Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing particles in which the particles suspended in a first fluid are introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one first microchamber or first region, in which a second fluid is introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one second region or second microchamber, in such a way as not to mix with the first fluid, and in which at least one field of force acting on the particles is activated in the microchamber(s), to provoke a shift of the particles alone in a predetermined direction and to transfer the same in suspension into the second fluid.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic system comprising a micro-fluidic channel, which has a wall provided with a hole; a closing element, which is partially housed within the hole and has a membrane portion adapted to deform and a side portion sealingly connected with the above mentioned wall; and a partition arranged within the micro-fluidic channel between a first and a second segment; the closing element is deformable between a locked configuration in contact with the partition and an open configuration spaced from the partition; the closing element may be deformed by suction or by a rod or a piston.

Abstract: A method for determining the integrity of the genome of a sample and/or the quality of a library of DNA sequences obtained by deterministic restriction site whole genome amplification can include (a) amplifying the library of DNA sequences to produce first, second, and third PCR products each of a different size from 50 bp to 1000 bp, by PCR using at least one first primer pair, one second primer pair and one third primer pair, the primer pairs each hybridizing to a DNA sequence of the library having a length from 1000 bp to 5000 bp and corresponding to a sequence of the genome located respectively on a first, second and third chromosome arm; (b) detecting the first, second and third PCR products; (c) correlating the presence of the first, second and third PCR products with the integrity of the genome of the sample and/or the quality of the library.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection or processing of particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus to rupture/lysis at least one selected particle or the fusion of first and second selected particles are disclosed herein. Particles are organized using a first field of force by selectively energizing electrodes of an array of selectable electrodes having dimensions comparable to or smaller than those of the particles. A first configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes; and then a second configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes, so as to create a second field of force, located substantially close to at least one selected particle to be lysated or to a pair of first and second particles to be fused and such as to produce the application of a stimulus suited to produce their lysis or fusion.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for isolating particles of at least one given type of a sample; the device is designed to be connected to an apparatus through a plurality of electrical connectors and comprises a system of microfluidic channels and a flash memory, which contains information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various components) of the system of microfluidic channels, a map of non-functioning parts of the device, the maximum number of uses and the maximum time of use of the device; the memory has portions allocated for storing the number of times and the time of use of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a first and/or a second target DNA sequence from a DNA library, differing in that a mutation generates/eliminates a restriction site for a restriction endonuclease, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the DNA library, in which each of the DNA sequences comprises a first sequence segment, a second sequence segment of genomic DNA as cleaved by the restriction endonuclease, and a third sequence segment reverse complementary to the union of said first sequence segment and 5? overhang, if any, of the restriction endonuclease; (b) amplifying the library of DNA sequences by PCR using: a first reverse primer which hybridizes to the 3? end region of the second sequence segment of the first or second target sequence positive strand; a second forward primer which hybridizes to the 3? end region of the second sequence segment of the first target sequence antipositive strand; a third forward primer comprising a first portion hybridizing to the 5? end region of the

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection or processing of particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus, in which is produced, by applying the external stimulus, the rupture/lysis of at least one selected particle or the fusion of first and second selected particles, by means of the organization of the particles using a first field of force by selectively energizing electrodes of an array of selectable electrodes having dimensions comparable to or smaller than those of the particles, applying to the electrodes a first configuration of stresses; and by applying to the electrodes a second configuration of stresses, so as to create a second field of force, located substantially close to at least one selected particle to be lysated or to a pair of first and second particles to be fused and such as to produce the application of a stimulus suited to produce their lysis or fusion.

Abstract: A sorting chamber (1) for sorting first particles (25) from second particles (26) comprising: an internal chamber (7), which is delimited by a base wall (2), a top wall (4), and a spacer (6), set between the base wall (2) and the top wall (4); an internal chamber (7), which is at least partially-delimited by the base wall (2) and top wall (4); two passages (8), which set in communication the internal chamber (7) with the external environment; and a plurality of cavities (9), which are designed to house the first particles (25), are made in the base wall (2) and have openings (10) towards the internal chamber (7) with widths of from 4 to 6 ?m.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manipulation and/or control of the position of particles using time-variable fields of force; the fields of force can be of dielectrophoresis (positive or negative), electrophoresis, electrohydrodynamic or electrowetting on dielectric, possessing a set of stable points of equilibrium for the particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing particles in which the particles suspended in a first fluid are introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one first microchamber or first region, in which a second fluid is introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one second region or second microchamber, in such a way as not to mix with the first fluid, and in which at least one field of force acting on the particles is activated in the microchamber(s), to provoke a shift of the particles alone in a predetermined direction and to transfer the same in suspension into the second fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing (for example washing, incubation, etc.

