A valve includes an electrodynamic actuator which has a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic field and a control element movable relative to the magnet arrangement. The control element includes an energizable coil which is arranged in the magnetic field and is firmly coupled to a coil carrier. The control element is movable between at least two defined positions. There are provided permanent-magnetically interacting holding force which retain the control element in at least one of the defined positions, even when the coil is currentless.

The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

A particle sorting apparatus is provided. The particle sorting apparatus includes a first light irradiating unit including a first mirror and a first light source for irradiating a first light to particles flowing through a flow path at a first position; a second light irradiating unit including a second mirror and a second light source configured to irradiate a second light to particles flowing through the flow path at a second position which is different from the first position; a light detecting unit is configured to detect a light emitted from the particles; a sorting unit; and a sorting control unit configured to control sorting of the particles based on data of the particles detected at the light detecting unit and an arrival time associated with a time difference between a light from the first light irradiating unit and a light from the second light irradiating unit; wherein the flow path and the sorting unit are provided within a microchip.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

A low pressure valve assembly comprising: an elastomeric material including at least one cut that forms a deformable portion, a first backing material including an inlet, and a second backing material including an outlet, wherein the elastomeric material is between the first backing material and the second backing material, and wherein the deformable portion is configured to deform at a range of pressures including a pressure of less than or equal to about 1 mmH20.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

A particle sorting apparatus is provided. The particle sorting apparatus includes a first light irradiating unit including a first mirror and a first light source for irradiating a first light to particles flowing through a flow path at a first position; a second light irradiating unit including a second mirror and a second light source configured to irradiate a second light to particles flowing through the flow path at a second position which is different from the first position; a light detecting unit is configured to detect a light emitted from the particles; a sorting unit; and a sorting control unit configured to control sorting of the particles based on data of the particles detected at the light detecting unit and an arrival time associated with a time difference between a light from the first light irradiating unit and a light from the second light irradiating unit; wherein the flow path and the sorting unit are provided within a microchip.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.