Abstract: An apparatus and method of using a pipette with pipette tip columns were developed in which a pipette is operated with the pipette tip columns inserted into the wells of a microplate. In this configuration the pipette is free standing and is essentially perpendicular to the microplate. The pipette is hand-held when transferring between positions, e.g., between operation steps that take place in different rows of wells. The open lower ends of the pipette tip column are approximately centered within the plate well. The columns and plate are designed in such a way that the open lower ends of the pipette tip columns are in contact with liquid in the plate well however, the columns do not seal on the well bottom, preventing flow in and out of the column. The pipette contains the appropriate firmware and software to control flow for all steps of pipette tip column operation. In some embodiments, cells are purified from biological samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using a pipette with pipette tip columns were developed in which a pipette is operated with the pipette tip columns inserted into the wells of a microplate. In this configuration the pipette is free standing and is essentially perpendicular to the microplate. The open lower ends of the pipette tip column are approximately centered within the plate well. The columns and plate are designed in such a way that the open lower ends of the pipette tip columns are in contact with liquid in the plate well however, the columns do not seal on the well bottom, preventing flow in and out of the column. The pipette contains the appropriate firmware and software to control flow for all steps of pipette tip column operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying, detecting and using biological cells. A variety of cell types including viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a column, including a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Purified viable cells can be detected on the column or eluted from the column and detected. Cells on a column can be used as a stationary phase for liquid chromatography. Cells may be removed, recovered and analyzed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the selective isolation of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins and their fragments. A lanthanide metal cation is used to precipitate proteins or protein fragments containing phospho groups and/or glyco groups. The sample preparation method can be used for many types of biological samples, including HeLa cells, food, and human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins are isolated, recovered and ready for analysis by mass spectrometry or other analytical methods allowing detection limits down to the femtomole level. The method and apparatus are valuable tools in the field of protein analysis and diagnostics.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying biological cells. For example, viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a column, including a pipette tip column. Cells can be purified in a sealed chromatographic system. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of storing columns in a wet state.

Abstract: The invention provides pipette tip columns and automated methods for the purification of nucleic acids such as plasmids from unclarified cell lysates containing cell debris as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of medium positioned in the pipette tip column, above a bottom frit and with an optional top frit.

Abstract: The invention provides pipette tip columns and automated methods for the purification of nucleic acids such as plasmids from unclarified cell lysates containing cell debris as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of medium positioned in the pipette tip column, above a bottom frit and with an optional top frit.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of isolating nucleic acids from cells in the presence of the growth medium. The invention is particularly useful for isolating extrachromosomal replicons such as plasmids. Cells are lysed in the presence of the medium in which they were grown and nucleic acids are isolated using a pipette tip column. A liquid handling robot can be used to isolate nucleic acids from multiple samples simultaneously without the need for human intervention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the selective isolation of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins and their fragments. A lanthanide metal cation is used to precipitate proteins or protein fragments containing phospho groups and/or glyco groups. The sample preparation method can be used for many types of biological samples, including HeLa cells, food, and human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins are isolated, recovered and ready for analysis by mass spectrometry or other analytical methods allowing detection limits down to the femtomole level. The method and apparatus are valuable tools in the field of protein analysis and diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the selective isolation of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins and their fragments. Metal cation is used to precipitate proteins or protein fragments containing phospho groups and/or glyco groups. The sample preparation method can be used for several types of biological samples, including HeLa cells, food, and human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins are isolated, recovered and ready for analysis by mass spectrometry or other analytical methods allowing detection limits down to the femtomole level. The method and apparatus are valuable tools in the field of protein analysis and diagnostics.

Abstract: An automated or semi-automated method was developed for the isolation of proteins using lanthanide metals. Phosphoproteins and glycoproteins can be isolated from complex biological samples using filtration with novel column configurations.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of isolating nucleic acids from cells in the presence of the growth medium. The invention is particularly useful for isolating extrachromosomal replicons such as plasmids. Cells are lysed in the presence of the medium in which they were grown and nucleic acids are isolated using a pipette tip column. A liquid handling robot can be used to isolate nucleic acids from multiple samples simultaneously without the need for human intervention.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying biological cells. For example, viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the selective isolation of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins and their fragments. A lanthanide metal cation is used to precipitate proteins or protein fragments containing phospho groups and/or glyco groups. The sample preparation method can be used for many types of biological samples, including HeLa cells, food, and human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins are isolated, recovered and ready for analysis by mass spectrometry or other analytical methods allowing detection limits down to the femtomole level. The method and apparatus are valuable tools in the field of protein analysis and diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The invention is characterized by the use of low dead volume columns, which is achieved in part by the use of low pore volume frits (e.g., membrane screens) to contain a bed of extraction media in the column. Low dead volume facilitates the elution of the captured analyte into a very small volume of desorption solution, allowing for the preparation of low volume samples containing relatively high concentrations of analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides pipette tip extraction columns for the purification of a DNA vector from un-clarified cell lysate containing cell debris as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the pipette tip column, above a bottom frit and with an optional top frit.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of isolating nucleic acids from cells in the presence of the growth medium. The invention is particularly useful for isolating extrachromosomal replicons such as plasmids. Cells are lysed in the presence of the medium in which they were grown and nucleic acids are isolated using a pipette tip column. A liquid handling robot can be used to isolate nucleic acids from multiple samples simultaneously without the need for human intervention.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The invention is characterized by the use of low dead volume columns, which is achieved in part by the use of low pore volume frits (e.g., membrane screens) to contain a bed of extraction media in the column. Low dead volume facilitates the elution of the captured analyte into a very small volume of desorption solution, allowing for the preparation of low volume samples containing relatively high concentrations of analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides pipette tip extraction columns for the purification of a DNA vector from un-clarified cell lysate containing cell debris as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the pipette tip column, above a bottom frit and with an optional top frit.