Compositions and methods are provided for biologically relevant in vitro screening of neural function, including determination of the effects of an agent on neural cells. The compositions of the invention useful in such screening methods include a neural co-culture system comprising human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived neurons and human glial cells, which may be derived by culture methods allowing for rapid and robust development of highly mature neuronal activity, particularly spontaneous synchronous network bursts.

The invention relates to a SERS method for analyzing a biological sample, the method comprising the following step of: a. obtaining a biological sample which is viscous biofluid, b. depositing at least one droplet of the biological sample onto a microscope slide, and drying the droplet, c. depositing a drop of an aqueous dispersion of metallic nanoparticles above the droplet dried in step b), to have a dense distribution of nanoparticles on the surface of the dried droplet and to obtain a SERS-activated biological sample, d. drying the SERS-activated biological sample, e. irradiating the SERS-activated biological sample using a light source to obtain a SERS spectrum, and f. collecting the SERS spectrum.

A sample capture and testing system can include a primary receptacle for receiving a fluid sample, where the primary receptacle has a sensor for label-free detection of an analyte disposed at one side. The primary receptacle can be incorporated in a needle for in vivo capture and testing of a sample. The primary receptacle can be incorporated into a specimen container and used as part of a point of care device.

The present invention provides an analysis kit including a membrane-type surface stress sensor that can obtain a strong electrical signal as compared with a membrane-type surface stress sensor having a binding substance capable of binding to a target immobilized thereon. A target analysis kit of the present invention includes: a first binding substance that binds to a target; and a membrane-type surface stress sensor, wherein the membrane-type surface stress sensor includes: a second binding substance; a membrane; and a sensor substrate, wherein the second binding substance is a substance that binds to a target and is immobilized to the membrane, the membrane is a membrane that deforms upon binding of the target to the second binding substance, the sensor substrate has a support region, the support region supports the membrane and has a piezoresistive element, and the piezoresistive element is an element for detecting deformation of the membrane.

The present disclosure describes a new resin which can be fabricated into conductive and bioactive microstructures via two-photon polymerization. The direct incorporation of conductive poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based blend remarkably enhances the electrical conductivity of microstructures over 10 orders of magnitude. Including biomaterials in the resin can promote cellular adhesion and create functional biosensors made of hybrid non-conductive and conductive structures for sensitive detection. Applications include development cost effective microelectronics in a broad range of biomedical research, electronics and sensors.

A concentration sensor for at least one biological species in the blood includes a support, at least one waveguide, and an optomechanical resonator suspended from the support. The optomechanical resonator is optically coupled to the waveguide, and the optomechanical resonator is configured to vibrate in volume mode and includes at least one face extending in the plane of the sensor and configured to receive molecules of the given species. At least the face includes a functionalisation layer specific to the species, the optomechanical resonator having a smaller dimension in a direction normal to the plane of the sensor compared with the dimensions of the said face.

Provided is a method of preparing composite nanoparticles, which includes: a) preparing a metal nanocore having a nano-star shape from a first reaction solution in which a first metal precursor is mixed with a first buffer solution; b) fixing a Raman reporter in the metal nanocore; and c) forming a metal shell, which surrounds the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, from a second reaction solution in which the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, and a second metal precursor are mixed with a second buffer solution.

A detection apparatus includes: a substrate; a metal nanostructure on a surface of the substrate and on which immobilized antibodies having a property of binding with a detection object substance are immobilized, the metal microstructure generating a surface plasmon by being irradiated with excitation light; an introducer that introduces labeled antibodies having a property of binding with the detection object substance and labeled with a fluorescent material, and a test solution containing the detection object substance into the metal nanostructure; a light source that irradiates the metal nanostructure with the excitation light from the back surface side of the substrate; and a photodetector that detects the detection object substance based on fluorescence generated from the fluorescent material in response to irradiation of the excitation light. The metal nanostructure includes a light transmissive portion that transmits, to the surface side of the substrate, the excitation light emitted from the back surface side thereof.

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a sensor that includes a transduction agent, a plurality of analyte binding agents immobilized on the transduction agent, and a coating agent that forms a coating around at least some of the analyte binding agents. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting one or more analytes in a sample by associating the sample with a sensor of the present disclosure; detecting a signal from the sensor; and correlating the signal to the presence or absence of the one or more analytes in the sample. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the sensors of the present disclosure by immobilizing a plurality of analyte binding agents on a transduction agent; and coating at least some of the analyte binding agents with a coating agent to form a sensor.

Various embodiments of an interconnect device and modules and systems that utilize such interconnect device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the interconnect device can include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a substrate forming a resiliently deflectable element, a conductive material disposed on the substrate, and an electrical contact disposed on the resiliently deflectable element and electrically coupled to the conductive material. The interconnect device can also include a connector that includes a connecting pin configured to electrically couple with the electrical contact of the resiliently deflectable element of the PCB and cause the resiliently deflectable element to deflect when the element contacts the connecting pin.