The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of methods and devices that can be used for high-throughput precise quantification, detection and/or temporal profiling of cellular secretions. In various embodiments, the methods of the invention allow for high-throughput absolute detection of secretions of cells, identification of the nature of the secreted molecules, and/or the nature of the secreting cells. Further, the present invention includes a device combining microfluidics and antibody printing, wherein the device can be used to detect protein secretion signature of cells in a high-throughput manner. Further, the present invention includes compositions comprising molecules that can be used to reduce cell death and to implement cell-less therapies. Further, the present invention includes a method for training an algorithm to predict temporal profile of cellular secretion.

A method for determining a biological response of a target (41, 42) to a soluble candidate substance includes the steps: introducing a soluble candidate substance into a laminar flow of a buffer liquid (2) to form a candidate substance solute (3) having an initial concentration profile (31); dispersing the initial concentration profile (31) to form a dispersed concentration profile (32); directing the dispersed concentration profile (32) into a detection channel (12) to form a final symmetrical concentration profile (33) therein; introducing a target into the detection channel (12) to obtain a combined concentration profile including a constant target concentration profile overlying the final symmetrical concentration profile (33); holding in the detection channel (12) at least one half of the combined concentration profile; and optically scanning the combined concentration profile to detect an optical signal representative of the biological response of the target to the soluble candidate substance.

A microfluid device for producing diffusively built gradients comprising a bottom plate and a cover plate, wherein the cover plate has recesses and is connected to the bottom plate in a liquid-tight manner so that the recesses form at least two reservoirs and one observation chamber, which connects the reservoir, a reservoir can be filled particularly through an inlet/outlet through the cover plate, and the cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber is at least 5 times, preferably at least 200 times smaller at the aperture of the observation chamber into one of the reservoirs than the maximum cross-sectional surface of the reservoir in parallel to this cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber.

A microfluidic device is disclosed which comprises: (i) at least one reaction unit having a test chamber connected to at least one microchannel, wherein a surface of at least a portion of said reaction unit is attached to an isolated nucleic acid; and (ii) a flow-through channel having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, said flow-through channel and said microchannel being of dimensions to allow reactant diffusion to and from said reaction unit, wherein the diffusion time of said reactant along the microchannel is shorter than the flow time along the microchannel.

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.

The present invention provides a biomaterial assay strip as a strip-type platform for use in a point-of-care test device. The strip includes a porous matrix bearing micropores and composed of materials comprising a copolymer selected from the group comprising polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and polyarylsulfone in order to increase separation efficiency of the blood cells contained in a sample and to improve accuracy and reproducibility of measurements with a small amount of blood, wherein the matrix comprises an enzyme, a dye, and a hydrophilic polymer material therein, which all respond to a biomaterial and wherein the matrix develops a color as the biomaterial contained in the sample which is brought into contact with the upper layer of the matrix and then diffuses to the lower layer of the matrix, thereby assaying the biomaterial.

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.

A drug screening device is provided. A method of determining optimal drug concentrations and efficacy in a patient using the device are provided. A method of determining effective chemotherapeutic drugs and effective concentrations thereof using the device is provided. Also, a method of determining safety and efficacy of drugs using the device is provided.

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.

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.