Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing comprising: a support member and a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to received a test agent therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second well region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional microstructures and methods for making these microstructures, particularly microstructures having integral features less than about 1 mm. Examples of these microstructures include trusses. The microstructures can be prepared from two-dimensional structures having a deformable portion. Thus, by applying a deformation along these deformable portions, e.g. bending, a third-dimension can be created. The deformable portions can comprise thinner dimensions than more rigid portions to allow facile deformation to a predetermined angle or orientation. Electroplating at least a portion of the three-dimensional microstructure with a metal coating allows the formation of integral features in addition to covering any defects formed by the deformation and/or strengthening any thin components. The initial two-dimensional microstructure can be prepared by various patterning methods such as soft lithographic methods.

Abstract: A system is provided for positioning separate portions of a sample in elongate, parallel channels of a sample chamber and for irradiating a sample in the chamber to create a diffraction pattern where the sample and chamber differ in refractive index. The system also can measure absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a sample in the chamber, and can measure the absorption simultaneously with measurement of diffraction by the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of monitoring haptotaxis comprising: providing a device for monitoring haptotaxis having a housing defining a chamber. The chamber includes: a first well region including at least one first well, the first well region configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device; and a channel region with biomolecules immobilized therein and including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising: providing a device for monitoring chemotaxis. The device includes a support member; a top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete assay chamber. The discrete assay chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well being configured to receive a soluble test substance therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well being configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region. Preferably, at least one second well is horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: A device for monitoring leukocyte migration is provided. The invention also provides a method of using the device to monitor leukocyte migration in the presence of physiological shear flow and therefore simulate physiological conditions of a blood vessel in vivo. The invention further provides a method of using the device to high-throughput screen a plurality of test agents. The present invention further provides a flexible assay system and numerous assays that can be used to test biological interactions and systems. Laminar flow gradients are employed that mimic gradient situations present in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion. The present invention further provides a flexible assay system and numerous assays that can be used to test biological interactions and systems. Laminar flow gradients are employed that mimic gradient situations present in vivo.

Abstract: This invention provides device for co-culturing at least two different cell types in a two-dimensional configuration, methods of patterning at least two different cell types in a two-dimensional co-culture configuration, and uses of these devices and methods for analyzing an effect of candidate compound on such cellular cocultures. Also provided is a transmigration and extravasation device. Assay devices for analyzing the absorption, permeability, metabolism and/or toxicity of a candidate compound by a cell are provided. A microfluidic network, which is adaptable for integration with a device for coculturing is provided.

Abstract: A method for applying a pattern to a target surface includes the steps of applying a coating of membrane material over a selected portion of a substrate. The substrate imparts a pattern to the membrane material corresponding to a pattern to be applied to the target surface. A support member is positioned in contact with an outer portion of the membrane material. The support member has a higher rigidity than the membrane material. The method may also combine the steps of curing the membrane material to bond the support member to the membrane. When bonded to the membrane, the support member maintains at least a portion of the membrane in a substantially taut condition to prevent a portion of the membrane from folding onto itself. The membrane is then employed to impart the pattern to the target surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.