Single cell analysis devices are finding increasing use (for studying cellular metabolism, respiration rates, protein expression, etc.) because they overcome the difficulties in ensuring cell homogeneity in larger cell populations. However, current devices determine extracellular flux by measuring temporal changes in concentration, and thus require...

The accurate measurement of potassium ion levels in biological samples is essential given the impact such ion levels have on many aspects of homeo-stasis. Normal potassium levels are important for the maintenance of heart and nervous system function. Traditionally, potassium ions have been measured in plasma or serum using ion-selective electrodes,...

A single biomarker is often insufficient to identify a given disease with both sensitivity and specificity. In such cases, one or more additional tests for other biomarkers are used in order to accurately diagnose the disease. The disadvantage of this process is that multiple sensors, wells, platforms, and/or labels are frequently required to measure...

With the increasing focus on personalized medicine there is a need for specific tools that can be used to predict, diagnose, and monitor disease progression and treatments. The clinical significance of one such disease marker, RANTES, a chemoattractant cytokine in inflammation, has been suggested in kidney related complications, autoimmune diseases,...

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of two hormones in the body primarily responsible for calcium regulation. PTH affects bone and kidney tissue. The inappropriate regulation of this hormone is associated with diseases such as primary and secondary hyperpara-thyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypo/hypercalcemia, and adynamic bone disease. PTH exists...

Non-invasive imaging systems, such as MRI and CT, have become an essential part of modern medicine for obtaining the information necessary to diagnose various diseases. MRI contrast agents have been tested in imaging cancers of the liver, the spleen, and the gastrointestinal tract as well as in imaging cardiovascular diseases. Researchers at the...

This invention contains the following distinct novelties: 1. The ability to perform flip-chip based electronic packaging for a die that contains mechanical and electrically active MEMS (Micro Electromechanical System) structures. Currently, most MEMS packaging technology still use a old-fashioned (Gold or Aluminum) wire-bonding technology which...

BTEX is a complex group of aromatic volatile organic compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes) associated with automobile exhaust pollution. Many epidemiological studies have linked elevated levels of BTEX to adverse human health effects. Measuring BTEX usually requires the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS)....

The bleomycins (BLMs) are well-known antineoplastic agents. They are particularly useful in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas and malignant lymphomas. The therapeutic effect of bleomycin analogues is believed to result from their selective oxidative cleavage of DNA and possibly RNA. Much of the site-specific cleavage is thought to be effected...

The field of microfluidics covers a broad range of applications that deal with the motion of fluids at a micro-scale. Microfluidic systems comprising nozzles, pumps, reservoirs, mixers, valves, etc., can be used for a variety of applications including drug dispensing, ink-jet printing and general transport of liquid, gases and their mixtures....