A microfluidic device comprises a lower layer that is electrically conductive and transparent with respect to an incident optical beam, an upper layer, comprising first portions that are electrically conductive and second portions that are electrically insulating, adjacent and alternated to the first ones; a compartment seamlessly extending between the lower layer and the upper layer; the compartment contains a filler medium configured to emit an optical emission beam and markers dispersed in the filler medium, which are electrically charged and are adapted to move inside the compartment in all directions according to the intensity of the electrical signal applied to the first portions, the filler medium is configured to interact with the markers to increase or decrease the intensity of the optical emission beam according to the local concentration of the markers.

The invention relates to a system (10) adapted to measure multiple biophysical characteristics of cells, the system (10) comprising: a microfluidic chip (12) provided with a microfluidic channel (14) which allows cells to flow through, the microfluidic channel (14) having an inlet (14a), an outlet (14b), and a lateral opening (14c) situated between the inlet (14a) and the outlet (14b); and a capacitive sensor (30) integrated in the microfluidic chip, adapted to obtain biophysical characteristics of a single cell in the microfluidic channel (14) by directly manipulating the single cell by sensor elements (31, 32) through the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), the sensor (30) comprising a stationary part and an electrostatically driven movable part which is movable relative to the stationary part, the stationary part being fixed to the microfluidic chip (12), the movable part being arranged in the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), wherein a portion of the sensor elements (31, 32) provides an interface between fluid and air in the system.

Cancer treatment using TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) can be customized to each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic (e.g., dielectrophoretic forces, cell membrane capacitance, etc.) of the cancer cells, determining a frequency for the TTFields based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the cancer by applying TTFields to the subject at the determined frequency. In addition, cancer treatment can be planned for each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic of the cancer cells, predicting whether TTFields would be effective to treat the cancer based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the subject by applying TTFields if the prediction indicates that TTFields would be effective.

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.

Devices, systems, and methods for applying a dielectrophoretic force on a particle include: a cell defining at least one channel for confining the particle; and a first electrode and a second electrode electrically isolated from the first electrode, at least one of the first and second electrodes being formed from a two-dimensional (2D) material providing an atomically sharp edge. The first and second electrodes are arranged sufficiently close to one another and sufficiently close to the channel such that application of a sufficient voltage across the first and second electrodes generates an electric field in at least part of the channel, the electric field having an electric field gradient sufficient to apply the dielectrophoretic force on the particle in the channel.

There is a described a patch-clamp chip for making electrical measurements on a biological sample. The patch-clamp chip comprising a plurality of layers comprising poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) forming a stack. It comprises at least a chip surface layer comprising an aperture formed therethrough and which upwardly opens on the surface, where the biological sample is provided. A microfluidic channel layer comprising PDMS extends below the plane of the chip surface layer and comprises a microfluidic channel formed therein. The aperture of the chip surface layer downwardly opens on the microfluidic channel. Electrophysiological measurements are made between an internal solution in the microfluidic channel and the external solution on the chip surface. The measurements can be performed via a bottom electrode. A plurality of apertures and corresponding microfluidic channels can be provided to perform simultaneous measurements on a plurality of samples, independently.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a cell preparation system is described. The cell preparation system includes a fluidic channel to transport cells in single file past multiple detection devices. The cell preparation system also includes a series of detection devices. Each detection device includes 1) a constriction to deform a cell found therein and 2) a sensor to measure a state within the constriction. The cell preparation system also includes a controller. The controller analyzes outputs from multiple sensors to 1) verify a single file transport of cells through the system and 2) identify a cell that passes through the fluidic channel.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus for electrically assessing and/or manipulating cells. One aspect is directed to electrically mapping cells on the surface of the semiconductor substrate via cross-electrode impedance measurements. Further according to some aspects, the electrode array allows for spatially addressable electrical stimulation and/or recording of electrical signals in real-time using the CMOS circuitry. Some of these aspects are directed to using an electrode array to perform cell patterning through electrochemical gas generation, and extracellular electrochemical mapping.

A seal enhancer for improving the patch clamp seal in a patch clamp method or apparatus is provided. The internal solution comprises particular anions and the external solution comprises one or more metal ions at low concentration.

The disclosure generally relates to methods for generating cardiac fibroblast cells from epicardial cardiac progenitor cells, populations of cardiac fibroblast cells and uses thereof.