Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of dosaging a nucleic acid species comprising contacting a solid phase member or members, each member having a predetermined capacity of binding said nucleic acid species, with a sample containing the nucleic acid species to bind the nucleic acid species thereto, and then releasing the bound nucleic acid species into a desired processing or analytical means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a separation method comprising the steps: (i) contacting an aqueous liquid that contains a dissolved substance that is to be enriched with a polymer under conditions allowing selective partition of said substance to said polymer, whereafter (ii) said polymer containing said substance is removed from said aqueous liquid. The polymer employed is a poly(vinyl ether) having different or identical vinyl ether subunits (1) where X et Y are selected among hydrogen and methyl; and R is selected among organic groups. A plurality of R are equal to a hydrophilic organic group. One or more R comprise a bioaffinity ligand; an ion exchange group, etc. The method may be applied to bioseparations such as gel, affinity, ion exchange and covalent chromatography and corresponding batch procedures. Also disclosed are vinyl ether polymers that can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A structure for the absorption or desorption of a substance on a bed through which liquid is allowed to pass comprises a vessel containing a liquid-permeable bed, a lower adaptor, an upper adaptor and means for providing a liquid flow to the bed through one of the adaptors and means for conducting a liquid flow away from the bed through the other adaptor. The lower adaptor is arranged in the lower part of the vessel and at least partially defines the vessel bottom. The lower adaptor has an opening for the passage of liquid to or from the lower part of the vessel, which opening is directed toward the bed, and the lower adaptor is provided with a distribution facility for distributing or collecting liquid flow towards or from, respectively, a bottom surface of the bed. The upper adaptor is arranged in an upper part of the vessel and at least partially covers a cross-sectional area of the vessel.

Abstract: A porous carrier for biocatalysts (a) comprising a water-insoluble inorganic filler and a polyolefine binder selected from polyethylene and polypropylene, (b) having open pores allowing cells to penetrate and grow within its pores, and (c) having a density above 1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A spacer in the form of an elongated, rectangular parallelepiped for use between the two glass plates of a gel cassette to delimit a space for receiving an electrophoresis gel between the glass plates where the spacer is made of glass.

Abstract: Porous material of a polysaccharide and a method for preparations of such a material, wherein a water-based solution of the polysaccharide is mixed, with controlled stirring, with an essentially water-immiscible organic phase to form an emulsion, which when allowed to solidify, just before or during the gelling process, forms a network of two continuous phases, an aqueous polysaccharide phase and a flow-pore-forming organic phase, resulting in a material with two types of pores: small diameter diffusion pores and large diameter flow through pores.

Abstract: In a method of filling a liquid chromatographic column with particulate separation medium, a liquid suspension of the particulate separation medium is introduced into one end of the column, wherein the column is closed at one end with a first filter, so that the particles will be retained by the filter while the liquid passes therethrough. After terminating the filling process, the other end of the column is closed with a second filter. According to the invention, the particle suspension is delivered via an inlet element which can be moved axially in relation to the end of the column an in which the second filter in mounted. During the filling process, the inlet element and the filter are held in a position in which the particle suspension is able to pass from the upper side of the filter and past its side-edge and into the interior of the column.

Abstract: A method of producing sealed cavity structures in the surface layer of a selectively etchable substrate (1), comprises: a) depositing a masking layer (2) of etchable material on the substrate (1), b) by means of etching, opening at least one hole (3) in the masking layer (2) down to the substrate surface, c) through said hole or holes (3) in the masking layer (2) selectively etching the substrate (1) in under the masking layer (2) so as to form one more cavities (4) which extend under the masking layer, and d) sealing said hole or holes (3) in the masking layer (2).

Abstract: A machine for synthesizing oligonucleotides has individual pumping modules for connection to each of a number of different monomers and to other fluids used in the synthesizing process. Each pumping module includes a pump and a three-port/three-way valve with the first inlet port connected to receive the fluid, and the second port connected to receiving a flushing agent, such as acetonitrile. A valving arrangement downstream from the pumping modules selects a monomer. The selected monomer and other fluids pass through flow sensors which provides signals to a controller, which uses these signals to regulate the pumping of the pumps. At least some of the valves allow multiple inlet ports to be kept open at the same time, thus allowing certain of the liquids to be mixed within the valves. The various pumps, valves and sensors are mounted to the exterior of a cabinet and arranged such that the liquid handling portions are exterior to the cabinet, while electrical portions are within the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of processing nucleic acid samples for analysis comprises the use of one or more manifolds (10) with a plurality of individual solid phase members (11) adapted for cooperation with a corresponding set or sets of receptacles (13; 15; 17). A nucleic acid species in a sample is bound to each solid phase member (11) by introducing the solid phase members into a receptacle or set of receptacles (13; 15; 17) which contain the sample or samples. Optionally, the bound nucleic acid species may be processed in a second set or sets of receptacles, and reaction products therein may be bound to the solid phase members (11) of a second manifold or manifolds. The solid phase members (11) of the first or second manifolds are then introduced into the sample receptacle or receptacles of an analyser for analyzing the nucleic acid species or reaction products, wherein nucleic acid species or reaction products are released from the solid phase members (11).

Abstract: In a method for molecular-biological analysis of genetic material, a genomic DNA or RNA preparation is tested for the presence of mutations. The processed DNA or RNA preparation is contacted with a first set(s) of interconnected solid phase members (5) supporting oligonucleotide primers to bind a defined DNA or RNA fragment that may contain a stable mutation to each solid phase member, and/or with a second set(s) of interconnected solid phase members (5) supporting oligonucleotide primers to bind a defined DNA or RNA fragment that may contain an unstable mutation or several stable mutations to each solid phase member. The solid phase members (5) of the first set(s) are introduced into a matching first set(s) of interconnected receptacles (7) with reaction mixtures for producing products which contain an incorporated marker when a supported DNA or RNA fragment has a mutation.

Abstract: Support beads for downstream processing comprising a polymer, esp. a polysaccharide, matrix into which glass or silica particles, preferably quartz particles, have been incorporated, and their use in downstream processing, especially stabilized fluidized bed separations.