Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant-based microcapsules for the efficient encapsulation and retention of water-soluble ingredients, as well as the efficient co-encapsulation of water-soluble and water-insoluble ingredients. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising the microcapsules, a method of making the microcapsules and compositions, and to uses of the microcapsules and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a plant-based protein hydrogel slurry, and to a method for preparing a plant-based structured material (e.g. a film, a casting, a moulding etc.) from the plant-based protein hydrogel slurry.

Abstract: A method of characterizing one or more particles in a fluid, e.g. a liquid, using interferometric scattering optical (iSCAT) microscopy. The method involves illuminating a region of a fluid using an objective lens so that light is scattered by one or more particles in the fluid. The scattered light and reference light are captured using the objective lens and interfere at an imaging device. A succession of images of the interference is processed to determine image correlation values which define a gradual decorrelation over time from which a property of the particle(s) is determined.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices capable of target analyte separation and analysis, in particular highly sensitive separation and detection and free-solution analyte detection assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of proteins involving measurement and characterisation of multidimensional aspects of said proteins.

Abstract: A method of separating and analysing a plurality of components in a heterogeneous sample is provided. The method comprising the steps of: introducing a separation fluid into a separation channel that is elongate in a first direction; introducing the heterogeneous sample into said channel; separating, in the first direction, the components in the sample; introducing an auxiliary fluid into said channel; creating a lateral distribution of the components in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and determining, sequentially, a property of each of the components based on the regimen by which the lateral distribution was created. An apparatus for separating and analysing a plurality of components in a heterogeneous sample is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (11) is provided for separation and analysis of microfluidic samples. The device comprises: a separation channel (10); a first electrolyte channel (12) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use; and provided with a positive electrode (13) at a downstream outlet of the channel; a second electrolyte channel (14) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use, and provided with a negative electrode (15) at a downstream outlet of the channel; and wherein the flow of electrolyte through the first and second electrolyte channels removes electrophoresis products and gas bubbles from the device; and wherein the presence of the electrolyte provides a substantially homogenous electric field across the separation channel.

Abstract: Method of tracking a plurality of objects comprising: focusing an image of the objects on an imaging element using an optical system; capturing the image of the objects using an imaging element comprising a plurality of pixels; measuring at least one characteristic of the objects from the captured image using an image processor; wherein the field of view is set be the widest field of view for which the image processor is able to measure the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A device and method for fluorescent labelling a component is provided. The device comprising a first user-replaceable reservoir comprising a strongly buffered alkaline solution of aromatic ortho-dialdehyde dye, a second user-replaceable reservoir comprising a weakly buffered acidic solution of a reducing agent, one or more fluid pathways comprising the component, and a network of connection channels linking the reservoirs and the fluid pathway to enable the alkaline solution and the acidic solution to combine with the component in order to label the component by reacting the component with the alkaline solution and the acidic solution.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller for introducing fluids into a microfluidic device is provided. The fluid flow controller comprising, at least one high resistance fluid pathway provided between an inlet port and a connection port; at least one low resistance fluid pathway between the inlet and connection port; and at least one valve configured to enable fluid flow through the high resistance fluid pathway, the low resistance fluid pathway or both.

Abstract: A device and a method is provided for profiling particles such as proteins. The device comprises: a liquid chromatography column (16) in a mixture separation module (10); a fractionation device (22, 24) and a plurality of microfluidic analysis modules (26, 28) in a microfluidic network (14). The microfluidic analysis modules are configured to provide multi-dimensional analysis of the particles. Furthermore, a fluidic flow adaptor (20) allows for controlled flow between separator (16) and the microfluidic network to provide a continuous fluid flow.

Abstract: A flow apparatus for detecting a component on a surface is provided. The flow apparatus, comprising an inlet for receiving a solution of the components to be detected; a detection chamber in fluid connection with and downstream from the inlet, and in fluid connection with a downstream outlet, wherein the internal surface of the detection chamber comprises a plurality of detection zones and the detection zones are configured to adhere to the component to be detected such that the component is immobilised in the detection zones; a detector for detecting components immobilised on each of the detection zones; and a director for directing the flow of the solution of the components to each of the detection zones in sequence, wherein the director is provided by flow rates.

Abstract: A method of optically characterizing individual molecules/molecular complexes, or other particles, in solution. The method comprises flowing a solution comprising the molecules/molecular complexes into an imaging region of a microfluidic channel, wherein the imaging region of the microfluidic channel has a first lateral dimension of greater than 1 ?m in an x-direction wherein the x-direction is perpendicular to a direction of the flow; capturing a succession of images of the individual molecules/molecular complexes in the imaging region; tracking movement of the individual molecules/molecular complexes in at least the x-direction in the imaging region using the succession of images; and characterizing the individual molecules/molecular complexes from the tracked movement. In some implementations the characterizing comprises determining a diffusion coefficient of the molecules/molecular complexes from the tracked movement.

Abstract: A method of increasing the interference contrast in interferometric scattering optical microscopy. The method comprises providing a particle detection region comprising a chamber or channel having a boundary defined by one or more interfaces, illuminating a particle in the particle detection region with coherent light using an objective lens such that the light is reflected from the interface and scattered by the particle, capturing the reflected light and the scattered light using the objective lens, and providing the captured reflected and scattered light to an imaging device to image interference between the reflected light and the scattered light. The particle is illuminated by coherent light at an oblique angle to the interface.

Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.

Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid flow in an array of fluid pathways on a microfluidic chip is provided. The device comprising: two or more resistors provided upstream of the chip wherein each upstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at an upstream end of a fluid pathway; two or more resistors provided downstream of the chip wherein each downstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at a downstream end of a fluid pathway, wherein the values of the resistances are selected in order to control a proportion of fluid that flows through each fluid pathway.

Abstract: A single-layer valve is provided. The valve comprises a microfluidic pathway at least partially defined by a flexible membrane which is configured to deform when subjected to an actuation torque, and a discontinuity bounded by a first surface. The length of the discontinuity is constant across the full width of the first surface. The valve is configured such that the actuation torque on the membrane is larger in a first direction than a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A fluidic system is provided. The system comprises: a rigid housing (12), a plurality of flexible reagent containers (14) contained within the housing (12); wherein each reagent container (14) has a connection port (16) through which a reagent can flow, in use, on the application of pressure. The system further comprises a single pressure source (18) configured to apply pressure to the interior of the rigid housing (12); a microfluidic device configured to analyse one or more fluids provided from the plurality of reagent containers; and a plurality of channels (20) configured to transfer fluid from the plurality of reagent containers (14) to the microfluidic device. The ratio of resistances provided by a combination of the connection ports and the plurality of channels dictates the ratio of flow rates of the reagents. The claimed system allows for an accurate control of the various reagent flow rates while minimizing fluctuations in the relative flow rates.

Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.