A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other. The method is characterized in comprising the steps of: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising a microchannel structures that are under a common flow control, each microchannel structure comprising a reaction microactivity; (ii) performing essentially in parallel an experiment in each of two or more of the plurality of microchannel structures, the experiment in these two or more microchannel structures comprising either a) formation of an immobilized form of the complex and retaining under flow conditions said form within the reaction microactivity, or b) dissociating, preferably under flow condition, an immobilized form of the complex which has been included in the microfluidic device provided in step (i), at least one reaction variable varies or is uncharacterized for said two or more microchannel structures while the remaining reaction variables are kept essentially constant; (iii) measuring the presentation of the complex in said reaction microactivity in said two or more microchannel structures; and (iv) characterizing said one or more reaction variables based on the values for presentation obtained in step (iii).

In one embodiment, a selective plane illumination microscopy system for capturing light emitted by an illuminated specimen, the system including a specimen support having a top surface configured to support a specimen holder and an opening configured to provide access to a bottom of the specimen holder, and a selective plane illumination microscopy optical system positioned beneath the specimen support, the optical system configured to illuminate the specimen with a sheet of excitation light and including an excitation objective, a detection objective, and an open-top, hollow imaging element that is configured to contain a liquid, wherein the imaging element is positioned within the opening of the specimen support and optical axes of the objectives are aligned with the imaging element such that the axes pass through the imaging element and intersect at a position near the top surface of the specimen support.

A mini-fluidics cassette, for detection of at least one analyte in a sample, comprising, at least one sample inlet port, at least one reagent inlet port, at least one outlet port, at least one channel extending between said at least one sample inlet port and said at least one outlet port, at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source, at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable spectrophotometer distant said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source, wherein said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source and said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable spectrophotometer forms part of the at least one channel, and is proximate said at least one outlet port and forms at least one reading cell/path length for light from said fiber optic cable light source to said fiber optic cable spectrophotometer port.

A dispensing system has a dispenser for delivering a variable colour mixture, and a computer system having a touch screen on which the mixture colour can be displayed, and a selection movable on the screen, to vary the dispensed mixture colour. A method for learning to use such a dispensing system having a dispenser allows a colour mixture to be dispensed, and a computer system, making it possible to select a colour and to memorize data, including: selecting at least one colour with the aid of a computer system interface, delivering, with the aid of the dispenser, at least one selected colour mixture, evaluating the one or more dispensed mixtures after application to at least one face zone, memorizing the at least one mixture characteristics, in particular a mixture that the user wishes to be able to recover, and of at least one zone on which it has been tested.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed towards a disposable microfluidic cartridge configured for use in a system for the small scale production of nanoparticles used in scientific research or therapeutic applications. The system can be used to produce a wide variety of nanoparticles, including but not limited to lipid and polymer nanoparticles, carrying a variety of payloads. The system provides for a simple workflow which in certain embodiments can be used to produce a sterile product.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Novel systems and methods are provided that rapidly separate particles from a liquid. In an embodiment, a small volume of liquid (such as a blood sample, or any other solution with a concentration of particles) is input into a flow device implemented as a unilateral channel. When activated by an acoustic energy source (such as an ultrasound pulse), gas-liquid interfaces naturally occurring between the liquid in the flow device and a plurality of gas-filled cavities that line the channel will oscillate and create stable cavitation streaming within a localized region of the surrounding liquid. These oscillations create micro-vortices that gently remove and trap particles and debris from the liquid and adjacent surfaces. Fluid and particle manipulation can thus be accomplished on a passive, disposable chip that is placed on top of an external acoustic transducer with a coupling medium.

Embodiments of the present technology may include a system for forming an emulsion. The system may include a coiled tube. The coiled tube may have a first end and a second end. The second end may be located at a position higher than the position of the first end. The system may also include a plurality of beads disposed within the coiled tube. The system may further include a first inlet fluidly connected to the coiled tube. The first inlet may be configured to deliver a first fluid to the first end before the second end. In addition, the system may include a second inlet fluidly connected to the coiled tube. The second inlet may be configured to deliver a second fluid to the first end before the second end.