A detection chip, a using method for the same, and a reaction system. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-cavity defining layer, and a heating electrode. The micro-cavity defining layer is on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is on the first substrate and is closer to the first substrate than the micro-cavity defining layer, and is configured to heat a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The orthographic projection of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate is within the orthographic projection of the heating electrode on the first substrate.

A method and microfluidic device are provided for containing a droplet having an outer surface at a predetermined location. The microfluidic device includes a plate having an upper surface and a central region communicating with the upper surface. The central region is adapted for receiving a droplet of fluid thereon. The central region includes an outer periphery that defines a first fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid on the central region from flowing therepast. A second fluid constraint extends about the first fluid constraint. The second fluid constraint is configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast. A third fluid constraint extends about the second fluid constraint. The third fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast.

A biosensor for single cell analysis is disclosed. The biosensor includes a substrate, an array of electrodes, and a passivation layer. The substrate includes a roughened surface, where the array of electrodes is patterned on the roughened surface. Each electrode includes a distal tip and a proximal end. The passivation layer is deposited on top of the biosensor and includes a microwell around the distal tip of an electrode. A single cell is trapped within the microwell and adhered onto the distal tip of the electrode for further single cell analysis.

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.

The invention discloses a microfluidic device for the culture, selection and/or analysis of sample organisms such as nematodes, as well as for other biological entities such as for instance animal embryos. The device features reservoirs, culture chambers and smart filtering systems allowing for the selection of specific populations/specimens of sample organisms, thus permitting long-term cultures thereof as well as phenotypic/behavioural analyses. Systems and methods for using the microfluidic device are within the present disclosure as well.

A micro-liquid phase reaction method based on a substrate with a hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned surface, including the following: applying a liquid phase system containing a hydrotropic substance and/or an amphipathic substance to a hydrophobic smooth plane in a sample-spotting manner to form an array of tiny droplets, subsequently removing the solvent in each droplet to bond the hydrotropic substance and/or amphipathic substance in each droplet to the hydrophobic smooth plane so as to form an array of hydrophilic bonding points, then moving an aqueous phase system or hydrophilic liquid phase system containing more than one reactants over the hydrophobic smooth plane, thereby forming island-like tiny reaction droplets at each hydrophilic bonding point, and finally under the set reaction conditions, reacting the reactants in each tiny reaction droplet. The method allows a parallel processing system for multiple reactions to be implemented under common experiment conditions, and greatly extends the application range thereof.

A low-cost method is provided for fabricating a nano-droplet plate with surface features having re-entrant (anvil-like) geometries capable of holding droplets of a precise, predetermined volume. Such structures are useful for a variety of applications, including cull culturing, high-throughput screening of therapeutics and as microwells.

Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets, according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. Another aspect of the invention provides the ability to determine droplets, or a component thereof, for example, using fluorescence and/or other optical techniques (e.g., microscopy), or electric sensing techniques such as dielectric sensing.

This disclosure provides a diagnostic system including a detection zone adapted to receive a volume of biological fluid. The detection zone includes a plurality of micro-scale and nano-scale features that render the detection zone superhydrophobic. Analytes (e.g., proteins and/or other molecules) are concentrated when the volume of biological fluid is allowed to evaporate on the detection zone. Concentrating the analytes in the detection zone by evaporation can advantageously increase the sensitivity of detection of the analyte. In various implementations, microfluidic channels can be integrated with the diagnostic system to convey the volume of biological fluid to the detection zone. In various implementations, the microfluidic channels can have a lower hydrophobic characteristic than the surrounding to realize self-driven microfluidic channels that convey the biological fluid to the detection zone without using any external devices.

A a chip and a method for producing the chip with a plurality of measurement regions which are provided with electrodes for electrically detecting reactions in which, in order to reliably separate the individual measurement regions from one another, a monolayer of a fluorosilane is formed on the chip surface which has strongly hydrophobic properties. Therefore, during spotting with a liquid, the drops of liquid applied by spotting can be reliably prevented from coalescing, and thus, causing mixing of the substances in the drops of liquid which are supposed to be immobilized in the measurement regions.