A system for controlling a translocation speed of a molecule through a nanopore may include a fluid chamber containing a solution with a magnetic susceptibility that is different from the magnetic susceptibility of the molecule, a nanopore situated in the fluid chamber, and at least one magnetic component configured to create a magnetic field gradient within the solution to control the translocation speed of a molecule through the nanopore. A system for controlling a translocation speed of a molecule through a nanopore may include a nanopore at least one magnetic component situated to create a magnetic field that causes the molecule to experience a rotational torque as it passes through the nanopore.

A method includes providing a system comprising an electrophoresis cartridge interface that releasably engages with an electrophoresis cartridge that includes an anode, a cathode, and at least one electrophoresis capillary that is in fluid communication with the anode and the cathode. The method further includes receiving the electrophoresis cartridge at said electrophoresis cartridge interface and automatically establishing at least one of (i) optical communication between an optical detection assembly of the system and a portion of the at least one electrophoresis capillary, (ii) electrical communication between the system and the anode and cathode, (iii) fluidic communication between the system and the at least one electrophoresis capillary, (iv) thermal communication between the system and the electrophoresis cartridge or the at least one electrophoresis capillary; (v) electromagnetic communication between the system and the electrophoresis cartridge and (vi) magnetic communication between the system and the electrophoresis cartridge.

A method comprising effecting a change in a shape of a droplet, wherein the droplet is disposed over a substrate in sensing proximity to a sensor and the droplet has a starting surface area exposed to the sensor; and producing an expanded surface area of the droplet in the sensing proximity exposed to the sensor, wherein the expanded surface area exposed to the sensor is greater than the starting surface area exposed to the sensor.

The present invention relates to a multi-microorganism detection system, and more particularly, to a multi-microorganism detection system using a dielectrophoresis force. Provided is a rapid and accurate multi-microorganism detection system. Microorganisms are concentrated at a high throughput using DEP after synthesizing the microorganisms and fluorescent magnetic particles, and when a complex in which the fluorescent magnetic particles are bound to the microorganisms passes through a detection unit by moving only the microorganisms to the detection unit after separating the magnetic particles from the complex (i.e., the microorganisms to which the magnetic particles are bound) using a DEP force, a fluorescence signal of a specific wavelength band is generated according to the type of the fluorescent magnetic particle and the concentration of the microorganisms according to the type of microorganism is measured by measuring and analyzing the fluorescence signal.

Provided herein are methods and systems pertaining to sequencing units of analytes using nanopores. In general, arresting constructs are used to modify an analyte such that the modified analyte pauses in the opening of a nanopore. During such a pause, an ion current level is obtained that corresponds to a unit of the analyte. After altering the modified analyte such that the modified analyte advances through the opening, another arresting construct again pauses the analyte, allowing for a second ion current level to be obtained that represents a second unit of the analyte. This process may be repeated until each unit of the analyte is sequenced. Systems for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Electrophoretic visualization devices for interfacing with a processing unit configured to drive electrowetting on dielectric (EWoD) digital microfluidic devices. The visualization devices allow a user to visualize droplet pathing in the microfluidic workspace as well as implementation of magnetic fields and heat. Using the visualization devices, a researcher can test pathing protocols, magnetic engagement, and heating without using an actual digital microfluidic device or chemical reagents.

Provided herein are methods and systems pertaining to sequencing units of analytes using nanopores. In general, arresting constructs are used to modify an analyte such that the modified analyte pauses in the opening of a nanopore. During such a pause, an ion current level is obtained that corresponds to a unit of the analyte. After altering the modified analyte such that the modified analyte advances through the opening, another arresting construct again pauses the analyte, allowing for a second ion current level to be obtained that represents a second unit of the analyte. This process may be repeated until each unit of the analyte is sequenced. Systems for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Described herein are systems and methods for dispensing a liquid or for manipulating a droplet. In some examples, a method is provided for droplet operation. The method may comprise providing a substrate comprising a discrete location. The method may further comprise providing one or more electrodes disposed adjacent to the discrete location of the substrate and providing a droplet dispenser disposed over the substrate. Next, an electrode of the one or more electrodes may be activated or deactivated. Such activating or deactivating may be synchronized with dispensing the droplet to the discrete location or removal of at least the portion of the droplet from the discrete location.

Methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles by applying an alternating driving field and an alternating field that alters mobility of the particles. The driving field and mobility-varying field are correlated with one another. The methods and apparatus may be used to concentrate DNA or RNA in a medium, for example. Methods and apparatus for extracting particles from one medium into another involve applying an alternating driving field that causes net drift of the particles from the first medium into the second medium but no net drift of the particles in the second medium.

A method comprising effecting a change in a shape of a droplet, wherein the droplet is disposed over a substrate in sensing proximity to a sensor and the droplet has a starting surface area exposed to the sensor; and producing an expanded surface area of the droplet in the sensing proximity exposed to the sensor, wherein the expanded surface area exposed to the sensor is greater than the starting surface area exposed to the sensor.