Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

Transfer of genetic and other materials to cells is conducted in a hands-free, automated and continuous process that includes flowing the cells between electroporation electrodes to facilitate delivery of a payload into the cells, while acoustophoretically focusing the cells. Also described is a control method for the acoustophoretic focusing of cells that includes detecting locations of cells flowing through a channel, such as with an image analytics system, and modulating a drive signal to an acoustic transducer to change the locations of the cells flowing in the channel. Finally, an electroporation driver module is described that uses a digital to analog converter for generating an electroporation waveform and an amplifier for amplifying the electroporation waveform for application to electroporation electrodes.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlled ejection of desired material onto surfaces including in single cells using nanopipettes, as well as ejection onto and into cells. Some embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller for depositing a user defined pattern on an arbitrary substrate for the purpose of controlled cell adhesion and growth. Alternate embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller and electronic control of a voltage differential in a bore of the nanopipette electroosmotically injecting material into a cell in a high-throughput manner and with minimal damage to the cell. Yet other embodiments are directed to method and system comprising functionalized nanopipettes combined with scanning ion conductance microscopy for studying molecular interactions and detection of biomolecules inside a single living cell.

An analysis device and an analysis apparatus for identification of analytes in fluids applying the SERS effect which provides a safe way to perform analysis, avoiding an accidental cross-contamination without the use of disinfectant products; the analysis device comprising a casing enclosing a sample region for receiving a fluid sample, and a nanoparticle region for storing at least a nanoparticle fluid; the sample region and the nanoparticle region being in fluid communication each other through a passage; driving means in fluid communication with the passage; a mixing region in fluid communication with the passage; and the casing being adapted to allow an incident monochromatic light from an external source to strike on the mixing region, and a reflected light from the mixing region to leave the casing.

A device including a microfluidic channel structure formed on a substrate and including a first channel and a fluid actuator within the microfluidic channel structure. A sense region within the first channel is to receive a fluid flow of target biologic particles for counting in a single file pattern, with the sense region having a volume on a same order of magnitude as a volume of a single one of the target biologic particles.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

Systems, methods, and modules for detecting a biomarker in a sample are described. A system for detecting presence or absence of a biomarker in a sample includes: a light source for producing electromagnetic radiation for interrogating the sample; a biosensor module including: a waveguide for guiding the electromagnetic radiation, the waveguide exposed to the sample; and a recognition element affixed to the waveguide and configured to bind to the biomarker; a detector for receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide and detecting a signal corresponding to an interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the biomarker bound to the recognition element, in accordance with at least one detection modality; and a computing device for analyzing data related to the signal in order to detect presence or absence of the biomarker in the sample.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the inline trace analysis of a liquid, preferably of an aqueous process solution, comprising: a housing (1); a micro-channel (2) through which the liquid to be examined is allowed to flow and into which light of a light source (3) is coupled; a detector (4) for light emerging from the micro-channel (2); and a user interface (5) for monitoring and/or operating the apparatus. The micro-channel (2), the detector (4) and/or the user interface (5) are arranged in the housing (1) and/or are integrated into the housing (1), and the housing (1) has a connection (6) for feeding the liquid in the micro-channel (2) and a connection (7) for power supply of the apparatus.

A method of microfluidic detection can include detecting, using an impedance sensor, an impedance of a fluid to indicate whether a threshold amount of fluid has been received in a reservoir of a microfluidic chip. The method can include initiating a test performed by the microfluidic chip on the received fluid when the threshold amount of fluid has been received.

Fluid may be pumped within a microfluidic channel across a cell/particle sensor using a microscopic resistor. The microscopic resistor may be selectively actuated so as to heat the fluid within the microfluidic channel to a temperature below a nucleation energy of the fluid so as to regulate a temperature of the fluid for at least when the cell/particle sensor is sensing the fluid.