A detection chip, a method for operating a detection chip, and a reaction system are disclosed. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-cavity defining layer, a hydrophilic layer, and a hydrophobic layer. The micro-cavity defining layer is on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. Each of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers includes a reaction trap, and the reaction trap includes a sidewall and a bottom. The micro-cavity defining layer includes a spacing region between the plurality of micro-reaction chambers, and the spacing region includes a first region adjacent to the sidewall, and a second region non-adjacent to the sidewall. The hydrophilic layer covers the sidewall and the bottom of each of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers, and the hydrophobic layer covers the second region.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide the device and methods for performing an assay that uses the multiplexing of sample thicknesses on the same plate. The sample thickness multiplexing can offer many information that is unavailable in using a single sample thickness.

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.

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.

Methods and apparatus for providing an isolated single cell are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, a test body of liquid is formed on a substrate surface. A contact angle between the test body of liquid and the substrate surface is lower than an equilibrium contact angle. An optical image of the test body of liquid is analysed to determine whether one and only one cell is present in the test body of liquid.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide the device and methods for performing an assay that uses the multiplexing of sample thicknesses on the same plate. The sample thickness multiplexing can offer many information that are unavailable in using a single sample thickness.

Provided are methods and related devices for preparing a cell and tissue culture, including a hanging drop culture. Microwells are specially loaded with cell mixtures using a removable reservoir and forcing cells into the underlying microwells. The removable reservoir is removed and the cells partitioned into the individual microwells and covered by an immiscible layer of fluid. The microwells and immiscible layer is inverted and the cells in the microwells cultured. The microwells may have shape-controlling elements to control the three-dimensional shape of the culture.

Methods and apparatus for controlling flow in a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a 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. A second liquid is in direct contact with the first liquid and covers the microfluidic pattern. A flow of liquid is driven through the elongate conduit into the first reservoir. The microfluidic pattern and the depth and density of the second liquid are such that the first reservoir grows in volume during the flow of liquid into the first reservoir, without either of the size and shape of an area of contact between the first reservoir and the substrate changing, until an upper portion of the first reservoir detaches from a lower portion of the first reservoir due to buoyancy and rises upwards through the second liquid, thereby allowing the first reservoir to continue to receive liquid from the flow of liquid without any change in the size and shape of the area of contact between the first reservoir and the substrate.

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one closed region on a carrier surface of a carrier, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. adding a first fluid comprising at least one cell and/or at least one particle to the carrier surface and b. adding a second fluid, wherein the second fluid is immiscible with the first fluid and at least partially covers the first fluid and c. acquiring at least one item of cell information and/or of at least one item of particle information and d. producing the closed region on the basis of the at least one acquired item of cell information and/or the at least one acquired item of particle information.

The present invention relates to a carrier for bio-related molecule immobilization comprising: a resin substrate; an amino group-containing compound layer formed on the resin substrate; and a polyvalent carboxylic acid layer formed on the amino group-containing compound layer, wherein a carboxyl group of the polyvalent carboxylic acid layer is subjected to active esterification, wherein the resin substrate contains an inorganic pigment, and wherein the resin substrate has a centerline surface average roughness Ra of 60 nm or less.