A pierceable cap 11 may be used for containing sample specimens. The pierceable cap 11 may prevent escape of sample specimens before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 11 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the shell of the pierceable cap 11 may allow passage of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 11. At least one frangible layer 215, 216 may be configured with cross slits 506 in a particular cross slit geometry. The cross slits 506 may contain an openable portion 644 or be covered by a thin membrane 645. The shell 610 and frangible layer(s) 215, 216 may be integrated into a one piece cap 601, or be separate components 634. The membrane on which the cross slits 506 are placed can be flat or contoured to guide the transfer device 43 to the cross slits 506.

Methods and apparatus for long read, label-free, optical nanopore long chain molecule sequencing. In general, the present disclosure describes a novel sequencing technology based on the integration of nanochannels to deliver single long-chain molecules with widely spaced (>wavelength), ˜1-nm aperture “tortuous” nanopores that slow translocation sufficiently to provide massively parallel, single base resolution using optical techniques. A novel, directed self-assembly nanofabrication scheme using simple colloidal nanoparticles is used to form the nanopore arrays atop nanochannels that unfold the long chain molecules. At the surface of the nanoparticle array, strongly localized electromagnetic fields in engineered plasmonic/polaritonic structures allow for single base resolution using optical techniques.

A microporous substrate for detection of surface bound target analyte molecules includes a microporous substrate material having opposed surfaces and tapered micropores extending through the substrate with the micropores having wider openings on one side of the substrate compared to the other side. The micropores have bound therein analyte specific receptors complementary to the target molecules. When a liquid sample containing the target analyte molecules with optical probes attached to the target molecules is flowed through the substrate, they bind to their complementary analyte specific receptors and emit light. This microporous substrate structure gives an increase in the collection efficiency of light emitted from optical probes when the light is detected by a light detector spaced from the side of the microporous substrate facing the larger micropores openings compared to a light collection efficiency of light emitted from the optical probes when the micropores are straight and not tapered.

Systems and methods for coupling photonic integrated subcircuits are described herein. The example system can include a first cartridge (4702) including a first photonic integrated subcircuit (4706) and a first alignment feature (4720, 4722). The system can include a second cartridge (4704) including a second photonic integrated subcircuit (4708) and a second alignment feature (4724, 4726), where the first alignment feature (4720, 4722) and the second alignment feature (4724, 4726) can be configured to enable alignment between the first photonic integrated subcircuit (4706) and the second photonic integrated subcircuit (4708). When the first photonic integrated subcircuit (4706) is aligned to the second photonic integrated subcircuit (4708), a first light path of the first photonic integrated subcircuit (4706) can be optically coupled to a second light path of the second photonic integrated subcircuit (4708).

An apparatus and method for isolating bacterial particles in a sample using a container with material in temporary fluid blocking position to lower orifice in the container, a separation medium having an electrical conductivity lower than and physical density greater than that of the sample above the material that supports a sample concentrate after passing through the separation medium when exposed to centrifugal force, a heating element for liquefying the material to permit flow into a chamber past an electrode array that attracts and holds subject particles. The system allows rapid detection and isolation of particles from samples from animal, human, environmental sites, a bio-industrial reactor or a food or beverage production facility requiring relatively small volumes, short incubation times resulting in structurally intact particles for further analysis. Testing may be completed in a single unit that requires decreased technician manipulation, fewer steps and a decrease in cross-contamination.

A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having at least one inlet port for introducing an input liquid in an internal gap of the cartridge, wherein the gap has at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to provide an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet of input liquid, wherein the input liquid has a carrier liquid and a processing liquid and the gap has a capture zone that is configured to capture at least a part of the processing liquid as a microfluidic droplet by use of electrowetting force and the gap further has a transfer zone that is configured to provide a passage for the carrier liquid next to the microfluidic droplet, while processing liquid is captured in the capture zone.

The present disclosure relates to a lid for a microtiter plate, which has a plurality of cavities arranged on a top of the microtiter plate and serve for receiving samples, wherein the lid is securable on the microtiter plate such that it covers of the microtiter plate. The lid has a basic body, which is embodied such that at least in regions, which are located above the cavities when the lid is on the microtiter plate, it is transmissive for light of predeterminable wavelength, and wherein the lid includes at least one closure element, which is embodied and/or arranged in such a manner that it closes at least one of the cavities in the microtiter plate when the lid is on the microtiter plate.

A microfluidic chip is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the microfluidic chip comprises at least one microfluidic reservoir having a wall portion and a heat transfer sealing layer cooperating with the wall portion for receiving a sample to be tested. The heat transfer sealing layer is arranged to be contiguous with the sample to be tested. The microfluidic chip further comprises an active temperature control device arranged to provide structural support to the heat transfer sealing layer and operable to control a temperature of the sample via transmission of heat through the heat transfer sealing layer. A detection module is also disclosed.

A microfluidic device is disclosed which comprises a main flow channel and a partition chamber connected to a portion of same by a chamber inlet and chamber outlet. The device utilizes select cross sections to advantage capillary effects during filling and partitioning steps to isolate biological or other samples in the partition chamber for analysis and can be employed in a digital array.

A device for performing in situ genetic analyses, conformed so as to be transportable manually by a user, which comprises a casing defining an internal compartment and a plurality of analysis units arranged in the internal compartment, where each analysis unit is configured to perform a respective and independent genetic analysis of at least one sample; each analysis unit comprises a sample holder compartment accessible by the user and adapted to accommodate at least one sample; a command and control unit; at least one sensor selected among an optical, acceleration, temperature, pressure, motion, chemical sensor or a combination thereof, configured to detect a first physical quantity relative to the genetic analysis of the at least one sample and to transduce the first physical quantity into a first signal which is indicative of the state of progress of the genetic analysis, the command and control unit is in signal communication with the at least one sensor for receiving said first signal; the analysis unit further comprises a plurality of instruments, configured to perform the genetic analysis of the sample, comprising an amplification and optical detection device configured to detect at least a second physical quantity relative to the genetic analysis and to transduce the second physical quantity into at least a second signal which is indicative of the outcome of the genetic analysis, the command and control unit is in signal communication with the amplification and optical detection device for receiving said second signal; the device further comprises a processing unit, in signal communication with the command and control unit of each analysis unit for receiving the respective first signals and the respective second signals.