The present invention provides systems, kits, and methods for analyzing cell-cell interactions, such as transmembrane proteins binding to surface displayed variable regions, via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluidics. In certain embodiments, a plurality of first discrete entities and a plurality of second discrete entities are merged on a substrate to generate a plurality of merged fixed entities (e.g., fixed via an electrical force), each of which contains one cell expressing a transmembrane (TM) protein and labeled clonal cells displaying a heterologous antibody variable region. In certain embodiments, any binding of the clonal cells to the TM expressing cell is detected in each merged fixed entity, and the clonal cells found to bind are treated in order to sequence the nucleic acid encoding the variable region.

A system for use in spectral analysis procedures can include a slide and a holder for carrying the slide. The slide includes a substrate forming a plurality of wells that are recessed relative to a surface of the substrate. Each of the wells forms a sample region that is recessed by a sample depth from the surface and a trough region that is recessed by a trough depth from the surface, the trough depth being greater than the sample depth. The holder includes a body defining a cavity between a first side and a second side of the body, a port for receiving the slide into the cavity, one or more first fenestrations on the first side, and one or more second fenestrations on the second side.

An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a metallic sample holder (1), in particular for capturing sample volumes for digital polymerase chain detection. The sample holder (1) comprises an array of indentations (10), wherein each indentation (11) is adapted to capture a maximal sample volume v.sub.max, with v.sub.max=2 nl, in particular with v.sub.max=1 nl, in particular with v.sub.max=0.8 nl. Each indentation (11) of the array (10) has an area cross-section section a, with a 8*10.sup.3 mm.sup.2, in particular with a 5*10.sup.3 mm.sup.2. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the sample holder (1). A third aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus (200), in particular for polymerase chain reaction detection, adapted for receiving the metallic sample holder (1). A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of the sample holder (1) by means of the apparatus (200).

Technology for a biochip pillar structure is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the biochip pillar structure includes: a pillar structure including a plate-shaped first substrate portion, and pillar portions protruding from a surface of the first substrate portion; and a well structure including a plate-shaped second substrate portion, and well portions formed in a surface of the second substrate portion and having a predetermined depth to respectively receive the pillar portions of the pillar structure, wherein the well portions have a diameter within a range of 800 m to 1500 m, and the pillar portions configured to be inserted into the well portions have a diameter of which the ratio to the diameter of the well portions ranges from 0.3 to 0.58, thereby providing a high-density biochip and preventing bubbling in an aqueous liquid contained in the well portions when the pillar portions are inserted.

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a substrate and a post disposed on the substrate. The post can include a plurality of nanotubes and extend substantially vertically from the substrate. The post can have an aspect ratio of a height of the post to a diameter of the post of greater than or equal to 25:1.

This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.

Devices, systems, methods, and kits are disclosed for amplifying small quantities of nucleic acid and identifying the nucleic acid sequences of the amplified nucleic acid products.

There is provided a sample support capable of easily placing a sample into position. The sample support is used such that a sample floating on the surface of water is scooped and held. The sample support has: a first region on which the sample is to be placed; and a second region of higher wettability than the first region.

A sample support has an absorbent membrane layer which is based on a nonwoven polyolefin and which has at least one take-up region with dried blood constituents. It moreover has a film layer based on a plastic, where the film layer has received antistatic pretreatment. The membrane layer and the film layer have been connected to one another mechanically in one subregion of the sample support. but the layers have moreover not been connected to one another mechanically in the take-up region. It is preferable that, when the sample support is placed onto a uniformly level surface the membrane layer covers the film layer at least in the take-up region.