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.

Provided herein are technologies for reducing fluid convection during processing and analysis of a biological sample. The provided technologies can include the use of a porous insert to limit fluid convection adjacent to a biological sample. In particular, provided technologies can include providing a substrate comprising a capture area, a biological sample comprising a cell disposed on the capture area, a buffer disposed on the biological sample, and a gasket disposed on the substrate, wherein the gasket provides a chamber comprising the lateral dimension of the capture area and includes a height above the capture area and biological sample; and a porous insert positioned in the chamber and in contact with the buffer and/or or the biological sample, wherein the porous insert limits free flow space in the chamber, thereby reducing fluid convection adjacent to the biological sample.

A microfluidic device is disclosed which comprises: (i) a first surface which comprises a plurality of reaction units, each reaction unit having a test chamber connected to at least one opening via a feeding capillary, wherein said at least one opening is in communication with a hollow along a depth of the device, said hollow being defined by internal walls; and (ii) a second surface which comprises at least one flow-through channel having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, wherein said hollow extends to said second surface and fluidly connects said test chamber with said flow-through channel.

This disclosure relates to laboratory devices and systems. methods of use, and methods of manufacture. Laboratory devices of this disclosure include a chamber or receptacle, and may also include one or more ports fluidically connected to the chamber. Thus. laboratory devices may be closed systems, and may therefore be particularly amenable to cell culture applications. In some embodiments. laboratory devices may include a gas permeable membrane. Liquid filling of and withdrawal from a chamber/receptacle of a laboratory device of this disclosure may be facilitated by a lid or adapter feature that imparts a tilt or angle to the chamber.

Methods, systems and kits are described herein for detecting the results of an assay. In particular, the methods, systems and devices of the present disclosure rely on a difference between the diffusion rates of a reporter molecule and an analyte of interest in order to quantify an amount of analyte in a microfluidic device. The analyte may be a secreted product of a biological micro-object.

Methods, systems and kits are described herein for detecting the results of an assay. In particular, the methods, systems and devices of the present disclosure rely on a difference between the diffusion rates of a reporter molecule and an analyte of interest in order to quantify an amount of analyte in a microfluidic device. The analyte may be a secreted product of a biological micro-object.

An apparatus for supporting an array of layers of amphiphilic molecules, the apparatus comprising: a body, formed in a surface of the body, an array of sensor wells capable of supporting a layer of amphiphilic molecules across the sensor wells, the sensor wells each containing an electrode for connection to an electrical circuit, and formed in the surface of the body between the sensor wells, flow control wells capable of smoothing the flow of a fluid across the surface.

The present invention relates to a micro-object extraction method using diffusiophoresis enabling collection and extraction of micro-objects by using the concentration difference of a solution including the micro-objects to be extracted, and a micro-object identification method using same, wherein the present invention has the following advantages: desired micro-objects can be easily extracted only with a simple device by using diffusiophoresis; the collection and extraction of micro-objects can be easily controlled by changing the type of solution injected into a micro-channel; and energy usage is efficient by using self-powered energy by diffusiophoresis without separate external power required for extracting micro-objects.

Embodiments include an object delivery system that may include a solute selected to diffuse through at least a portion of a porous material to a target and to associate with the target to form a source beacon capable of generating a solute outflux; and an object to be delivered to the target, wherein the solute outflux causes the object to migrate towards the target. Embodiments further include a method of using an object delivery system that may include one or more of the following steps: loading a target with a solute to form a source beacon, wherein the target is located within a porous material; releasing the solute from the source beacon to produce a solute outflux, wherein the solute outflux causes an object to migrate towards the target; and reloading the target with solute one or more times to form one or more additional source beacons.