An array including a solid support having a plurality of contours along its exterior surface. A first subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface of the solid support to form a first pattern of features and a second subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface to form a second pattern of features. The contours of the first subset are juxtaposed with the second subset along the exterior surface, whereby the first and second patterns form an interleaved pattern. The features of the first pattern occur at a first elevation z.sub.1 and the features of the second pattern occur at a second elevation z.sub.2. The features of the first pattern are configured to attach analytes at a different elevation relative to analytes attached to the features of the second pattern.

The present invention provides an analyte detection system for detecting target analytes in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a detection system in a rotor or disc format that utilizes a centrifugal force to move the sample through the detection system. Methods of using the rotor detection system to detect analytes in samples, particularly biological samples, and kits comprising the rotor detection system are also disclosed.

A semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane is a microfluidic device that comprises a substantially optically transparent polymer film having a surface area to thickness ratio of at least 1,000,000:1, and an array of precisely spatially ordered pores of a user-selected diameter defined therethrough. Such membranes can be fabricated by providing a mold having a patterned array of nanoholes femtosecond laser ablated in a surface thereof; applying a first polymer solution onto the mold surface so that the first polymer solution infiltrates the nanoholes; allowing the first polymer solution to dry and form a replica of the mold having a plurality of freestanding nanoneedles extending from a surface of the replica; removing the replica from the mold; coating the replica surface with a second polymer solution; drying the second polymer solution to form a porous polymer film; and dissolving the replica in a solvent to release the film from the replica as a semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane. Also disclosed are multi-chambered microfluidic devices for studying cell biology in vitro that incorporate one or more such semipermeable ultrathin polymer membranes.

The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

The assembly includes a docking console and a manifold. The docking console includes a cartridge support surface having a first end and a second end. The manifold has one or more wells defined therein. The docking console further includes a manifold retention bracket to releasably hold the manifold against a fluid cartridge supported on the cartridge support surface at an interface position such that the one or more wells are in fluid communication with the fluid cartridge and a biased seal bar to press the fluid cartridge against the manifold held by the manifold retention bracket. A hydrophilic porous frit disposed within at least one of the wells and is to permit liquid to flow through the outlet aperture but prevent gas from passing through the outlet aperture.

Microfluidic device having a plurality of microfluidic channels and corresponding dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode arrays, each channel arranged to direct fluid over a DEP electrode array such that in use target particles are manipulated by the DEP electrode array. The device also has a first connection point and second connection point for connecting the device to an alternating current source, a first input of each DEP electrode array connected to the first connection point via the first conductor and second input of each DEP electrode array connected to the second connection point via the second conductor. A resistance of the first conductor between the first input of each electrode and the first connection point, and a resistance of the second conductor between the second input of each electrode and the second connection point is substantially at least an order of magnitude less than a total resistance of the connected electrode arrays.

A method for handling, in a microfluidic system, microdrops which include samples, including the steps of forming, in an oil, microdrops of an aqueous solution containing a sample, the oil and/or the aqueous solution containing a sample including a gelling agent; trapping the microdrops by means of surface-tension traps pre-arranged in a trapping area; and at least partially gelling the oil in the trapping area and/or at least partially gelling the trapped microdrops.

An apparatus (100) including multiple biological chips (110,120) includes a substrate (101), a first adhesive layer (134) disposed on the substrate (101), a first biological chip (110) and a second biological chip (120) disposed on the first adhesive layer (134) and attached to the substrate (101) by the adhesive layer (134). The apparatus (100) further includes a filler (130) disposed between the first biological chip (110) and the second biological chip (120). The filler (130) includes a second adhesive layer (135) extending between a side surface (114) of the first biological chip (110) and a side surface (124) of the second biological chip (120), the second adhesive layer (135) attaching the first biological chip (110) to the second biological chip (120). The filler (130) also includes a surface layer (132) disposed over the second adhesive layer (135). The surface layer (132) has a hydrophobic surface that is co-planar with a top surface (111) of the first biological chip (110) and a top surface (121) of the second biological chip (120).

Microarray slide holders for loading multiple microarray slides into a microscope system are disclosed. An apparatus for simultaneous microengraving and imaging of microwell arrays is disclosed. Also disclosed is a liquid run-off tray for simultaneous processing of multiple microarray slides.

A consumable cartridge for a particle sorter system, the consumable cartridge comprising: an inlet for receiving a particle-containing fluid; a microfluidic chip comprising: an input channel in fluidic connection with the inlet; and a particle sorter junction in fluidic connection with the input channel and comprising an output positive channel and an output negative channel; and first and second outlets in fluidic connection with the output positive channel and the output negative channel respectively, for discharging the fluid from the consumable cartridge, such that at least one enclosed fluidic path is provided in the consumable cartridge between the inlet and the first and second outlets.