Abstract: The current invention relates to an improved method for measuring modulating effects of compounds on epithelial cell barrier function. The methods allows for high throughput screening of test compounds individually or in combination. Compounds improving the epithelial barrier function or compounds negatively influencing epithelial barrier function can be analyzed with the method described herein.

Abstract: A method of vascularising a cell aggregate on a microfluidic device, microfluidic cell culture devices comprising perfusable vascular networks and kits and assays using the microfluidic cell culture devices are described. The microfluidic devices comprise one or more capillary pressure barriers allowing for formation of an extracellular matrix gel within a confined area of the network, in which cells can be cultured for different uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the electro extraction of molecules from a moving fluid donor phase into an acceptor phase, comprising the steps of: providing an electrically conductive donor phase moving at a first flow velocity and in electrically conductive contact with a first electrode, providing an electrically conductive acceptor phase in direct contact and immiscible with the donor phase, in electrically conductive contact with a second electrode; and providing a supporting or confining phase guide pattern to keep a defined interface between donor phase and acceptor phase, and (d) applying an electrical field between the first and the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, and methods of use, in particular a method to control the shape of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus in an apparatus in which the meniscus is caused to align along a stable capillary barrier or phaseguide.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic network is described. The device comprises a base, a microfluidic channel and a cover, and the base comprises a diaphragm forming at least part of an inner surface of the microfluidic channel. The device finds use in methods for assessing mechanical strain induced in or by cells, such methods also being described.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume.

Abstract: A device for performing electrical measurements, for example electrical activity across a layer of epithelial cells are disclosed. The device comprises a cassette having first and second surfaces, the cassette configured to engage with a microtiter plate and comprising a plurality of electrodes extending from the first surface in the direction of the microtiter plate when the cassette is engaged with the microtiter plate; and a housing detachably attached to the second surface of the cassette, comprising one or more heat management elements, and a processor comprising a data acquisition module electrically connected to the electrodes and a data processing module. A method of in vitro method for measuring electrical properties of cells cultured in a microfluidic device, for example using the device is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume.

Abstract: A method of vascularising a cell aggregate on a microfluidic device, microfluidic cell culture devices comprising perfusable vascular networks and kits and assays using the microfluidic cell culture devices are described. The microfluidic devices comprise one or more capillary pressure barriers allowing for formation of an extracellular matrix gel within a confined area of the network, in which cells can be cultured for different uses.

Abstract: Microfluidic plate comprising a plurality of microfluidic networks and inlets providing access to the microfluidic networks, wherein each microfluidic network comprises a capillary pressure barrier and extends through a first plane, each inlet is formed by an inlet chamber having a bottom surface, a support structure is provided above each inlet, which support structure defines an opening and comprises at least one support member positioned at the opening such that a circle can be defined in a second plane extending parallel to the first plane, which circle has the largest possible diameter while being completely located within the opening and in contact with the at least one support member, and the support structure is configured such that a first empty space is formed, which first empty space extends from the second plane towards the inlet chamber and has the form of a right circular cone or a truncated right circle cone, wherein the circle forms a base plane of the right circular cone or the truncated righ

Abstract: Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of culturing and/or monitoring epithelial cells using a microfluidic cell culture system comprising a microfluidic channel network. In the method epithelial cells are lined, in the microfluidic cell culture system by cells of mesenchymal origin. The cells may form a tubular or tube-like structure, i.e. a.tube in a tube. The method allows for improved epithelial models suitable for a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to high-throughput screening and analysis of epithelium in health and disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for inducing flow of a fluid in a microfluidic device that comprises at least one microfluidic channel, the apparatus comprising: a base, on which said microfluidic device is pivotally disposed, defining a first position in a first plane (I); and a selectively operable tilting element attached to said base, to pivot the microfluidic device with respect to the base, thereby inducing fluid flow through the at least one microfluidic channel; wherein the base accommodates the microfluidic device in a first position defining a first plane, wherein the tilting element pivots the microfluidic device from the first position to a second position defining a second plane (II), and wherein the microfluidic device is tilted about a pivoting axis bisecting the first plane, thereby defining an inclination angle ? between the first plane and second plane.

Abstract: The current invention relates to an improved method for measuring modulating effects of compounds on epithelial cell barrier function. The methods allows for high throughput screening of test compounds individually or in combination. Compounds improving the epithelial barrier function or compounds negatively influencing epithelial barrier function can be analyzed with the method described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a droplet receiver, comprising a receptacle for receiving a droplet, a fluid conduit connected at a first end thereof to the droplet receptacle thereby providing a course within which the droplet received in the droplet receptacle moves, the conduit at its distal end in communication with a reservoir, and a fluid layer wetting the internal walls of the receptacle and conduit in such a way as permit reception of the droplet without loss of the received droplet due to wetting of the internal receptacle and conduit walls.

Abstract: Microfluidic plate comprising a plurality of microfluidic networks and inlets providing access to the microfluidic networks, wherein each microfluidic network comprises a capillary pressure barrier and extends through a first plane, each inlet is formed by an inlet chamber having a bottom surface, a support structure is provided above each inlet, which support structure defines an opening and comprises at least one support member positioned at the opening such that a circle can be defined in a second plane extending parallel to the first plane, which circle has the largest possible diameter while being completely located within the opening and in contact with the at least one support member, and the support structure is configured such that a first empty space is formed, which first empty space extends from the second plane towards the inlet chamber and has the form of a right circular cone or a truncated right circle cone, wherein the circle forms a base plane of the right circular cone or the truncated righ

Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and an arrangement for selective solvent evaporation from a liquid feed, the feed comprising one or more components diluted in at least a first solvent or a solvent blend, comprising: a) a first tubular vessel having a distal end or a channel suitable for the formation of a droplet of a first volume, at an inflow rate n, at the tip or in the lumen of the tubular vessel, and b) means for subjecting the droplet to a solvent removal step at an evaporation rate r2 to evaporate at least part of the first solvent or solvent blend, to accumulate the components in the feed in the droplet during the evaporation process at an accumulation rate r3, to obtain a concentrated feed volume in a concentrated droplet, wherein the evaporation and/or inflow rates are continuously adjusted to achieve a desired accumulation rate. The invention further relates to a method for selective solvent removal from an analyte mixture obtained in a chromatographic separation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for concentrating, detecting and/or isolating a plurality of charged analytes contained in a sample by depletion zone isotachophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid triggerable passive valve for controlling flow of one or more fluids comprising: a volume comprising at least two capillary pressure barriers for respectively pinning a first and second fluid-fluid meniscus, the two capillary pressure barriers dividing the volume in at least three sub volumes, whereby two sub volumes being positioned upstream and one sub volume being positioned downstream with respect to the advancement direction of each respective fluid-fluid meniscus; wherein the capillary pressure barriers are spaced apart such that upon pinning of a first fluid-fluid meniscus on a first capillary pressure barrier and arrival or pinning of a second fluid-fluid meniscus on or at a second capillary pressure barrier, the two menisci touch and thereby coalesce into one fluid-fluid meniscus.