Abstract: The present invention refers to methods and equipment for the optimised selection and isolation, within a respective population, of elements of interest and/or utility for a series of subsequent operations. In particular, the invention concerns a method comprising the phases of: a) identifying, for each particle, at least one of a plurality of characteristic parameters; b) selecting the particles of interest, comparing for each of these the at least one parameter with a respective reference parameter. According to the invention, the method is characterised by the fact that it furthermore comprises the phases of c) storing, for each of said particles, the at least one parameter identified; d) processing the value of a function of said stored parameter, associating the function with a criterion for selection of the particles of interest chosen from a group of possible selection criteria; e) establishing for each particle a threshold criterion to be used as reference parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing (for example washing, incubation, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and equipment for the optimized selection and isolation, within a respective population, of elements of interest and/or utility for a series of subsequent operations, which can include the phases of: a) identifying, for each particle, at least one of a plurality of characteristic parameters; b) selecting the particles of interest, comparing for each of these the at least one parameter with a respective reference parameter; c) storing, for each of the particles, the at least one parameter identified; d) processing the value of a function of the stored parameter, associating the function with a criterion for selection of the particles of interest chosen from a group of possible selection criteria; e) establishing for each particle a threshold criterion to be used as reference parameter, on a time by time basis according to the result of the processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a first and/or a second target DNA sequence from a DNA library, differing in that a mutation generates/eliminates a restriction site for a restriction endonuclease, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the DNA library, in which each of the DNA sequences comprises a first sequence segment, a second sequence segment of genomic DNA as cleaved by the restriction endonuclease, and a third sequence segment reverse complementary to the union of said first sequence segment and 5? overhang, if any, of the restriction endonuclease; (b) amplifying the library of DNA sequences by PCR using: a first reverse primer which hybridises to the 3? end region of the second sequence segment of the first or second target sequence positive strand; a second forward primer which hybridises to the 3? end region of the second sequence segment of the first target sequence antipositive strand; a third forward primer comprising a first portion hybridising to the 5? end region of the

Abstract: A microfluidic system (1) for the isolation of cells (C1) of at least one given type from a sample; the system (1) comprises a separation unit (3), for transferring at least part of the cells (C1) of the given type from a main chamber (4) to a recovery chamber (5) in a substantially selective way with respect to further cells (C2) of the sample; two valves (9, 10) are set upstream and downstream of the main chamber (4); two valves (11, 12) are set upstream and downstream of the recovery chamber (5); a control assembly (23) is designed to govern the aforementioned valves (9, 10, 11, 12); the system (1) proposed enables isolation of the cells with a high degree of reproducibility and precision.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic system comprising a micro-fluidic channel, which has a wall provided with a hole, within which a closing portion of a closing element extends; when the closing portion is arranged within the micro-fluidic channel, the passage of the liquid along the channel is interrupted; by deforming the closing element by suction the closing portion may be lifted and therefore allow the passage of liquid along the micro-fluidic channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing (for example washing, incubation, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of tumoural conditions and/or of the corresponding state of advance, wherein a sample from a patient comprising at least one tumour cell is obtained. According to the invention, a purified specimen of the at least one tumour cell is obtained by individually selecting and isolating single cells in a microfluidic device the purified specimen having a purity of at least 90%. On the purified specimen thus obtained there is subsequently performed a molecular analysis such as to highlight a characteristic thereof suited to enabling diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the characterization and/or the counting of particles by means of non uniform, time variable force fields and integrated optical or impedance meter sensors. The force fields can be of positive or negative dielectrophoresis, electrophoresis or electro-hydrodynamic motions, characterized by a set of stable equilibrium points for the particles (solid, liquid or gaseous); the same method is suitable for the manipulation of droplets (liquid particles) by exploiting effects known to the international scientific community with the name of Electro-wetting on dielectric.