Abstract: A method includes locating a droplet disposed in a trap in a flow channel of a microfluidic device. The droplet is stabilized by a photo-responsive fluorosurfactant (e.g., based on plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs)). The method also includes illuminating the photo-responsive fluorosurfactant on the droplet to generate sufficient heat to cause bubble formation within the trap to release the droplet from the trap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining endonuclease activity in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining viable pathogenic bacteria in a sample based on patterns of endonuclease activity.

Abstract: Fluorinated metal nanoparticles (f-MNPs) are metal nanoparticles and/or semiconductor nanoparticles having a plurality of fluorinated alkyl ligands attached to the surfaces of the nanoparticles where the f-MNPs are greater than 20 nm in cross-section. The f-MNPs can be used as a surfactant to form active f-MNPs stabilized aqueous droplet, which can be used in a light-mediated microfluidic device where droplet movement, merging, splitting, and sorting can be carried out as directed by one or more laser beams focused onto one or more spots of light-mediated microfluidic device.

Abstract: A module of microfluidic device used for applying shear stress to cells (501) in order to deliver payloads (502) to the cells (501). The module includes cross junction modules (105), serpentine modules and squeezing-relaxing modules (1101). The devices and related methods result in increased payload (502) delivery and reduced loss in cell (501) viability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining endonuclease activity in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining viable pathogenic bacteria in a sample based on patterns of endonuclease activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying a microorganism that expresses a nucleic acid-modifying enzyme, in sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting a nucleic acid substrate targeted by the nucleic acid-modifying enzyme with the sample; (b) adding a further nucleic acid molecule to the sample which nucleic acid molecule is ligated to the nucleic acid substrate in the presence of the nucleic acid-modifying enzyme to form a ligation product which comprises a linear single strand of nucleic acid that is capable of being detected; and (c) detecting the presence of the ligation product.

Abstract: Methods for the identification of microorganisms or infectious disorders are disclosed, comprising obtaining a suitable sample from sources such as persons, animals, plants, food, water or soil. The methods also comprise providing tailored nucleic acid substrate(s) designed to react with a type 1 topoisomerase from one or more microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s), and incubating said substrate with said sample, or extracts or preparations from the sample, so that the substrate is processed by said topoisomerase if said microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s) is present in the sample. Microfluidic-implemented methods of detecting an enzyme, in particular a DNA-modifying enzyme, are also provided, as well as methods for detecting a cell, or a microorganism expressing said enzyme. The enzyme is detected by providing a nucleic acid substrate, which is specifically targeted by that enzyme.

Abstract: Microfluidic-implemented methods of detecting an enzyme, in particular a DNA-modifying enzyme, are provided, as well as methods for detecting a cell, or a microorganism expressing said enzyme. The enzyme is detected by providing a nucleic acid substrate, which is specifically targeted by that enzyme.

Abstract: A cable and a signal transmission line applied to Universal Serial Bus (USB) are provided. The cable includes a host connector, a device connector and the signal transmission line. The host connector is selectively electrically coupled to a host. The device connector is selectively electrically coupled to a device. The signal transmission line is electrically coupled between the host connector and the device connector. The signal transmission line includes multiple high speed wires, multiple super speed wires, a power wire, a ground wire and an external conductive layer. The high speed wires, the super speed wires, the power wire and the ground wire form a bundle, and the external conductive layer envelops the bundle.

Abstract: Methods for the identification of microorganisms or infectious disorders are disclosed, comprising obtaining a suitable sample from sources such as persons, animals, plants, food, water or soil. The methods also comprise providing tailored nucleic acid substrate(s) designed to react with a type 1 topoisomerase from one or more microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s), and incubating said substrate with said sample, or extracts or preparations from the sample, so that the substrate is processed by said topoisomerase if said microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s) is present in the sample. Microfluidic-implemented methods of detecting an enzyme, in particular a DNA-modifying enzyme, are also provided, as well as methods for detecting a cell, or a microorganism expressing said enzyme. The enzyme is detected by providing a nucleic acid substrate, which is specifically targeted by that enzyme.