Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining a bioreactor vessel includes a tubular body portion having an interior passageway, and at least one aperture in the tubular body portion providing for fluid communication with the interior passageway, the tubular body portion being configured for positioning at a bottom of a vessel, and a suction tube having a first end configured for fluid coupling with the tubular body portion, and a second end configured for fluid coupling with a port in a sidewall of the vessel.

Abstract: Provided is a bioreactor assembly that includes a plurality of cultivation bags at least one flexible temperature control bag having a thermostating fluid, and a tray adapted to rock back and forth around at least one axis. The flexible temperature control bag is mounted on the tray and the cultivation bags are located on the flexible temperature control bag.

Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus for a bioprocessing system includes a first plate having a first surface and a second surface, at least one fluid flow channel formed in the first surface, at least one valve recess formed in the first surface along the at least one fluid flow channel, and at least one fluid passageway extending through the first plate from the at least one fluid flow channel to the second surface, and a sealing layer disposed over the first surface and enclosing the at least one fluid flow channel. The at least one valve recess is configured to cooperate with an actuator and the sealing layer to prevent a flow of fluid through the at least one fluid flow channel.

Abstract: Methods of amplification, purification and detection of nucleic acid sequences especially RNA are described. One aspect of the method involves the hybridisation and subsequent ligation of a nucleic acid structure to the nucleic acid sequence desired to be manipulated. The methods require that the nucleic acid structure comprises a double stranded region and a single stranded region. The single stranded region is complementary to the RNA sequence of interest. The double stranded region may also contain additional functionalities which are then used subsequently in the method.

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel includes a first compartment configured to receive a suspension comprising cells and a cell culture medium, for use in a cell processing operation, a second compartment for receiving an overflow of the cell culture medium from the first compartment, and an overflow separating the first compartment from the second compartment, the overflow being configured to maintain a level of the cell culture medium in the first compartment

Abstract: Methods comprising the use of photoactivated chemical bleaching for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of binding at least one probe to one or more target present in a biological sample including multiple targets, and detecting a signal from the probe. The method further includes the steps of contacting the sample comprising the bound probe with a photoinitiator and irradiating the sample, thereby initiating a photoactivated chemical bleaching process that substantially inactivates the probe. The method further includes the steps of binding at least one probe to one or more target present in the sample, and detecting a signal from the probe. The process of binding, detecting and bleaching may be iteratively repeated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for a measurement system configured to test a flexible bio-process bag, the method comprising providing at least one flexible bio-process bag having a volume, wherein the at least one flexible bio-process bag is initially filled with a gas and inflated to a reference pressure (Pu), obtaining a leak model, obtaining baseline information, wherein the baseline information comprises at least a weighed first mass value (mbaseline) and a first time value (t1), obtaining evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises at least a weighed second mass value (mevaluation) and a second time value (t2), testing the flexible bio-process bag based on the leak model, the baseline information and the evaluation information.

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel includes a body having upper and lowerends and a hollow interior cavity formed in the body, the interior cavity located between the upper and lower ends, the interior cavity being configured to receive biomaterials for processing. The interior cavity includes a lower boundary that is angled toward the lower end of the body such that the vessel may be tilted to allow biomaterials within the interior cavity to be extracted and. concentrated and/or washed without the need for a separate bioprocessing device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein to implement flexible bioreactor control systems. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor programmed to determine whether the map value included in the process task object is a valid map value, the process task object to correspond to a task executed by a bioreactor, a control device or a measurement device of the bioreactor control system configuration, in response to determining the map value is a valid map value, decode the map value to identify the source location of a first input of the process task object, pull a value from the source location to update the input value of the process task object, and facilitate execution of the process task with the input value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aseptic connectors with integrated wireless connectivity. For example, an example system may include a removable clamp configured to secure a first portion of an aseptic connector to a second portion of the aseptic connector. The removable clamp may include a housing, a controller disposed within the housing, a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, a wireless radio disposed within the housing, and a sensor plug receptacle configured to receive a sensor plug coupled to a sensor of the aseptic connector. The controller may be configured to determine a sensor output of the sensor and to transmit the output using the wireless radio.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing dead leg spaces in a container or tubing includes a first member having a flange for attaching the first member to a wall of the container or tubing, the flange having at least one aperture, and a second member rotatably coupled to the first member, the second member having an upper end having at least one aperture, and an open distal end. The second member is rotatable relative to the first member between a closed position where the at least one aperture of the second member is misaligned with the at least one aperture in the flange to prevent the passage of fluid, and an open position where the at least one aperture of the second member is aligned with the at least one aperture in the flange to allow for the passage of fluid.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid segment present in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: a) generating a fluorescent image of the sample by a protocol comprising immunofluorescence detection of at least five different target proteins in the sample; b) selecting a region of interest of the sample by comparing the image to a predetermined criterion; c) removing a subsample from the region of interest, and; d) determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid segment present in the subsample.

Abstract: Methods and systems for chromatography are disclosed that employ a flexible container configured to fit within a support structure and adapted to receive a filtration or absorptive medium. The flexible container can include at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a separation barrier peripherally sealed within the container to separate the container into a resin containing portion and a drainage portion. The barrier can be configured to exclude the resin material from the drainage portion while allowing fluids to pass therethrough. The disposable chromatography system can further include one or more agitators disposed within the flexible container and adjustably configured to be raised or lowered in the flexible container. When the agitator is in the raised position, the resin packing material can operate in a settled, packed-bed configuration. Alternatively, the agitator in the lowered position permits the chromatography resin packing material to operate in a mixed, slurry configuration.

Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly for single use bioreactors includes a fluid transfer housing that can be mounted to the impeller shaft using a bearing that places the fluid transfer assembly directly below the lowest impeller but allows the impeller shaft to spin inside independently of the fluid transfer assembly. A fluid conduit connects the fluid transfer housing to a port in the single use bag wall which allows fluids to be introduced into the sparger and which also helps prevent the fluid transfer assembly from rotating with the impeller shaft.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein to implement flexible bioreactor control systems. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor programmed to determine whether the map value included in the process task object is a valid map value, the process task object to correspond to a task executed by a bioreactor, a control device or a measurement device of the bioreactor control system configuration, in response to determining the map value is a valid map value, decode the map value to identify the source location of a first input of the process task object, pull a value from the source location to update the input value of the process task object, and facilitate execution of the process task with the input value.

Abstract: A bioreactor system includes a vessel having a bottom floor, a flexible bioprocessing bag disposed within the vessel, and a flexible bladder positioned intermediate the bottom floor of the vessel and the bioprocessing bag. The flexible bladder is selectively inflatable to vary at least one of a geometry or configuration of the bioprocessing bag to provide for improved drainability or an increased turndown ratio for the bioreactor system.