Abstract: A microfluidic-based device and system is disclosed for the high-throughput intracellular delivery of biomolecular cargo to cells (eukaryotic or prokaryotic) or enveloped viruses. Cargo integration occurs due to transient membrane permeabilization by exposure to bulk acoustic waves (BAWs) transduced from surface acoustic waves (SAWs) generated by a rapidly oscillating piezoelectric substrate. In this approach, temporary pores are established across the cellular membrane as cells are partially deformed and squeezed or subject to shearing forces as they travel through the vibrational modes created within the microfludic channel(s) of the device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is disclosed that is used to process cells for the intracellular delivery of molecules or other cargo. The device includes one or more microchannels disposed in a substrate or chip and is fluidically coupled to an inlet configured to receive a solution containing the cells and the molecules or other cargo to be delivered intracellularly to the cells. Each of the one or more microchannels has one or more constriction regions formed therein, wherein the inner surface(s) of the microchannels and the one or more constriction regions have a lipid bilayer disposed thereon. In some embodiments, multiple microfluidic devices operating in parallel are used to process large numbers of cells. The device and method have particularly applicability to delivering gene-editing molecules intracellularly to cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that utilize metal nanostructures that are synthesized in situ along the internal surfaces of a microfluidic device. The nanostructures are formed by initial deposition of metallic seeds followed by flowing growth and reducing agent solutions into the capillaries/microfluidic channels to grow the nanostars. The nanostructures may optionally be functionalized with a capture ligand. The capture ligand may be used to selectively bind to certain cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). The cells may be removed by a beam of light (e.g., laser beam) that induces localized heating at the surface location(s) containing the nanostructures. The plasmonic nature of the nanostructures can be used to heat the nanostructure(s) locally for the selective removal of one or certain cells. The nanostructures may be used to acquire Raman spectra of molecules or other small objects that are bound thereto for identification and quantification.

Abstract: A robust and general fabrication/manufacturing method is described herein for the fabrication of periodic three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanostructures in a highly scalable and tunable manner. This nanofabrication technique exploits the selected and repeated etching of spherical particles that serve as resist material and that can be shaped in parallel for each processing step. The method enables the fabrication of periodic, vertically aligned nanotubes at the wafer scale with nanometer-scale control in three dimensions including outer/inner diameters, heights/hole-depths, and pitches. The method was utilized to construct 3D periodic hierarchical hybrid silicon and hybrid nanostructures such as multi-level solid/hollow nanotowers where the height and diameter of each level of each structure can be configured precisely as well as 3D concentric plasmonic supported metal nanodisk/nanorings with tunable optical properties on a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A method of transporting biomolecular cargo intracellularly into cells includes the operations of providing magnetic nanostructures (e.g., nanospears, nanostars, nanorods, and other nanometer-sized structures) carrying the biomolecular cargo thereon and applying an external magnetic field to move the magnetic nanostructures into physical contact with at least some of the cells (or the cells into the magnetic nanostructures). The magnetic nanostructures move into physical contact with a single cell, a subset of cells, or all cells. The external magnetic field may be applied by a moving permanent magnet although an electromagnetic may also be used. The biomolecular cargo may include a molecule, a plurality of molecules, or higher order biological constructs.

Abstract: A robust and general fabrication/manufacturing method is described herein for the fabrication of periodic three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanostructures in a highly scalable and tunable manner. This nanofabrication technique exploits the selected and repeated etching of spherical particles that serve as resist material and that can be shaped in parallel for each processing step. The method enables the fabrication of periodic, vertically aligned nanotubes at the wafer scale with nanometer-scale control in three dimensions including outer/inner diameters, heights/hole-depths, and pitches. The method was utilized to construct 3D periodic hierarchical hybrid silicon and hybrid nanostructures such as multi-level solid/hollow nanotowers where the height and diameter of each level of each structure can be configured precisely as well as 3D concentric plasmonic supported metal nanodisk/nanorings with tunable optical properties on a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A microfluidic-based device and system is disclosed for the high-throughput intracellular delivery of biomolecular cargo to cells (eukaryotic or prokaryotic) or enveloped viruses. Cargo integration occurs due to transient membrane permeabilization by exposure to bulk acoustic waves (BAWs) transduced from surface acoustic waves (SAWs) generated by a rapidly oscillating piezoelectric substrate. In this approach, temporary pores are established across the cellular membrane as cells are partially deformed and squeezed or subject to shearing forces as they travel through the vibrational modes created within the microfludic channel(s) of the device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically determining interchange fees. In an embodiment, an acquirer computer transmits a payment card account authorization request to a payment processing network, and receives an authorization response authorizing the transaction and comprising a spending history indication reflecting a compilation of spending history data of a group of payment card accounts that qualify for dynamic interchange rate setting.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for processing cells for the intracellular delivery of molecules or other cargo includes a plurality of microchannels disposed in a substrate or chip and fluidically coupled to an inlet configured to receive a solution containing the cells and the molecules or other cargo to be delivered intracellularly to the cells. Each of the plurality of microchannels has one or more constriction regions therein, wherein the constriction regions comprise an omniphobic, superhydrophilic, or superhydrophobic surface. In some embodiments, multiple microfluidic devices operating in parallel are used to process large numbers of cells. The device and method has particularly applicability to delivering gene-editing molecules intracellularly to cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically determining interchange fees. In an embodiment, an acquirer computer transmits a payment card account authorization request to a payment processing network, and receives an authorization response authorizing the transaction and comprising a spending history indication reflecting a compilation of spending history data of a group of payment card accounts that qualify for dynamic interchange rate setting.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for determining an interchange tier to apply to individual payment card accounts. In an embodiment, a payment card system operator computer establishes scoring rules and at least two interchange tiers to associate with payment card accounts, transmits the scoring rules to at least one issuer, receives payment card account data, and scores each of the plurality of individual payment card accounts, and scores each of the payment card accounts according to the scoring rules. The process also includes assigning an interchange tier to each of the plurality of individual payment card accounts in accordance with the scoring, and storing information indicating the interchange tier associated with each of the plurality of individual payment card accounts for use during purchase transactions in a tier and scoring database.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code, and means for processing transactions are provided which include receiving transaction data associated with a payment transaction, said transaction data including a payment account identifier, the payment account identifier identifying a payment account, determining a value score associated with the payment account identifier, determining, based on the value score, an interchange tier associated with the payment account identifier, and providing an indication of the interchange tier to a clearing and settlement process involving the payment account identifier.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transaction data associated with a payment transaction. The transaction data includes a payment account identifier. The payment account identifier identifies a payment account. The method further includes obtaining a spending history associated with the payment account identified by the payment account identifier. The spending history reflects a total amount of spending transactions charged to the payment account during a period of time. The method also includes providing an indication of the spending history to an acquirer.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel or a receptor tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities. Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a receptor tyrosine kinase.