An electrophoresis apparatus includes a dilution unit, an electrophoresis unit, and a control device. The dilution unit dilutes a sample with dilution water. The electrophoresis unit analyzes the sample diluted by the dilution unit by electrophoresing the sample. The control device controls the dilution unit and the electrophoresis unit.

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.

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.

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.

Devices that may couple two or more apparatuses, such as an organ-on-a-chip device and a microfluidic device. Devices that include an organ-on-a-chip device, a microfluidic device, and a cap that couples the organ-on-a-chip device and the microfluidic device. Systems that include the devices and a detection unit. Methods for quantitation of insulin.

Microfluidic chips that can comprise thin substrates and/or a high density of vias are described herein. An apparatus comprises: a silicon device layer comprising a plurality of vias, the plurality of vias comprising greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer, and the plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer; and a sealing layer bonded to the silicon device layer, wherein the sealing layer has greater rigidity than the silicon device layer. In some embodiments, the silicon device layer has a thickness between about 7 micrometers and about 500 micrometers while a via of the plurality of vias has a diameter between about 5 micrometers and about 5 millimeters.

Method, apparatus, and computer program product for a microfluidic channel having a cover opposite its bottom and having electrodes with patterned two-dimensional conducting materials, such as graphene sheets integrated into the top of its bottom. Using the two-dimensional conducting materials, once a fluid sample is applied into the channel, highly localized modulated electric field distributions are generated inside the channel and the fluid sample. This generated field causes the inducing of dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces. These DEP forces are the same or greater than DEP forces that would result using metallic electrodes because of the sharp edges enabled by the two-dimension geometry of the two-dimensional conducting materials. Because of the induced forces, micro/nano-particles in the fluid sample are separated into particles that respond to a negative DEP force and particles that respond to a positive DEP. Microfluidic chips with microfluidic channels can be made using standard semiconductor manufacturing technology.

A separation unit is a configuration that is arranged vertically, and thus bubbles generating from the electrode will not negatively influence the contact location between the transfer membrane and separation unit. An anode (32) is arranged at a position separated by a certain distance in the conveying direction (X) of the transfer membrane (1) from the dispensing part (50a) of an electrophoresis gel chip (50). An insulating electrode cover (35) for setting free bubbles generating from the anode (32) is arranged at an upper part of the anode (32).

Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic electrophoresis column, sheath liquid pump, and exit channel, all on the same monolithic chip. Material is separated in the electrophoresis column and passed into the exit chamber in response to a voltage potential between a first electrode within the electrophoresis column and a terminating electrode integrated into the chip. The terminating electrode can be in the sheath liquid pump chamber, the sheath liquid reservoir, or a separate flow channel that intersects the exit channel along with the electrophoresis column and sheath liquid pump chamber. The flow of sheath liquid into the exit chamber entrains separated analytes into an effluent that is dispensed out of the exit chamber via a discharge outlet.

Methods, systems and apparatus for automated extraction, purification, and processing of nucleic acids from biological samples are presented. In some embodiments, hydrogel supports are used to immobilize particulate biological input samples and extract nucleic acids during operations. The use of hydrogel facilitates automated sample processing on robotic liquid handling systems. Devices, methods, and systems are also provided for electrophoretic sample preparation.