Methods and devices for testing a biological sample are provided. A tape includes multiple channels or reservoirs having inlet and outlet ports. One tape having biological sample disposed in its channels is temporarily mated with another tape having reagents disposed in its channels via a serpentine belt and compression roller assembly. Pulsed fluidic operations combine the reagents and the biological sample for subsequent observation, detection, storage and/or disposal. Fluidic transfer is provided in a uniform operation or in conjunction with a sensory feedback assembly.

Described herein are nucleic acid-based electrochemical proximity assays (ECPAs) for sample quantification. The invention may also include a biosensor with a sensing mechanism that uses a pair of aptamers or antibodies that bind the target of interest. More specifically, the invention relates to an electrochemical-based read out of a sensing mechanism that uses a nucleic acid-based proximity assay in conjunction with a pair of aptamers or antibodies for sample quantification. The biosensor or a set of biosensors can be used either as a standalone measurement system for a single analyte target or as a component of a multiplexed cartridge for multiple analytes.

Disclosed is an assay for determining resistance in a target cell or tissue to a therapy associated with cellular stress using chemical microscopy and high-throughput single cell analysis to determine functional metabolic alteration, including determining metabolic reprogramming in a target cell or tissue to a therapy associated with cellular stress, and methods of using the assays.

Detection of viral nucleic acids (NAs) and their variants is effected using nanopore technology. If the target wild type viral NA is single-stranded, it is mixed with its complementary NA, and also the unknown viral NA sample to be analyzed, followed by hybridization; while if the target wild type viral NA is double-stranded, it is mixed with the unknown viral NA sample only, then denatured and followed by hybridization. The hybridized products from either case are then subjected to translocation in the form of a translocation analysis, experiment or test through a nanopore device that measures the electrical signals induced through translocation events. The corresponding signal train is characteristic of an individual virus or variant and acts as a “fingerprint” facilitating rapid virus identification and discovery of a new variant.

Cancer treatment using TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) can be customized to each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic (e.g., dielectrophoretic forces, cell membrane capacitance, etc.) of the cancer cells, determining a frequency for the TTFields based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the cancer by applying TTFields to the subject at the determined frequency. In addition, cancer treatment can be planned for each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic of the cancer cells, predicting whether TTFields would be effective to treat the cancer based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the subject by applying TTFields if the prediction indicates that TTFields would be effective.

A sensor performs measurement of a culture medium and is used in a state of being immersed in a medium placed in a well, the sensor comprising a main body having a first surface and a second surface that is on the opposite side from the first surface; an electrode unit that is provided on the first surface in the main body and to which a specific voltage is applied in the course of performing measurement in a state of being immersed in the medium; and a liquid holding portion that is provided around the electrode unit on the first surface, and that is disposed near the inner wall surface of the well and holds the medium up to above the electrode unit, in between the inner wall surfaces.

Systems and methods for assessing a microbial characteristic within a growing medium. Such a system assesses one or more microbial characteristics, such as biomass and/or microbial activity, within a growing medium, such as soil. Electrical properties of a microbially degradable material in contact with the growing medium are measured. The measurements are used to determine the microbial characteristic(s) based at least partly on degradation of the microbially degradable material.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus and systems for single-molecule biosensors having nanowire or nanoribbon bridges between electrodes for sequencing and information storage and reading. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides nanofabrication of biomolecular sensing devices beginning with parallel arrangements of transferable nanowires or nanoribbons, and provides in general methods of manufacturing biosensor devices for sequencing DNA or RNA and analyzing biomolecules.

A system for identifying microbial agents such as virus particles in a sample. The system includes at least one processing unit for identifying in an electron micrograph obtained from the sample a darker region and identifying virus particles within the darker region. The system can optionally include an electron microscope, a sample collector and sample treatment chamber.

A system for identifying microbial agents such as virus particles in a sample. The system includes at least one processing unit for identifying in an electron micrograph obtained from the sample a darker region and identifying virus particles within the darker region. The system can optionally include an electron microscope, a sample collector and sample treatment chamber.