The present invention generally relates to droplet libraries and to systems and methods for the formation of libraries of droplets. The present invention also relates to methods utilizing these droplet libraries in various biological, chemical, or diagnostic assays.

The present invention generally relates to droplet libraries and to systems and methods for the formation of libraries of droplets. The present invention also relates to methods utilizing these droplet libraries in various biological, chemical, or diagnostic assays.

Methods and systems for sorting particles are provided. Methods and systems for sorting cell beads are provided. In some cases, cell beads may be sorted from particles unoccupied with cell derivatives. In some cases, singularly occupied cell beads may be sorted from unoccupied particles and multiply occupied cell beads.

An apparatus for preparing a cosmetic composition containing an emulsion substance formed by instant emulsification through a microfluidic channel is provided. The apparatus includes a housing defining the appearance of the apparatus and installed with a pump on one side, the pump being operated by a user; an external-phase chamber provided in the housing, and storing an external-phase fluid forming the external phase of the emulsion substance; a dispersed-phase chamber provided in the housing, and storing a dispersed-phase fluid forming the dispersed phase of the emulsion substance. The apparatus further includes a microfluidic channel providing a path for the external-phase fluid and the dispersed-phase fluid to flow for forming the emulsion substance by combining the external-phase fluid with the dispersed-phase fluid; and a tube for discharging the emulsion substance from the microfluidic channel.

An emulsification device disclosed herein comprises: an outer tank having a first pressing end and a first exit end; and an inner tank having a second pressing end and a second exit end, wherein the inner tank is disposed inside the outer tank and the second exit end is located closer than the second pressing end to the first exit end, the outer tank is configured to house a first liquid and the inner tank is configured to house a second liquid, the first and second pressing ends are arranged so that one pressure can be applied onto both the first and second liquids, and under the pressure, the second liquid flows out of the inner tank through the second exit end and contacts with the first liquid in the outer tank so that an emulsion droplet comprising the second liquid within the first liquid is formed.

An emulsification device disclosed herein comprises: an outer tank having a first pressing end and a first exit end; and an inner tank having a second pressing end and a second exit end, wherein the inner tank is disposed inside the outer tank and the second exit end is located closer than the second pressing end to the first exit end, the outer tank is configured to house a first liquid and the inner tank is configured to house a second liquid, the first and second pressing ends are arranged so that one pressure can be applied onto both the first and second liquids, and under the pressure, the second liquid flows out of the inner tank through the second exit end and contacts with the first liquid in the outer tank so that an emulsion droplet comprising the second liquid within the first liquid is formed.

The present invention relates to extended release microparticles comprising a drug, and a preparation method therefor, and when the extended release microparticles comprising a drug are administered in order to replace conventional drugs that should be administered daily or monthly, the drug administration effect can be continuously maintained for one week to three months. In addition, the drug administration effect is maintained for a long time and, simultaneously, microparticles are prepared so as to have the average diameter of a fixed micro-size, and thus an effective drug concentration can be constantly maintained by controlling the release of the drug from the microparticles, and a foreign body sensation and pain can be reduced during drug administration since microparticles having a uniform size are included during application as an injectable drug.

The present invention relates to extended release microparticles comprising a drug, and a preparation method therefor, and when the extended release microparticles comprising a drug are administered in order to replace conventional drugs that should be administered daily or monthly, the drug administration effect can be continuously maintained for one week to three months. In addition, the drug administration effect is maintained for a long time and, simultaneously, microparticles are prepared so as to have the average diameter of a fixed micro-size, and thus an effective drug concentration can be constantly maintained by controlling the release of the drug from the microparticles, and a foreign body sensation and pain can be reduced during drug administration since microparticles having a uniform size are included during application as an injectable drug.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting polynucleotides in a sample and for quantifying polynucleotide load in a sample. The polynucleotides can be associated with a disease, disorder, or condition. In some applications, methylated DNA is quantified, e.g., in order to determine the load of polynucleotides in a sample. The present disclosure also provides methods and compositions for determining the load of fetal polynucleotides in a biological sample, e.g., the load of fetal polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA) in maternal plasma. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting cellular processes such as cellular viability, growth rates, and infection rates. This disclosure also provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting polynucleotides in a sample and for quantifying polynucleotide load in a sample. The polynucleotides can be associated with a disease, disorder, or condition. In some applications, methylated DNA is quantified, e.g., in order to determine the load of polynucleotides in a sample. The present disclosure also provides methods and compositions for determining the load of fetal polynucleotides in a biological sample, e.g., the load of fetal polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA) in maternal plasma. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting cellular processes such as cellular viability, growth rates, and infection rates. This disclosure also provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.