Abstract: This invention relates to a pipette tip designed to perform filtration or sample separation on the basis of one or more perforations, holes or incisions performed on the tip. Such perforation, holes or incisions are large enough to permit the passage of fluids or smaller particles, but small enough to block the passage of solid materials or larger particles, such as those including chromatography media. Such a pipette tip can thus be used for the filtration or separation of samples without the use of a filter, secondary solid matrix or any other components needed to hold chromatography media and other solid matrices within the pipette tip during the separation process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for small sample preparation using a tube or column, such as a pipette tip, in which the interior surface is coated with a solid matrix for sample preparation. Said solid matrix is composed of a polymeric substance such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and one or more column materials such as reactive or absorptive materials suited for sample filtration, separation or purification. The desired sample, containing bio-molecules such as DNA, proteins or other molecular components, is passed through said tube or column, which may be a pipette tip, or like structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an equilibrium dialysis system in a multi-well format for the simultaneous preparation of multiple samples. Such an equilibrium dialysis system can be used for protein binding assays, molecule-molecule interaction studies, tissue cultures and many other biological and chemical applications. The equilibrium dialysis system described herein has at least 96 wells for the simultaneous preparation of 96 samples and can also be made in 96-well, 384-well, 1536-well or other multi-well formats.

Abstract: In the present invention we describe a new method for the formation of a mucin-biomolecules complex, such as a mucin-DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) complex and the application of such a complex for the transport of DNA, RNA (ribonucleic acid) and other biomolecules into cells. Transfection is the introduction of a DNA molecule into a eukaryotic cell, usually followed by the expression of one or more genes in the newly introduced DNA. The mucin-DNA complex described in the present invention can be used to perform transfection of DNA, as well as, the introduction of RNA and other larger biomolecules into cells. Since effective transfection, especially in in vivo systems is still limited by the methods currently available, the mucin-DNA complex, as described in the present invention, presents a novel and significantly improved method for performing transfection and ensuring the effective transmission of DNA into cells and the expression of genes in transfected DNA.

Abstract: The present invention describes a reaction chamber consisting of a reactant-containing aqueous solution, which may be in droplet form, coated with a hydrophobic powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins, polyethylene or hydrocarbon-coated particles such as hydrocarbon-coated silica. The polymer particles are preferably less than 500 microns in size. Charcoal, metal powder or silica powder can be inserted inside or on the surface of the reaction chamber droplet. Also, a reaction chamber droplet containing a first reactant such as an enzyme-bound bead can be combined with a second reaction chamber droplet containing a second reactant to mix the reactants in the two chambers resulting in a subsequent reaction. A dialysis or filtration membrane can also be placed on a reaction chamber droplet for dialysis using the droplet chamber. Electrochemical reactions can be performed by placing the droplet chamber between two electrodes and producing current flow between them.

Abstract: The present invention presents a novel method for both staining electrophoresis gels, as well as removing the background dye during de-staining. This novel and simple pad-based technique minimizes solvent consumption, is environmentally friendly, and does not leave any solid residues on the gel. Furthermore, a novel method for the quantitative and qualitative determination of protein concentration in solution is also presented. This method is simple, easy-to-use and has an easily visible color change from clear to blue in the presence of protein.