Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to various articles, systems, and methods for trapping cells, e.g., within a microfluidic device. Some aspects describe microfluidic channels that prevent certain entities such as microbial cells from flowing through the channels, while allowing certain cells (e.g., blood cells) to pass. In one set of embodiments, for example, a sample (e.g., a blood sample) having a plurality of mammalian cells and a plurality of microbial cells is flowed through the microfluidic devices described herein, resulting in retention of the microbial cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods of functionalizing a graphene sensor surface are provided. A representative method of functionalizing the graphene sensor surface includes providing a graphene layer including a sensor surface. The method may include binding a plurality of molecular complexes to the sensor surface of the graphene layer using a buffer solution. Each molecular complex may include a linker molecule configured to couple to the sensor surface at a first linker position, and a binding molecule coupled to the linker molecule at a second linker position different from the first linker position. The representative method further includes coupling one or more detector molecules to a first subset of the molecular complexes and coupling one or more passivation agents to a second subset of the molecular complexes. At least some of the molecular complexes of the first subset are different from those of the second subset.