The disclosure relates to a dielectrophoretic tweezer, and associated methods of fabrication and use. The tweezer comprises a first end and a second end, in which the first end has a lateral dimension of less than 10 microns; a structure, extending in a longitudinal direction between the first and second ends, comprising an electrically insulating barrier defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the structure, in which the first and second chambers are insulated from each other by the electrically insulating barrier; a first electrode in the first chamber at the first end; and a second electrode in the second chamber at the first end, in which a width of the electrically insulating barrier separating the first electrode from the second electrode is 50 nm or less.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes separating an analyte-containing sample via electrophoresis in a capillary. The capillary is loaded with a chemiluminescence agent, such as luminol, that is configured to react with the analyte (e.g., HRP-conjugated proteins) to produce a signal indicative of a concentration and/or quantity of analyte at each location along the length of the capillary. A first image of the capillary containing the analytes and the chemiluminescence agent is captured over a first period of time. A second image of the capillary containing the analytes and the chemiluminescence agent is captured over a second, longer, period of time. A concentration and/or quantity of a first population of analytes at a first location is determined using the first image, and a concentration and/or quantity of a second population of analytes at a second location is determined using the second image.

A membrane for collecting airborne particles, the membrane taking the form of a strip composed of a matrix formed from a mixture of a polymer and of a filler that is made of an electrical conductor, a hydrophilic layer for collecting particles, on which layer is deposited said matrix so as to form at least one composite layer, the membrane including at least one region obtained via a surface treatment of the hydrophilic layer.

Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods.

This disclosure relates to mesofluidic devices and methods for eluting and concentrating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules. The mesofluidic device includes a device frame having a bottom surface upon which is defined a first reservoir and the second reservoir. The first reservoir includes a first electrode, and the second reservoir includes a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are configured for electrical connection. The mesofluidic device includes an elongated channel extending between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The mesofluidic device includes a first slot having a first slot width. The first slot is configured to receive an insert. The first slot intersects the elongated channel. The mesofluidic device includes a second slot having a second slot width. The second slot is configured to receive a separation material having a first porosity. The second slot intersects the elongated channel.

A method for modifying a carbon thermal ionization filament is disclosed. In particular, the method requires a step of reacting a fluorine-containing compound with the carbon thermal ionization filament to provide a fluorinated carbon thermal ionization filament. Such method can result in a fluorinated carbon thermal ionization filament that can be employed in a system, such as a thermal ionization mass spectrometer, for ionizing a sample.

The present invention is about biological tissue refractive index (RI) matching composition and the method for clearing biological tissue. Specifically, the RI matching composition of the present invention shows remarkable RI matching effects when clearing biological tissue, and has excellent fluorescent signal preservation, and can be used for long-term storage of biological tissue since the biological tissue remains clear during in low temperature storage.

Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-Trop-2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragment thereof to isolate, enrich, detect, diagnose and/or characterize circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients with a Trop-2 positive cancer. Preferably, the antibody is an RS7, 162-46.2 or MAB650 antibody. The compositions and methods are of use to detect, diagnose and/or treat metastatic Trop-2.sup.+ cancers, such as breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial, lung, prostate, colon, rectum, stomach, esophageal, bladder, renal, pancreatic, thyroid, epithelial or head-and-neck cancer.

A method for performing contactless ODEP for separation of CTCs is provided with the steps of obtaining patients' blood with rare cell suspected CTCs; adding at least one fluorescent antibody binding to CTCs into the blood; staining the blood; injecting the stained blood with fluorescent dye into an ODEP device and then performing fluorescent image identification; trapping the CTCs with at least one fluorescent antibody in the ODEP device by creating an image pattern and then generating an ODEP force; Separating the trapped CTCs from other non-CTCs cells; absorbing the trapped CTCs; and obtaining a high purity of CTCs. An apparatus for performing contactless ODEP for separation of CTCs is also provided.

Devices, systems, and methods for charging fluids are disclosed. The charging of fluids improves the mixing of fluids in microfluidic systems. The charging is performed by producing an ion field between an ionizing electrode and an opposed ground electrode. A fluid-containing vessel is positioned between the opposed electrodes and the ion field charges the fluid in the vessel.