel. The distance L is preferably smaller than 2 cm.

Abstract: A system to measure the flow rate of a liquid in a microfluidic circuit. The system includes a vessel that is partially filled with the liquid, a gaseous ceiling above the vessel and a pressure regulator to maintain the pressure of the gas in the gaseous ceiling at a predetermined value P1. A capillary pipe to extract the liquid from the vessel and to output the liquid at a pressure P2 lower than P1. A first inlet of the pressure sensor is connected to the gaseous ceiling, a second inlet of the pressure sensor is connected to the capillary pipe, and the outlet of the pressure sensor outputs a signal as a function of the pressure difference (P1?P2), which is a measurement representing the flow rate of pressurized P2 liquid supplied to the microfluidic circuit.

Abstract: A microfluidic thermalization chip, a system using such a chip and a PCR method for detecting DNA sequences. The chip contains a block of material in which a cavity is configured to contain at least one fluid. The cavity includes at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. The inlet orifice for the fluid is connected to at least one, preferably at least two, fluid-injecting channels. Further, the chip includes at least one microfluidic channel for bypassing the cavity. The channel is connected by a first end to at least one of the fluid-injecting channels. The junction between the bypassing channel and the fluid-injecting channel is located at a distance L from the inlet orifice of the fluid-injecting channel. The distance L is preferably smaller than 2 cm.

Abstract: A microfluidic sample chip to test biological samples, especially for a PCR-type and/or fluorescence assay. The chip being in the shape of a hollow block having at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, into which a sample can be introduced for testing. The lower wall of the block is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity and the upper wall is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the upper wall is preferably permeable to radiation in the visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm. The block having at least two openings through which the sample can be introduced into at least one of the chambers and through which the air present in the chamber can be evacuated when the sample is introduced.

Abstract: A micro-structured substrate to support a liquid sample having a lower face and an upper face. At least one surface cavity of volume V0 opening onto the upper face and forming a zone for analyzing the liquid sample. A first groove having a first volume V1, positioned around each surface cavity and opening onto the upper face thereof. The substrate also includes at least one second groove opening onto the upper face thereof and positioned around the first groove. The sum of the volumes of the second grooves is equal to V2. The volume V1+V2 is greater than or equal to 0.05 V0, preferably 0.1 V0. An analysis assembly including the substrate and the use thereof is also contemplated herein.

Abstract: A system to measure the flow rate of a liquid in a microfluidic circuit. The system includes a vessel that is partially filled with the liquid, a gaseous ceiling above the vessel and a pressure regulator to maintain the pressure of the gas in the gaseous ceiling at a predetermined value P1. A capillary pipe to extract the liquid from the vessel and to output the liquid at a pressure P2 lower than P1. A first inlet of the pressure sensor is connected to the gaseous ceiling, a second inlet of the pressure sensor is connected to the capillary pipe, and the outlet of the pressure sensor outputs a signal as a function of the pressure difference (P1?P2), which is a measurement representing the flow rate of pressurized P2 liquid supplied to the microfluidic circuit.

Abstract: A micro-structured substrate to support a liquid sample having a lower face and an upper face. At least one surface cavity of volume V0 opening onto the upper face and forming a zone for analyzing the liquid sample. A first groove having a first volume V1, positioned around each surface cavity and opening onto the upper face thereof. The substrate also includes at least one second groove opening onto the upper face thereof and positioned around the first groove. The sum of the volumes of the second grooves is equal to V2. The volume V1+V2 is greater than or equal to 0.05 V0, preferably 0.1 V0. An analysis assembly including the substrate and the use thereof is also contemplated herein.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a device for guiding cell migration comprising a substrate having a textured surface intended to be brought into contact with cells, said textured surface having an anisotropic three-dimensional structure consisting of a network of projections inclined relative to the normal to the plane formed by said textured structure, in the direction imparted by said anisotropic structure. The invention also concerns, according to another aspect, a method for guiding cell migration including the bringing into contact of cells with a substrate having a textured surface and an anisotropic three-dimensional structure, said structure consisting of projections inclined as previously described. The device or method according to the invention can in particular be applied in the fields of dermatology, implantology and tissue engineering.

Abstract: A guiding device in which cells are confined between a support surface and a textured surface of a substrate, said textured surface having an anisotropic three-dimensional structure having a repeating pattern that repeats according to a repeat axis, said repeating pattern having a succession of guide spaces adjacent to one another according to the repeat axis, each of said guide spaces being capable of receiving at least one portion of one of the cells and being oriented according to a direction of anisotropy to guide a movement of the cells in the direction of anisotropy.

Abstract: A guiding device in which cells are confined between a support surface and a textured surface of a substrate, said textured surface having an anisotropic three-dimensional structure having a repeating pattern that repeats according to a repeat axis, said repeating pattern having a succession of guide spaces adjacent to one another according to the repeat axis, each of said guide spaces being capable of receiving at least one portion of one of the cells and being oriented according to a direction of anisotropy to guide a movement of the cells in the direction of anisotropy.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a device for guiding cell migration comprising a substrate having a textured surface intended to be brought into contact with cells, said textured surface having an anisotropic three-dimensional structure consisting of a network of projections inclined relative to the normal to the plane formed by said textured structure, in the direction imparted by said anisotropic structure. The invention also concerns, according to another aspect, a method for guiding cell migration including the bringing into contact of cells with a substrate having a textured surface and an anisotropic three-dimensional structure, said structure consisting of projections inclined as previously described. The device or method according to the invention can in particular be applied in the fields of dermatology, implantology and tissue engineering.