Abstract: A first time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a first thermal cycling process and a time stamp for each time interval, and a second time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a second thermal cycling process. Signal emissions at different signal detecting positions are sequentially measured at different time intervals to generate first and second time/signal emission data sets for receptacles subject to the first and second thermal cycling processes, respectively. Signal emissions of receptacles subject to the first thermal cycling process are synchronized with specific temperatures of the first thermal cycling process by comparing time stamps of the first time/signal emission data set for each receptacle with the time stamps of the first time/temperature data set that correspond with the specific temperature.

Abstract: A method of aligning a plurality of targets is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of targets. A third phase includes the plurality of targets. The method further includes combining a first phase, a second phase, and the third phase in a volume. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are substantially immiscible, and the third phase is in fluid communication with the first phase and the second phase, and the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are operable to be in a configuration of the third phase between the first phase and the second phase in the volume.

Abstract: A biodegradable light wand is provided, the light wand including: a light transmitting tube comprising a natural hydrocolloid, the tube having a sidewall, a second port and a first port, to define a bore; a first bioluminescence tablet which comprises a light producing enzyme and a second bioluminescence tablet which comprises a bioluminescence-generating molecule, both housed in the bore; a bio-plug in the first port, the bio-plug sized to seal the first port, the bio-plug comprising a beeswax, charcoal, sometimes fungal spores, and a substrate; and a cap, the cap sized to seal the second port, the cap is configured in the second port. Together these components form a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative to plastic chemiluminescent glow sticks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and devices for making and using three-dimensional biological tissues that accurately mimic native physiology, architecture, and other properties of native tissues for use in, among other applications, drug testing, tissue repair and/or treatment, and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus has an electroporation probe terminals for linking with electrodes. A foam is injected at the treatment site to displace blood rather than mixing with it, increasing the contact time of a higher concentration of active agent with the tissue and thus resulting in greater efficacy. With foam solutions, a lower concentration of agent can be used to obtain the same therapeutic effect as in their liquid counterpart, reducing the prevalence of side effects associated with higher concentrations. A foam solution compared to an equivalent liquid solution enables more efficient cell electroporation particularly where bipolar pulses have been employed by mitigating an increase in tissue conductivity as would normally be observed with a comparable liquid solution. A more efficient cell permeabilization would result in better results where electroporation is being delivered alone or as a tool to aid in the uptake of molecules into the cell.

Abstract: An imaging system and method provides automated microbial growth detection for antibiotic sensitivity testing. A processing system having an image sensor for capturing images of an inoculated culture plate having antibiotic disks disposed on the culture media captures images of the plate at separate times (e.g., first and second images). The system generates pixel characteristic data for pixels of the second image from a comparison of the first image and second image. The pixel characteristic data may be indicative of plate growth. The system may access growth modeling data concerning the antibiotic disk(s) and generate simulated image data with a growth model function. The growth model function uses the growth modeling data. The simulated image data simulates growth on the plate relative to the disk(s). The system compares the simulated image and the pixel characteristic data to identify pixel region(s) of the second image that differ from the simulated image.

Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.

Abstract: A digital microfluidics (DMF) device can be used to extract plasma from whole blood and manipulate the extracted plasma. The device can have a plasma separation membrane disposed between a sample inlet and sample outlet that leads into the DMF device. Once the plasma contacts the actuation electrodes of the DMF device, the plasma can be actively extracted from the whole blood sample by actuating the actuation electrodes to pull the plasma through plasma separation membrane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments and methods useful in preparing and delivering graft material to a surgical site. Some embodiments may particularly be directed to forming a graft from a blood clot and accurately and effectively handling and delivering the graft to a surgical site. Graft material may include blood components such as clotted fibrin derived from a patient's or a donor's blood.

Abstract: A method for checking a dissection process in a laser microdissection system includes carrying out the dissection process for cutting out a dissectate from an object in a first region of the object by a laser beam. First image data is acquired of at least the first region of the object after the dissection process. It is examined whether the first image data has sharp structures within a region to be separated by the dissection process in order to determine whether the dissection process was successful.

Abstract: The present embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods for sorting and imaging insects, including egg and larval life stages, useful for automated high throughput bioassays.

Abstract: The reactor is for manufacturing biogas from organic raw material using anaerobic digestion. The reactor includes a tubular reaction chamber with a substantially rectangular cross-section composed of a bottom, walls and a ceiling for processing raw material into end products. Agitation and transfer equipment are arranged in the reaction chamber and an external support frame structure is arranged on the outer surface included in the reaction chamber for stiffening and supporting the reaction chamber externally against forces generated by the raw material.

