A method and system for improving throughput of a fluidic system such as a biopolymer analysis system by cleaning accumulated or clogging biopolymer from the fluidic system is disclosed. The method and system utilize a light energy source to photocleave the biopolymer molecules that may accumulate or aggregate in the fluidic system or clog a passageway. The accumulated biopolymer may be exposed to a light energy source for a sufficient period of time such that the biopolymer molecule is dosed with sufficient energy to photocleave the biopolymer molecules, thereby restoring the efficiency of and flow through the system.

A biochip substrate which is free from cross-contamination due to spot spreading or contact with spots adjacent to each other, and a biochip using the same. A biochip substrate on which multiple valleys for immobilizing biological substances are formed so as to prevent cross-contamination due to spot spreading or contact with spots adjacent to each other, and a biochip using the same are provided. Moreover, it is found out that a desired binding in a target molecule contained in a test sample occurs at a detectable level in a solution system even in the case where a valley have such a small capacity as 1 nL to 10 nL.

A device for passing a biopolymer molecule includes a nanochannel formed between a surface relief structure, a patterned layer forming sidewalls of the nanochannel and a sealing layer formed over the patterned layer to encapsulate the nanochannel. The surface relief structure includes a three-dimensionally rounded surface that reduces a channel dimension of the nanochannel at a portion of nanochannel and gradually increases the dimension along the nanochannel toward an opening position, which is configured to receive a biopolymer.

This disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for quickly, efficiently and continuously fractionating biomolecules, such as DNAs and proteins based on size and other factors, while allowing imaging of the separated biomolecules as they are processed within the apparatus. The apparatus employs angled nanochannels to first preconcentrate and then separate like molecules. Its embodiments offer improved detection sensitivity and separation resolution over existing technologies and multiplexing capabilities.

Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of ion migration and binding, utilizing a nanopipette adapted for use in an electrochemical sensing circuit. The nanopipette may be functionalized on its interior bore with metal chelators for binding and sensing metal ions or other specific binding molecules such as boronic acid for binding and sensing glucose. Such a functionalized nanopipette is comprised in an electrical sensor that detects when the nanopipette selectively and reversibly binds ions or small molecules. Also disclosed is a nanoreactor, comprising a nanopipette, for controlling precipitation in aqueous solutions by voltage-directed ion migration, wherein ions may be directed out of the interior bore by a repulsing charge in the bore.

The present invention provides a microfluidic purification chip for capturing a biomarker from a physiological solution. The present invention also provides a method of capturing and releasing a biomarker, wherein the biomarker is originally in a physiological solution. The present invention further provides a method of pre-purifying and measuring the concentration of a biomarker in a physiological solution.

Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include a non-closed shape that may encode information, allow for bubbles to escape during manufacture, and provide additional advantages over closed shape fiducials.

The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to nanochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing tumor infiltrating cells engineered to express a pro-inflammatory polypeptide. The pro-inflammatory polypeptide is expressed from the tumor infiltrating cell to counter a generally immunosuppressive state in and around tumors resulting from an imbalance between the number and activation state of immune effector cells versus those of suppressor cells. Delivering the proinflammatory polypeptide via expression from the TICs, as distinct from systemic administration, reduces side effects from increased inflammation at sides remote from a tumor to be treated.

A microfluidic device includes a platform with a microstructure. The microstructure include a primary channel and a plurality of chambers that open to the primary channel to enable a sample fluid that is loaded into the device via the primary channel to flow into the chambers. Each chamber has a volume that is less than tens of nanoliters and is connected by a vent to a secondary channel of the microstructure. A width of the vent is configured to enable a gas to escape from the chamber to the secondary channel while inhibiting flow of the sample fluid from the chamber into the secondary channel.