Methods and apparatus for driving flow in a microfluidic arrangement are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, the microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the elongate conduit defines a conduit footprint. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the first reservoir defines a first reservoir footprint. The size and shape of each of the conduit footprint and the first reservoir footprint are such that a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the elongate conduit without any change in the conduit footprint is higher than a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the first reservoir without any change in the first reservoir footprint. A delivery member having an internal lumen leading to a distal opening through which liquid can be delivered is provided. Liquid is pumped into the microfluidic pattern through the distal opening while the distal opening is held in a delivery position. The delivery position is such that the liquid enters the microfluidic pattern via the elongate conduit and drives a flow of liquid into the first reservoir.

A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 μm or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

A sample-reagent mixture is thermal cycled through a plurality of cycles. Each thermal cycle includes actuating a heater to heat the sample-reagent mixtures; and dispensing a fluid onto the sample-reagent mixture to cool the sample reagent mixture.

Provided herein are methods and systems for biochemical analysis, including compositions and methods for processing and analysis of small cell populations and biological samples (e.g., a robotically controlled chip-based nanodroplet platform). In particular aspects, the methods described herein can reduce total processing volumes from conventional volumes to nanoliter volumes within a single reactor vessel (e.g., within a single droplet reactor) while minimizing losses, such as due to sample evaporation.

A device and a method for isolating a target from a biological sample are provided. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes a lower plate with an upper surface having a plurality of regions. The biological sample is receivable on a first of the regions. An upper plate has a lower surface directed to the upper surface of the lower plate. A force is positioned adjacent the upper plate and attracts the target bound solid phase substrate toward the lower surface of the upper plate. At least one of the upper plate and the lower plate is movable from a first position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate in the biological sample are drawn to the lower surface of the upper plate and a second position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are isolated from the biological sample.

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.

A device and a method for isolating a target from a sample are provided. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form a target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes a first plate having a first region for receiving at least a portion of the sample. A second plate is spaced from the first plate by a distance and has a first region for receiving a reagent. A force attracts the target bound solid phase substrate toward the first region of the second plate such that the target bound solid phase substrate in the portion of the sample are drawn through the air gap and into the reagent by the force.

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.

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.

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.