A system to determine the transfection status of at least one cell in a population of cells includes a fluidic device comprising a microfluidic channel and a detection zone comprising a detection electrode module comprising two electrodes configured to detect electrical impedance between the electrodes transversely across the channel in the detection zone; corresponding to a cell passing the detection zone, a pump fluidically coupled to the fluidic device and configured to pump the population of cells in a carrier liquid along the microfluidic channel, and a processor operatively coupled to the detection electrode module and configured to detect a change in electrical impedance corresponding to a cell passing the detection zone, compare the change in electrical impedance with a reference change in electrical impedance corresponding to a cell of known transfection status, and calculate the transfection status of the cell based on the comparison.

Method of detecting a target nucleic acid. In an exemplary method, at least two thermal zones of different temperature may be created using a heating assembly. A first emulsion and a second emulsion may be formed. The first and second emulsions may be thermally cycled by passing them through tubing in a spaced relation to one another, with the tubing being wound around a central axis of the heating assembly and extending through each thermal zone multiple times. Thermally cycling may promote amplification of the target nucleic acid in droplets of each emulsion. Droplets of each emulsion may be passed through a detection channel located downstream of the tubing. Fluorescence may be detected from the droplets being passed through the detection channel.

The invention relates to methods for operating a microfluidic device in the analysis of sample substances, comprising: (i) providing the microfluidic device, which contains an array of separate sensor spots; (ii) addressing a first selection of the sensor spots with sample substances taken up in fluid, said first selection not comprising the whole array of sensor spots; (iii) optically sensing of the first selection of sensor spots for an interaction with the sample substances; (iv) changing the operation of the microfluidic device in response to the optically sensed interaction, by addressing a second selection of the sensor spots with the sample substances taken up in fluid, said second selection not being identical to the first selection, and (v) analyzing the sample substances by optical sensing of a third selection of sensor spots which is part of the second selection. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding arrangement with microfluidic device.

The invention features devices and methods for the deterministic separation of particles. Exemplary methods include the enrichment of a sample in a desired particle or the alteration of a desired particle in the device. The devices and methods are advantageously employed to enrich for rare cells, e.g., fetal cells, present in a sample, e.g., maternal blood and rare cell components, e.g., fetal cell nuclei. The invention further provides a method for preferentially lysing cells of interest in a sample, e.g., to extract clinical information from a cellular component, e.g., a nucleus, of the cells of interest. In general, the method employs differential lysis between the cells of interest and other cells (e.g., other nucleated cells) in the sample.

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.

The invention provides a passive fluidics circuit for directing different fluids to a common volume, such as a reaction chamber or flow cell, without intermixing or cross contamination. The direction and rate of flow through junctions, nodes and passages of the fluidics circuit are controlled by the states of upstream valves (e.g. opened or closed), differential fluid pressures at circuit inlets or upstream reservoirs, flow path resistances, and the like. Free diffusion or leakage of fluids from unselected inlets into the common outlet or other inlets at junctions or nodes is prevented by the flow of the selected inlet fluid, a portion of which sweeps by the inlets of unselected fluids and exits the fluidics circuit by waste ports, thereby creating a barrier against undesired intermixing with the outlet flow through leakage or diffusion.

A micro fluid filtration system (100) preferably for increasing the concentration of components contained in a fluid sample has a fluid circuitry (1). The fluid circuitry (1) comprises the following elements: A tangential flow filtration element (7) capable for separating the fluid sample into a retentate stream and a permeate stream upon passage of the fluid, an element for pumping (3) for creating and driving a fluid flow through the fluid circuitry (1) and at least one element for obtaining information about the properties of the fluid sample within the circuitry. The circuitry further comprises a plurality of conduits (24) connecting the elements of the fluid circuitry (1) through which a fluid stream of the fluid sample is conducted. The circuitry (1) has a minimal working volume of at most 5 ml, which is the minimal fluid volume retained in the elements and the conduits (24) of the circuitry (1) such that the fluid can be recirculated in the circuitry (1) without pumping air through the circuitry (1). An integrated microfluidic element (20) of the circuitry (1) contains the functionality of at least two elements of the group of elements of the circuitry (1).

A system and method for sample droplet processing, the system including a substrate, an electrode array network coupled to the substrate and configured to provide a pattern of controlled electric fields for manipulation of the set of sample droplets; a first layer in communication with the electrode array network, the first layer separating the electrode array network from fluid of the set of sample droplets; and a second layer opposing the first layer and displaced from the first layer to define a region wherein droplets of the set of sample droplets can reside. In some variations, the system can additionally include an electronics subsystem coupled to at least one of the substrate and the electrode array network, and a control module in communication with the electronics subsystem, wherein the control module generates and manipulates the pattern of controlled electric fields.

A microfluidic device (1) comprising, a pallet, having a first surface (4a) and second, opposite, surface (4b); the first surface (4a) having defined therein, a main channel (5), and one or more inlet subsidiary channels (6a,6b) each of which is in fluid communication with the main channel (5) at a first junction (7) which is located at one end of the main channel (5), and corresponding one or more outlet subsidiary channels (8a,8b) each of which is in fluid communication with the main channel (5) at a second junction (9) which is located an second, opposite, end of the main channel (5); wherein the depth (‘d’) of the one or more inlet subsidiary channels (6a,6b) and the depth (‘χ’) of the one or more outlet subsidiary channels (8a,8b) is less than the depth (‘f) of the main channel (5) so that there is step (106a,106b, 108a, 108b) defined at the first junction (7) and at the second junction (9); the second, opposite, surface (4b) having defined therein a groove (15) which can receive a means for generating a magnetic field, wherein the groove (15) is aligned with, and extends parallel to, the main channel (5). There is further provided a corresponding assembly and method of extracting ferromagnetic, paramagnetic and/or diamagnetic particles from a sample.

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.