A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.

A technique is presented for aligning, in a desired region within a flow chamber of a flow cell, a non-spherical biological entity carried in a sample. The flow chamber has a rectangular cross-section. A bottom flow input module, a top flow input module and a sample input module provide a viscoelastic first fluid, a second viscoelastic fluid, and the sample, respectively, to the flow chamber. The first and the second viscoelastic fluids laminarly flow along a bottom and a top wall of the flow chamber and the sample laminarly flows sandwiched between them. By controlling rate of flow of the first and/or the second viscoelastic fluids the sample flow, and thus the non-spherical biological entity, is focused in the desired region. A gradient of sheer within the sample flow set up due to the first and second viscoelastic fluids orients the non-spherical biological entity in the desired region.

Provided are integrated analysis devices having features of macroscale and nanoscale dimensions, and devices that have reduced background signals and that reduce quenching of fluorophores disposed within the devices. Related methods of manufacturing these devices and of using these devices are also provided.

A system for stretching a polynucleotide structure includes a first electrode configured to generate an electrostatic force perpendicular to a surface of the first electrode and to apply the electrostatic force to the polynucleotide structure to pin an end region of the polynucleotide structure near the surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode configured to generate an electric force along an axial direction of the polynucleotide structure to stretch the polynucleotide structure along the axial direction of the polynucleotide structure into a fully extended form.

Techniques regarding integrated purification-detection devices for detecting one or more biomarkers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, comprising a housing and a microfluidic chip contained within the housing. The microfluidic chip comprises a separation unit that separates, using one or more nano deterministic lateral displacement (nanoDLD) arrays, target biological entities having a defined size range from other biological entities included in a biological fluid sample. The microfluidic chip further comprises a detection unit that facilitates detecting presence of one or more biomarkers associated with the target biological entities using one or more detection molecules or macromolecules that chemically reacts with the one or more biomarkers.

Devices, systems, and methods for en masse patterning of nucleic acid molecule structures are disclosed. The devices can include microchannels and nanoslits. The microchannels and nanoslits can be connected by parking chambers. The systems and methods can utilize the geometry of the devices in coordination with a voltage application routine to park nucleic acid molecules in the parking chambers and subsequently inject the nucleic acid molecules into the nanoslits. The methods can be utilized to present nucleic acid molecules in a fashion suitable for genomic analysis. The methods can also be utilized to provide size selection of the nucleic acid molecules.

Provided herein are devices and methods for obtaining nucleotide sequence information from nucleic acid and nucleic acid samples. The device includes a microfluidic channel that aids in manipulating a sample as the sample flows through various regions of the channel. The devices and methods are sensitive enough to detect signal from and thus interrogate single nucleic acids on an individual basis rather than as a bulk population.

An apparatus and method for performing analysis and identification of molecules have been presented. In one embodiment, a portable molecule analyzer includes a sample input/output connection to receive a sample, a nanopore-based sequencing chip to perform analysis on the sample substantially in real-time, and an output interface to output result of the analysis.

A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.

The disclosure relates to devices and instruments for detecting and individually analyzing biomolecules, biomolecular complexes and biomolecules with ligands attached thereon.