Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus comprising: a membrane, wherein the membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the membrane has a first pore disposed therein, wherein the first pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane, wherein the membrane has a second pore disposed therein, and wherein the second pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane; a first channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the first channel is along a first longitudinal axis; a second channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the second channel is along a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are disposed side by side adjacent to each other; a third channel disposed on the second side of the membrane, wherein the third channel is along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third channel is in first fluid communication with the first channel via the first pore, and wherein the third channel is in second fluid communication with the second channel via the second pore; and one or more sensors disposed at one or more locations to facilitate sequencing of a molecule that extends from the first channel, through the first pore across at least a portion of the third channel, and through the second pore into the second channel. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A DNA sequencing device, and related method, which include an electrode and a plurality of spaced apart alignment structures. The electrode defines an electrode gap, the electrode being operable to detect a change in tunneling current as a DNA strand passes through the electrode gap. The plurality of spaced apart alignment structures are arranged to position nucleotides of the DNA strand in a predetermined orientation as the DNA strand passes through the electrode gap.

A method for stretching a plurality of sample isolates, including: trapping the plurality of sample isolates away from a wall of at least one microfluidic channel of a microfluidic flow system; generating a microfluidic flow to stretch the plurality of trapped sample isolates; determining deformation characteristics of the plurality of stretched samples isolates based on one or more frames from an image processing system; and outputting information corresponding to the deformation characteristics.

An example method for measuring deformability of a cell via a pressure field, consistent with the present disclosure, includes flowing a biologic sample containing a plurality of cells along a first fluidic channel and into an intersection between the first fluidic channel and a second fluidic channel of a microfluidic device. The method includes introducing a pressure field at the intersection and into the first fluidic channel via the second fluidic channel and a plurality of apertures in a channel wall disposed in the intersection. The method further includes measuring deformability of a cell among the plurality of cells responsive to the introduction of the pressure field.

A diagnostic method for a detection of a nuclear deformation based a cellular differentiation includes the following steps: preparing nano/micropatterned surfaces; performing a cell seeding on the nano/micropatterned surfaces; imaging; analyzing nuclear deformations of a single cell and a cell population with an algorithm method.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus and methods of detecting and/or quantifying a target moiety in a sample comprising the use of a nucleic-acid molecule based recapture event. Particularly although not exclusively certain embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus and assays which comprise a displacement of an immobilised nucleic acid molecule to form a target-nucleic acid molecule complex and detection of a subsequent recapture event of either the target-nucleic acid complex or the nucleic acid molecule on its own. Other aspects and embodiments are described herein.

A system and/or method for determining an immune activation state of a subject can include: deforming leukocytes within a microfluidic channel, acquiring a plurality of images of the leukocytes, determining biophysical parameters of the leukocyte, adjusting the biophysical parameters, and determining the immune activation state of the subject based on the biophysical parameters.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for quantifying mechanical properties of a cell containing a nucleus and cytoplasm. The system comprises a microfluidic comprises a varying width configured to deform the cell to multiple deformation levels, an imaging device configured to obtain image data of the cell received by the microfluidic channel and a processor in communication with the imaging device. The processor is configured to receive, from the imaging device, image data of the cell deformed within the microfluidic channel at a first deformation level and a second deformation level different from the first deformation level and to determine, based on the image data, one or more parameters associated with the deformed cell at the first deformation level and the second deformation level.

Among others, the present invention provides micro-devices for detecting or treating a disease, each comprising a first micro sensor for detecting a property of the biological sample at the microscopic level, and an interior wall defining a channel, wherein the micro sensor is located in the interior wall of the micro-device and detects the property of the biological sample in the microscopic level, and the biological sample is transported within the channel.

A microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic network is described. The device comprises a base, a microfluidic channel and a cover, and the base comprises a diaphragm forming at least part of an inner surface of the microfluidic channel. The device finds use in methods for assessing mechanical strain induced in or by cells, such methods also being described.