The purpose of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid analyzer which prevents an increase in reagent consumption caused by a branched channel structure and on which multiple kinds of substrates having different channel numbers can be mounted. The nucleic acid analyzer according to the present invention is provided with a first substrate that comprises an inlet section connected to an introduction path, a first outlet section connected to a first discharge path, a second outlet section connected to a second discharge path, a first channel guiding a reagent from the inlet section to the first outlet section, a second channel guiding the reagent from the inlet section to the second outlet section, and a branching section branching, from the inlet section, into the first and second channels, wherein the first and second channels are connected to each other exclusively at the branching portion.

A microfluidic valve may include a first portion of a liquid conduit to contain a gas, a second portion of a liquid conduit to contain a liquid, and a constriction between the first portion and the second portion and across which a capillary meniscus is to form between the gas and the liquid. The microfluidic valve may further include a drop jetting device within the second portion to open the valve by breaking the capillary meniscus across the constriction.

Cell-separation systems and methods utilizing cell-specific microbubble tags and ultrasound-based separation are described. The methods are useful for simplification of time-consuming and costly cell purification procedures and real time apoptosis detection.

The present invention is related to a biochip and production method thereof. The biochip comprises a carrier, a cell or tissue culture area deposited on the carrier, and a sensor area deposited on the carrier adjacent and fluidly communicating with the cell or tissue culture area. A containing space is contained in the cell or tissue culture area comprising a simulated vascular channel, a cell or a tissue and a culture medium. At least one sensor fixation area is contained at the sensor area for placing a sensor element. The present invention can be a model for stimulating cancer of specific patient to realtimely reflecting the cancer formation, transferring status and treatment strategies. The biochip could also carry testing drugs to observe how the drugs functioning to the cells/tissue as to provide a more accurate instruction of the drugs. The present invention can perform multiple test just within on chip which can save cost and also provide a more accurate test model for the patient.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

The present disclosure provides materials and methods for co-determining the cellular location and nucleotide sequence of a DNA that is contacted by (or in close proximity to) a protein of interest in a single cell. Thus the present disclosure provides methods and materials wherein the cellular location of the DNA comprising a DNA-binding site or otherwise in close proximity to a protein of interest is coupled to the sequence of said DNA to provide contemporaneous imaging and sequence measurement of a protein-DNA interaction.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides dual-depth thermoplastic microfluidic devices, related kits, microfluidic systems comprising the dual-depth thermoplastic microfluidic device, methods of isolating nucleic acid analytes from a liquid sample, and methods of isolating extracellular vesicles from a liquid sample.

A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.

An example device includes a microfluidic channel and a movable element retained in the microfluidic channel to move from a first position to a second position by fluid flow through the microfluidic channel. The device includes a sensor to take a sensor reading to determine fluid flow through the microfluidic channel. The device includes a microfluidic pump to return the movable element from the second position to the first position. The device includes a controller to actuate the microfluidic pump and to determine a flow rate of the fluid flow through the microfluidic channel based on the sensor reading.

A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.