Abstract: Phenotyping of cells involves loading a biological sample into a microfluidic device (1, 100) comprising cell compartments (20, 120) to capture biological material, including target cells, in the sample in the cell compartments (20, 120). A subset (20A) of the cell compartments (20, 120) is identified as comprising target cells exhibiting target phenotype characteristic(s) as determined based on monitoring biological material in the cell compartments (20, 120) prior to addition of a test agent. The biological material is exposed to a test agent and a phenotypic response of the target cells to the test agent is determined based on monitoring target cells in the identified subset (20A) of the cell compartments (20, 120). The phenotyping of the target cells is thereby not overshadowed by the response of other cells and non-cell material present in the biological sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting contours and measuring dimensions of an object employs a plurality of light transmitting means for transmitting a scan of an equal plurality of light rays, and also employs an equal plurality of light receiving means, each arranged to receive light from only a complementary one of the light transmitting means. The object is moved through the light rays such that the object prevents the light receiving means from receiving light shining on one side of the contours of the object. Counter means are employed for counting the number of light receiving means which receive light from corresponding light transmitting means. The light transmitting means and light receiving means are disposed in a configuration enabling a more sensitive detection of the contours yet avoiding the risk of "cross-talk" between adjacent light receivers.