Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating free-standing polymeric nanopillars or nanotubes with remarkably high aspect ratios. The nanopillars and nanotubes may be used, for example, in integrated microfluidic systems for rapid, automated, high-capacity analysis or separation of complex protein mixtures or their enzyme digest products. One embodiment, preferably fabricated entirely from polymer substrates, comprises a cell lysis unit; a solid-phase extraction unit with free-standing, polymeric nanostructures; a multi-dimensional electrophoretic separation unit with high peak capacity; a solid-phase nanoreactor for the proteolytic digestion of isolated proteins; and a chromatographic unit for the separation of peptide fragments from the digestion of proteins.

Abstract: Methods and fluorescent probes that detect the presence of diseased cells such as cancer. The fluorescent probes are cloaked, turn-on probes having the fluorescence reporter released only in the presence of enzymes typically over-expressed in diseased and cancerous tissue. Probes include a fluorescent napthalimide reporter with a quinoidal moiety cloak.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct photochemical modification and micro-patterning of polymer surfaces, without the need to use a photoresist. For example, micropatterns of various functional chemical groups, biomolecules, and metal films have been deposited on poly(carbonate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces. These patterns may be used, for example, in integrated electronics, capture elements, or sensing elements in micro-fluidic channels.

Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides lipid compounds for delivering therapeutic amounts of active agents in response to enzymatic activities of cancer tissues. Lipid compositions may include one or more drugs, or a biologically-active agent, encapsulated within liposomes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating free-standing polymeric nanopillars or nanotubes with remarkably high aspect ratios. The nanopillars and nanotubes may be used, for example, in integrated microfluidic systems for rapid, automated, high-capacity analysis or separation of complex protein mixtures or their enzyme digest products. One embodiment, preferably fabricated entirely from polymer substrates, comprises a cell lysis unit; a solid-phase extraction unit with free-standing, polymeric nanostructures; a multi-dimensional electrophoretic separation unit with high peak capacity; a solid-phase nanoreactor for the proteolytic digestion of isolated proteins; and a chromatographic unit for the separation of peptide fragments from the digestion of proteins.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct photochemical modification and micro-patterning of polymer surfaces, without the need to use a photoresist. For example, micropatterns of various functional chemical groups, biomolecules, and metal films have been deposited on poly(carbonate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces. These patterns may be used, for example, in integrated electronics, capture elements, or sensing elements in micro-fluidic channels.