An apparatus (150) comprises a first detection chamber (130) for receiving microorganisms and configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the first detection chamber (130); a medium (120) configured to permit passage of microorganisms from a sample (110) through the medium (120) into the first detection chamber (130); and at least one second detection chamber (140) configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the at least one second detection chamber (140).

In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to provide improved or altered performance with biomaterials.

An apparatus for microfiltration and a scalable method for manufacture of an inertial microfluidic device for such microfiltration apparatus are provided. The apparatus for microfiltration includes one or more inertial microfluidic devices, each including a plurality of spirals of a microfluidic channel. At least one of the inertial microfluidic devices is configured to utilize outer wall focusing for high volume fraction microfiltration of particles. In an embodiment, multiple inertial microfluidic devices are connected in sequence for combined inner wall and outer wall focusing. The scalable method for manufacture of the inertial microfluidic device includes micromachining on a polycarbonate-based substrate a rectangular spiral microchannel having one or more input channels and a plurality of output channels configured to utilize high volume fraction outer wall focusing for microfiltration of particles.

A chromatographic device includes a primary channel having a cross-sectional area and characteristic length such that analyte travel within the primary channel is substantially convective. A plurality of secondary channels each having a cross-sectional area and characteristic length such that analyte flow into and out of a secondary channel is substantially diffusive, each of the plurality of secondary channels having an entrance in fluidic communication with the primary channel wherein the entrance intersects the primary channel.

The present invention is directed to a microfluidic system comprising a microfluidic chip and a method of performing a chemical assay wherein a sample is processed into multiple daughter droplets and said daughter droplets are incubated with varying reagents. The properties of these droplets can be detected to provide assay data.

A method of isolating cells includes providing a microfluidic device having at least one microfluidic channel coupled to an inlet and an outlet, the at least one microfluidic channel comprises at least one expansion region disposed along the length thereof. The at least one expansion region is an abrupt increase in a cross-sectional dimension of the at least one microfluidic channel configured to generate a vortex within the at least one expansion region in response to fluid flow. A solution containing a population of cells at least some of which have diameters 10 m flows into the inlet. A portion of cells is trapped within vortex created within the at least one expansion region. The trapped cells may then released from the expansion region.

Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

The invention provides a micro-droplet array formation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first plate configured for delivering and/or extracting fluids, a second plate aligned to the first plate and configured for preparing the fluid and a third plate removably aligned to the second plate and is configured for forming a micro-droplet array of the prepared fluid.

An EWOD device includes a first and second substrate assemblies, and a spacer that spaces apart the first substrate assembly from the second substrate assembly to define a channel between them. The spacer defines fluid input ports that are in fluid communication with the channel, and the spacer is configured for directing fluid from the fluid input ports into the channel. The spacer has a combed spacer configuration to define the fluid input ports, including alternating teeth that extend into the channel from a base region, and the teeth isolate adjacent fluid input ports from each other. The spacer may contact only a portion of the first and second substrate assemblies to form a spacerless region within the EWOD device, and the spacer includes regions that are in contact with both the first and second substrate assemblies and extend into the channel to define a cell-gap of the channel.

A system for isolating cells in at least one of single-cell format and single-cluster format, comprising a reservoir, including a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet, configured to receive a biological sample and to receive at least one fluid, a manifold configured to receive and deliver the biological sample and the at least one fluid from the reservoir into a biological sample substrate, the manifold comprising a broad surface comprising a central region configured to receive the biological sample substrate, a set of openings configured to enable fluid flow transmission across the biological sample substrate, a manifold inlet configured to transmit flow from the reservoir the first subset of openings, a manifold outlet configured at a downstream end of the broad surface and coupled to the second subset of openings, the manifold outlet configured to transmit waste fluid from the manifold.