A cartridge assembly, and method of using the same, is provided. The assembly includes a sample processing card and a substrate attached thereto. The card has an injection port for receiving a test sample; at least one metering chamber; a mixing material source for introducing mixing material(s) to the metering chamber; fluid communication channels fluidly connecting the injection port and the mixing material source to the metering chamber; and at least one output port for delivering the test sample to a sensor (e.g., GMR sensor). The substrate has associated therewith: the sensor for sensing analytes in the test sample; electrical contact portions for an electrical connection with a reader unit; and a memory chip. The assembly further includes a pneumatic interface with port(s) and corresponding communication channel(s) fluidly connected to card. The interface connects with an off-board pneumatic system and enables application of positive and negative pressurized fluid to the card to move the test sample and one or more mixing materials therein and to the sensor.

A microfluidic device and a biological detection method using the microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device includes a sample mixing area, an optical indicator mixing area and an observation area. The sample mixing area stores barcode beads and configured to receive a test sample to mix the barcode beads with the test sample, in which the barcode beads correspond to different detecting targets. The optical indicator mixing area is configured to receive an optical indicator and the barcode beads to mix the barcode beads with the optical indicator. The observation area is configured to receive the barcode beads from the optical indicator mixing area. In the biological detection method, at first, images of the barcode beads are captured. Thereafter, images of reacted barcode beads are determined, and values of barcode patterns thereof are recognized to determine reacting targets of the test sample.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing or determining a pancreatic cancer-associated disease state comprising or consisting of the steps of: (a) providing a sample from an individual to be tested; and (b) determining a biomarker signature of the test sample by measuring the presence and/or amount in the test sample of one or more biomarker selected from the group defined in Table A; wherein the presence and/or amount in the test sample of the one or more biomarker selected from the group defined in Table A is indicative of the pancreatic cancer-associated disease in the individual; uses and methods of determining a pancreatic cancer-associated disease state, and methods of treating pancreatic cancer, together with arrays and kits for use in the same.

Embodiments described herein may be useful in the detection of analytes. The systems and methods may allow for a relatively simple and rapid way for detecting analytes such as chemical and/or biological analytes and may be useful in numerous applications including sensing, food manufacturing, medical diagnostics, performance materials, dynamic lenses, water monitoring, environmental monitoring, detection of proteins, detection of DNA, among other applications. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be used for determining the presence of a contaminant such as bacteria (e.g., detecting pathogenic bacteria in food and water samples which helps to prevent widespread infection, illness, and even death). Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may not have the drawbacks in current detection technologies including, for example, relatively high costs, long enrichment steps and analysis times, and/or the need for extensive user training. Another advantageous feature provided by the systems and methods described herein includes fabrication in a relatively large scale. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may be used in conjunction with a detector including handheld detectors incorporated with, for example, smartphones (e.g., for the on-site detection of analytes such as pathogenic bacteria).

Methods and devices for enriching a target biomarker from a bodily fluid of a subject are provided. A risk profile for the subject is used to predict that a target biomarker is present in the bodily fluid. The bodily fluid is contacted with a set of immuno-affinity inserts coated with affinity molecules specific for the target biomarker under conditions for the affinity molecules to bind the target biomarker. The affinity molecules bound to the target biomarker are separated from the bodily fluid.

This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating mammals (e.g., humans) having, or suspected of having, cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal as having cancer are provided. For example, microfluidic devices that can be used to detect one or more target polypeptides (e.g., cancer-specific polypeptides) in a fluid sample obtained from a mammal (e.g., a mammal suspected of having cancer) are provided.

The present invention provides system and methods for detecting an analyte indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid. The present invention also provides for systems and method for detection a plurality of analytes, at least two of which are indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid.

We describe apparatuses, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of liquid samples in a clinical point of care setting.

Described herein is a microfluidic assay device that mimics in vitro the in vivo biological environment, supporting endothelization, allowing for perfusive flow similar to in vivo blood flow conditions, and providing for realistic interactions between T-cells and solid tumor cells, such as glioblastoma multiforme tumor cells. Also described herein are methods of using this microfluidic assay device for the study of interactions of immune cells with tumor cells, such as glioblastoma multiforme tumor cells, and the development of improved immunotherapeutic approaches against cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.