Abstract: A sample holder (10) comprises a sample chamber (33), a gas reservoir (32) and an upper layer (20) covering over the sample chamber (33) and gas reservoir (32), wherein a bottom surface of the upper layer (20) comprises a microstructure array (23) which overlies at least a portion of a top periphery of the sample chamber (33), and wherein the microstructure array (23) is in communication with a gas path which extends to the gas reservoir (32), to allow gas exchange between the sample chamber (33) and the gas reservoir (32).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, chips, and methods of performing a large number of simultaneous chemical reactions are provided herein. The chips of the invention comprise addressable units that can be addressed according to the temperature of the reaction to be run. The subject apparatus, systems, and chips are particularly suited for performing polymerase chain reactions on thousands of nucleic acid sequences, up to and including sequences of an entire genuine of an organism of interest.

Abstract: System for performing a flow-based assay. The system may comprise a droplet generator to produce an emulsion including droplets in a carrier fluid. The system also may comprise a thermocycler including two or more temperature-controlled zones and also including a channel connected to the droplet generator for receiving the emulsion. The channel may form a single-pass continuous fluid route traversing the temperature-controlled zones multiple times, such that droplets passing through the channel are thermally cycled. The system further may comprise a detection station downstream from the thermocycler and configured to detect a signal from the droplets after such droplets have been thermally cycled by passing through the channel.

Abstract: A method of vascularising a cell aggregate on a microfluidic device, microfluidic cell culture devices comprising perfusable vascular networks and kits and assays using the microfluidic cell culture devices are described. The microfluidic devices comprise one or more capillary pressure barriers allowing for formation of an extracellular matrix gel within a confined area of the network, in which cells can be cultured for different uses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the generation of an activated platelet product in which one or more of the presence or absence of clots, the timing of clot formation (if present), and/or the mechanical strength of clots (if present) is controlled by the presence or concentration of calcium ions during the activation process. In certain embodiments, the calcium ion concentration is controlled in the presence of pulsed electric fields or a chemical activator (e.g., thrombin) as part of the activation process.

Abstract: A system for controlling blood pressure includes a wearable interface having an internal contact surface, the wearable interface configured to at least partially encircle a first portion of a first limb of a subject, a sensing module carried by the wearable interface and configured to determine at least a change in blood pressure of the first limb of the subject, and an energy application module carried by the wearable interface and configured to apply energy of two or more types to the first limb of the subject.

Abstract: A method for separating and enriching sperm from a tissue sample comprises: obtaining a microfluidic separating system having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a membrane filter (e.g., hollow fiber membrane filter) fluidly connected to the outlet end; separating the tissue sample via the microfluidic separating system into a debris fluid volume and a sperm fluid volume; and enriching the sperm fluid volume by removing excess media via the membrane filter. A two-stage tissue sample separation system comprising: a microchannel structure defining a separation fluid channel to form a separation stage; an inlet end of the microchannel structure; an outlet end of the microchannel structure; and a membrane filter fluidly connected to the outlet end for removal of at least a portion of excess media in the tissue sample.

Abstract: A portable module for a container forming and filling system. The portable module includes a control module, an operator interface, a pump, connectors, and a transport member. The pump is configured to pump liquid for forming the container and filling the container into a container forming and filling machine. The connectors are for connecting the portable module to the container forming and filling machine. The transport member is for moving the portable module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sperm sorting chip and a method for sorting sperm using the same. Said sperm sorting chip includes: a flow channel structure sequentially configured with a gradually diverging flow field region, a main flow channel, and a gradually converging main flow channel intercommunicated with each other from a first side end to a second side end; a fluid injection port, a semen injection port, and a semen extraction port separately located at the first side end and communicated with a main input channel of the gradual diverging flow field region; and a waste fluid outlet located at the second side end and communicated with the gradually converging main flow channel. The gradually diverging flow field region further includes a plurality of sub-input channels derived from the main input channel and converged into the main flow channel, and the plurality of sub-input channels have a gradually widening channel width at the junction with the main flow channel.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a biomolecule measuring device that can decrease the influence of crosstalk between chambers. A biomolecule measuring device according to the present invention supplies, to electrodes equipped on chambers, voltages modulated differently to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using a one or more assays configured to detect a kidney injury marker selected from the group consisting of Coagulation factor VII, CA19-9, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7, C—X—C motif chemokine 6, and C—C motif chemokine 13 as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal injuries.

