The present invention is directed towards a microfluidic device comprising a first compartment comprising an inlet that is connectable to a fluidic control unit and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are connected by a micrometer channel so as to allow fluid communication between the two compartments. The device also comprises an air-lock element in fluid communication with the second compartment and the air-lock element is configured so that in use the internal atmosphere of the device is sealed from the external atmosphere and so that when fluid is introduced or withdrawn from the first compartment via the inlet the air-lock element maintains an overall constant pressure within the device.

The present invention is also directed towards a method of manufacturing the microfluidic device, a kit-of-parts comprising the microfluidic device and a method of using the microfluidic device for accommodating, growing, culturing, isolating, treating and/or processing cells.

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

The invention concerns a filtration assembly (1) for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly (1) comprises a ring-like membrane support (10) holding a filtration membrane (11), a cylindrical reservoir (20) of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on one axial side of the membrane support (10); and a drain member (30) removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a drain channel space adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on an opposite axial side of the membrane support (10).

A microbiological testing device for testing a liquid to be analysed that is liable to contain at least one microorganism, includes a closed inner space, a microbiological filtration member and an inlet port. The device has a nutritive layer in contact with the filtration member, and in that, in a configuration for providing the device an open/close member of the inlet port is in a closed state; the absolute gas pressure inside the closed inner space is strictly less than the standard atmospheric pressure, such that the device is able to create suction through the inlet port during a first opening of the open/close member.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers demonstrating sufficient accuracy and specificity for identifying kidney injuries. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of continuous monitoring for kidney injury.

Techniques regarding one or more structures that can facilitate automated, multi-stage processing of one or more nanofluidic chips are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a system, which can comprise a roller positioned adjacent to a microfluidic card comprising a plurality of fluid reservoirs in fluid communication with a plurality of nanofluidic chips. An arrangement of the plurality of nanofluidic chips on the microfluidic card can defines a processing sequence driven by a translocation of the roller across the microfluidic card.

Provided is a reagent cooler that prevents occurrence of condensation and further uniforms a temperature in the cooler with low power consumption and a simple structure. The reagent cooler includes a refrigerant pipe that is disposed inside an outer wall of the reagent cooler 103 and circulates a refrigerant inside the outer wall; a blowing pipe 109 that is disposed inside the outer wall and guides outside air existing outside the reagent cooler to inside of the reagent cooler; and a blowing unit 114 that is disposed at the blowing pipe and diffuses the outside air into the inside of the reagent cooler through the blowing pipe. With the outside air cooled by the outer wall and taken into the inside of the reagent cooler, the reagent cooler is positively pressurized and the internal temperature is made uniform.

Provided herein are methods for processing and/or detecting a sample. A method can comprise providing a barrier between a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the sample, wherein the barrier maintains the first region at a first atmosphere that is different than a second atmosphere of the second region, wherein a portion of the barrier comprises a fluid in coherent motion; and using a detector at least partially contained in the first region to detect one or more signals from the sample while the first region is maintained at the first atmosphere that is different than the second atmosphere of the second region. The portion of the barrier comprising fluid may have a pressure lower than the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere, or both.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.

A sampling apparatus can have an elongate tube and a liquid partitioning unit, first port can receive an incoming flow of test liquid and a second port may be coupled to the elongate tube. The liquid partitioning unit can combine the flow of test liquid with a plurality of partitioning elements to define a plurality of discrete liquid samples for movement along and storage in the elongate tube.