The present disclosure provides an assay cartridge used in a PCR-based molecular diagnostic device. In one embodiment, the assay cartridge comprises (1) an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of compartments arranged between the proximal end and the distal end, said plurality of compartments include at least a first pipette tip holder near the proximal end, and a second pipette tip holder near the distal end; and (2) a seal assembly covering the elongated body comprising a rigid frame which matches the top periphery of the elongated body, and an elastic top mounted on the rigid frame, the elastic top comprising a first sub-portion near the proximal end comprising a first ring structure that matches the first pipette holder, and a second sub-portion near the distal end comprising a second ring structure that matches the second pipette holder.

Disclosed herein include methods, devices, kits, and systems for nucleic acid sequencing, for example, to determine cell-cell interaction using a dielectrophoresis microfluidic device.

A method for forming discrete volumes of aqueous fluid may comprise flowing aqueous fluid into a first conduit from a supply of aqueous fluid and flowing into the first conduit a spacing liquid supplied from a second conduit, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid. The flowing of the aqueous fluid and the spacing liquid into the first conduit forms discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid, with consecutive discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid separated by the spacing liquid. The method may further comprise transferring the discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid and spacing liquid from the first conduit to a third conduit for processing.

A microfluidic device includes an input source characterized by a source pressure, an input channel in fluid communication with the input source, and an output channel. The microfluidic device also includes a normally closed valve having a closed state and an open state. The normally closed valve is disposed between the input channel and the output channel. The microfluidic device further includes one or more release chambers coupled to a pressure source. Activation of the pressure source deforms the one or more release chambers, placing the normally closed valve in the open state.

Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

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

Biological chemicals, potentially found in blood are measured by collecting sweat and determining the concentration or meaning of the selected chemical in sweat. The sweat can be collected using a time based, interval collector and analyzed using an external device. It can also be collected on a one time basis, using a flexible, chemical capacitor, or on a continuous basis using a chemical, field effect transducer.

The present invention generally relates to droplet libraries and to systems and methods for the formation of libraries of droplets. The present invention also relates to methods utilizing these droplet libraries in various biological, chemical, or diagnostic assays.

In situ-generated microfluidic capture structures incorporating a solidified polymer network, methods of preparation and use, compositions and kits therefor are described. Microfluidic capture structures may be advantageously used for assays performed within the microfluidic environment, providing flexibility in assaying micro-objects such as biological cells. Assay reagents and analytes may be incorporated within the microfluidic capture structures.

Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.