Abstract: A method of circulating tumor cells isolation, using an isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells, comprises the following steps: (1) providing a sample; (2) adding a cell culture medium to the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells; (3) adding the sample to the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells to cultivate; and (4) collecting the suspended circulating tumor cells in the cell culture medium; wherein the isolating cultural system of circulating tumor cells comprises a container including a cell adhesion portion, and cellulose coated on the cell adhesion portion.

Abstract: A culture container linkage device according to the present disclosure includes a first actuator configured to advance or retract needles 32, an actuator holder rotatably provided on a frame and configured to hold the first actuator, a second actuator, and a washer configured to wash the needles. The second actuator rotates the needles via the actuator holder. The needles are configured to be positioned, by the second actuator, at a container-facing position at which the needles face a culture container and a washing-facing position at which the needles face the washer.

Abstract: An analysis system 1 includes analysis apparatuses 2A to 2E which are dispersively installed in a plurality of installation places and are connected through a network 3 so as to be communicable with each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mechanically opening a heat-bonded connection site between two hollow, flexible, thermoplastic segments of a medical fluid flow path, the heat-bonded connection site having an axis. The connection site is compressed between two facing surfaces, and the facing surfaces are relatively moved to rotate the connection site about the connection site axis and to apply force to the connection site substantially perpendicular to the connection site axis.

Abstract: A method for amplification in a microfluidic assay, includes binding an analyte to a transport element, wherein the transport element includes a particle and a first antibody element and the analyte is bound to the first antibody element; moving the transport element with the analyte towards a tracer storage site including tracer elements which includes a first binder element, a label element and a second antibody element; binding the analyte to the second antibody element; moving the transport element with the analyte and the tracer element towards a tracer transport site including second binder elements; binding the first binder element with a second binder element; moving the transport element with the analyte towards the tracer storage site so that the analyte is detached from the second antibody element of the tracer element while the first binder element remains bound to the second binder element.

Abstract: An imaging system and method provides automated microbial growth detection for antibiotic sensitivity testing. A processing system having an image sensor for capturing images of an inoculated culture plate having antibiotic disks disposed on the culture media captures images of the plate at separate times (e.g., first and second images). The system generates pixel characteristic data for pixels of the second image from a comparison of the first image and second image. The pixel characteristic data may be indicative of plate growth. The system may access growth modeling data concerning the antibiotic disk(s) and generate simulated image data with a growth model function. The growth model function uses the growth modeling data. The simulated image data simulates growth on the plate relative to the disk(s). The system compares the simulated image and the pixel characteristic data to identify pixel region(s) of the second image that differ from the simulated image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-channel peptide synthesizer, including a gas-bath thermotank, a plurality of reactor tubes, a motor, a rotating rack, a liquid-feeding tube, a feeding device, a vacuum tube and a nitrogen tube. The gas-bath thermotank body provides a desired constant temperature for reaction. The reactor tube provides a place for peptide synthesis and resin washing. The motor and the rotating rack are used to fully mix the reaction and cleaning solutions. Various liquid reagents required are fed to the reactor tube through the liquid-adding tube. Various materials required are prepared in advance in the feeding device and directly fed to the reactor tube. The reaction or washing solution in the reactor tube is pumped to a waste liquid tank through the vacuum tube. Nitrogen is introduced into each reactor tube through the nitrogen tube. This device can be applied in batch-wise peptide synthesis using solid-phase methods.

Abstract: Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.

Abstract: A coverslip for cell culture, capable of achieving seamless adhesion between the coverslip for cell culture and a target culture device, so as to solve the technical problem that cell suspension flows into gaps between the coverslip and a culture dish. Moreover, the coverslip for cell culture has exquisite structure, and is easy to carry out batch experiment and comparison. The coverslip is flake-like with upper and lower surfaces being parallel to each other, and comprises: a coverslip substrate (1) and sub-coverslips (2); the coverslip substrate (1) is provided with at least N hollowed-out parts (11); the sub-coverslips (2) are fixedly connected in the hollowed-out parts (11) by means of M fragile connecting pieces (3), wherein both N and M are natural numbers which are not related to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a culture bag accommodating a culture fluid, the culture bag is capable of suppressing foaming in the culture fluid when oscillating the culture fluid to perform a culture, and performing a culture with high efficiency. The culture bag includes a culture space accommodating a culture fluid, the culture space being an endless space to allow the culture fluid to circulate therein, in which the culture bag has an inner surface that comes into contact with the culture fluid to be accommodated therein, the inner surface including, at least in part thereof, a first surface formed of a fine structure and a second surface formed of a structure different from that of the first structure.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells is disclosed. The method includes stirring cells with a magnetic stir element in the presence of a plurality of cell lysis beads at a speed sufficient to lyse the cells. Also disclosed is a device for lysing cells. The device includes a container having a magnetic stir element and a plurality of cell lysis beads disposed therein. The container is dimensioned to allow rotation of the magnetic stir element inside the container.

