A method of forming a high-throughput, three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode array for in vitro electrophysiological applications includes 3D printing a well plate having a top face and bottom face. A plurality of culture well each includes a plurality of 3D printed, vertical microchannels and microtroughs communicating with the microchannels. The microtroughs and the microchannels are filled with a conductive paste to form self-isolated microelectrodes in each of the culture wells and conductive traces that communicate with the self-isolated microelectrodes.

“Biocathode MCL,” designated for its main bacterial constituents (Marinobacter, Chromatiaceae, and Labrenzia), is a stable microbial community enriched from seawater that forms biofilms on the surfaces of electrodes. These biofilms are effective to perform carbon fixation without the need for external electrical power nor sunlight applied thereto.

Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided. The devices include a conductive substrate having a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the dielectric layer and configured to be connected to a voltage source. The microfluidic devices also include a second electrode configured to be connected to the voltage source. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration that further include a section having a dielectrophoresis configuration; systems that include microfluidic devices in combination with an aqueous droplet and a fluidic medium immiscible with the aqueous droplet; related kits; and methods of manipulating droplets within the microfluidic devices.

Biocathode MCL, designated for its main bacterial constituents (Marinobacter, Chromatiaceae, and Labrenzia), is a stable microbial community enriched from seawater that forms biofilms on the surfaces of electrodes. These biofilms are effective to perform carbon fixation without the need for external electrical power nor sunlight applied thereto.

Methods for identifying compounds that modulate cellular responses stimulated by IgE, which include providing an impedance-based system that monitors cell-substrate impedance of cells on a substrate; introducing cells to the substrate of the system; adding at least one test compound and IgE to the cells, wherein the at least one test compound is suspected of modulating cell responses stimulated by the IgE; adding an antigen to the cells; monitoring the cell-substrate impedance of cells on the substrate; and analyzing the cell-substrate impedance to evaluate whether the at least one test compound alters a cellular response to stimulation with the IgE.

Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided. The devices include a conductive substrate having a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the dielectric layer and configured to be connected to a voltage source. The microfluidic devices also include a second electrode, optionally included in a cover, configured to be connected to the voltage source. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration that further include a section or module having a dielectrophoresis configuration; systems that include any of the microfluidic devices in combination with an aqueous droplet and a fluidic medium immiscible with the medium of the aqueous droplet; related kits; and methods of manipulating droplets, optionally containing micro-objects such as biological cells, within the microfluidic devices.

Methods for identifying compounds that modulate cellular responses stimulated by IgE, which include providing an impedance-based system that monitors cell-substrate impedance of cells on a substrate; introducing cells to the substrate of the system; adding at least one test compound and IgE to the cells, wherein the at least one test compound is suspected of modulating cell responses stimulated by the IgE; adding an antigen to the cells; monitoring the cell-substrate impedance of cells on the substrate; and analyzing the cell-substrate impedance to evaluate whether the at least one test compound alters a cellular response to stimulation with the IgE.

Biocathode MCL, designated for its main bacterial constituents (Marinobacter, Chromatiaceae, and Labrenzia), is a stable microbial community enriched from seawater that forms biofilms on the surfaces of electrodes. These biofilms are effective to perform carbon fixation without the need for external electrical power nor sunlight applied thereto.

A method of microbial electrosynthesis using co-cultures is disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to a method of microbial electrosynthesis utilizing a microbial strain capable of electron uptake from an electrode to produce hydrogen or formate in co-culture with a microbial production strain, such as a methanogen, acetogen, or other microorganism capable of synthesizing valuable products from carbon dioxide and hydrogen or formate.

Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided. The devices include a conductive substrate having a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the dielectric layer and configured to be connected to a voltage source. The microfluidic devices also include a second electrode configured to be connected to the voltage source. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration that further include a section having a dielectrophoresis configuration; systems that include microfluidic devices in combination with an aqueous droplet and a fluidic medium immiscible with the aqueous droplet; related kits; and methods of manipulating droplets within the microfluidic devices.