Provided are a microfluidic chip, and an apparatus and a method for detecting biomolecules by using the microfluidic chip. According to an example embodiment, the microfluidic chip includes: a first storage configured to accommodate a sample, the sample including target materials; a plurality of second storages connected to the first storage, the plurality of second storages including reactants for the target materials; and a plurality of well arrays connected to the plurality of second storages, respectively, and configured to accommodate a solution of the sample, in which the reactants for the target materials are dissolved.

In a capillary of a pipette, first and second ends in a longitudinal direction are opened. A pressure chamber communicates through the second end with an internal portion of the capillary. A driving part changes a volume of the pressure chamber. A control part outputs a first signal driving the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber increases and liquid is suctioned from the first end. A suction signal in the first signal drives the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber increases from a volume before suction of the liquid by a first increase amount to become a post-suction volume. A brake signal is output following the suction signal and drives the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced from the post-suction volume by an amount which is smaller in absolute value than the first increase amount.

[Problem to be Solved] Provided is a motile cell sorting device that can effectively sort motile cells, such as sperms, having excellent motility and morphology by performing image analysis when animal cells are sorted. [Means for Solution] The motile cell sorting device 1 comprises a storage unit 3, a first introduction unit (cell injection channel) 5, a first introduction control unit 7, a first holding unit (cell capture area) 9, a first derivation unit (cell collection channel) 11, a first derivation control unit 13, a collection unit (liquid storage) 15, a photographing unit 17, and a first controller 19.

The present disclosure provides devices, systems, methods for processing and/or analyzing a biological sample. An analytic device for processing and/or analyzing a biological sample may comprise a moving carriage. The analytic device may be portable. The analytic device may receive instructions for performing an assay from a mobile electronic device external to a housing of the analytic device.

The present invention provides a medical device and a method for the selective separation of a biological sample of a mammal into a first portion and a second portion. It comprises a first layer comprising a first reservoir for receiving the biological sample and for retaining the first portion of the sample, and a second layer comprising a second reservoir for receiving the second portion of the sample. Between the first layer and the second layer a third layer is provided, wherein the third layer comprises a plurality of channels configured to provide a fluid communication between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Furthermore, between the first layer and the second layer a fourth layer adjacent to the third layer is provided, wherein the fourth layer comprises and/or is configured as a separation layer. At least the third and fourth layer are configured to selectively separate the biological sample between the first reservoir and the second reservoir into the first portion and the second portion of the sample. According to the invention, the layers are to be understood to be stackable in a substantially vertical plane, forming a three-dimensional layered structure.

Microfluidic chips containing electrochemical biosensors are described. The electrochemical biosensors include a flow layer intersected by valves of a control layer, which control the fluid flow. The flow layer includes two zones, an analyte capture zone for mixing a sample with an analyte capture element, and a detection zone for detecting the analyte. Both zones include a rotary mixer for mixing, and where needed, trapping, washing, and flowing the captured analyte. The captured analyte is detected by the sensing region of the detection zone. The microfluidic chips may be integrated into devices for automated, fast, point-of-care determination of analyte concentration.

A method for controlling a magnetic valve and particularly a method for dispensing and/or aspirating a volume of liquid as well as a corresponding dispenser/pipetting apparatus is disclosed. The method for controlling a magnetic valve has measuring a capacitance at the magnetic valve and determining a position of a plunger based on the measured capacitance. The method for dispensing or aspirating a volume of liquid has controlling a flow of a system fluid by a magnetic valve located between a pressure source and a dispenser/pipetting tip, dispensing or aspirating a volume of liquid through an exterior opening of the tip dependent on the flow of the system fluid, wherein controlling the flow and determining a flow time in dependence of the volume of liquid to be dispensed or aspirated, and controlling the magnetic valve is held open for the duration of the flow time.

The present disclosure relates to a nucleic acid analysis apparatus using a cartridge which can simplify the nucleic acid extraction and applicable to a molecular diagnostic POCT equipment. The nucleic acid analysis device includes a stage on which a cartridge is mountable, a nucleic acid extraction unit, and a control unit. The nucleic acid extraction unit performs a nucleic acid extraction through crushing of the sample, the cell disruption, and the nucleic acid purification as well as a nucleic acid amplification. The control unit controls the stage and the nucleic acid extraction unit so that the nucleic acid extraction through the crushing of the sample, the cell disruption, and the nucleic acid purification as well as the nucleic acid amplification are collectively performed.

A microchip controlling system comprises a microchip which is configured by adhesion of an elastic sheet and a plate/sheet member, and on which a flow path is provided as an inadhesive section between the elastic sheet and the plate/sheet member; and a microchip controlling apparatus comprising a valve mechanism which is inflated or deflated so as to control the flow path to be opened or closed.

Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are provided. The system includes a polymeric fluidic device comprising one or more reaction wells. A first light absorbing material is disposed on a first support to define a reaction well and first and second ports are coupled to the reaction wells. The first and second ports are configured to allow input of a fluidic sample into the reaction well. A lyophilized reagent is pre-loaded in the reaction well. A light source is configured to illuminate the first light absorbing material. A first portion of light illuminated onto the first light absorbing material is absorbed into the first light absorbing material and is configured to elevate the temperature of the first light absorbing material to heat the fluidic sample within the reaction well.