Abstract: A method for performing a laser microdissection for cutting a dissectate from a specimen using a laser includes the step of providing the specimen in a light path of an illumination system. The specimen is illuminated by the illumination system. A detector detects light emanating from the specimen. The light detected by the detector is analyzed. It is determined, based on the analysis of the light detected by the detector, whether a receptacle for collecting the dissectate is disposed in a predetermined collection position, at which the dissectate is to be collected in the receptacle after it is cut from the specimen. Laser cutting of the dissectate from the specimen is initiated based on it having been determined that the receptacle is in the predetermined collection position.

Abstract: In a lateral flow test (LFT) device, the liquid conduit element 20 is formed from a substrate 21, 22 or 24 having at least two layers, including a first layer 21b, 22b or 24b not exceeding 75 ?m in thickness formed from a porous material for wicking liquid, and a second layer 21a,22a or 24a of additional thickness formed from a generally non-porous polymer material acting as backing layer. The layered arrangement is incorporated into an LFT device to reduce sample volume requirements.

Abstract: Microfluidics has advanced in terms of designs and structures, however, fabrication methods are either time consuming or expensive to produce, in terms of the facilities and equipment needed. A fast and economically viable method is provided to allow, for example, research groups to have access to microfluidic fabrication. Unlike most fabrication methods, a method is provided to fabricate a microfluidic device in one step. In an embodiment, a resolution of 50 micrometers was achieved by using maskless high-resolution digital light projection (MDLP). Bonding and channel fabrication of complex or simple structures can be rapidly incorporated to fabricate the microfluidic devices.

Abstract: The formation of microporous surfaces through polymer induced phase separation in a photopolymer solvent mixture using photopolymerization via light self-focusing and self-trapping. The self-trapping of light sets fixed regions of brightness and darkness, sustained by the polymerization of light, and then wave guiding within the substrate. Phase separation occurs with the solvent phase separating in the regions of darkness and crosslinking in the regions of brightness. Upon removal of the solvent, precise and uniformly dispersed pores are created in the surface. The pore size and spacing may be tuned by adjusting the weight fraction of the photopolymer solvent mixture as well as through changes in the mask pattern.

Abstract: Methods are provided for performing antibiotic susceptibility testing based on the detection of RNA, such as tmRNA, from microbial cells after exposure to antibiotics. In some embodiments, aliquots are obtained from a sample, one of which contains a selected antibiotic. The aliquots, which include growth media, are incubated under conditions suitable for microbial growth, and the microbial cells in each aliquot are removed and lysed, and the lysate is subjected to reverse transcription and amplification in infer the effect of the selected antibiotic on the microbial cells. In one embodiment, a sample containing microbial cells is incubated in the presence of a selected antibiotic and a stimulus is provided to induce the production of m RNA within the microbial cells. The microbial cells are subsequently lysed without substantial degradation of the m RNA within the lysate, and the m RNA is detected to determine the effect of the antibiotic on the microbial cells.

Abstract: In a food taste reproduction system, a taste recognition device obtains the taste data obtained by quantifying the food taste. A first terminal converts the taste data into taste reproduction data on a component ratio of taste components for reproducing the food taste by combining a plurality of the taste components, the taste component containing a material providing at least one basic taste. The first terminal transmits the taste reproduction data to the server for storing. A second terminal receives the taste reproduction data via an Internet and outputs the taste reproduction data to a taste reproduction device. The taste reproduction device selects at least two taste components among a plurality of the taste components based on the taste reproduction data, and combines the selected taste components in accordance with the component ratio so as to obtain the taste reproduced material.

Abstract: Provided are a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test, based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and an automated cell image analysis system therefor. The antimicrobial susceptibility test is rapidly performed based on an analysis of changes in morphology and growth pattern of a microbial cell under different concentrations of various antimicrobial agents, and this makes it possible to obtain highly reliable test results faster by six to seven times than the standard method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Abstract: A carrier for holding a biological sample includes a substrate. The substrate is configured to engage a first sample chamber comprising a first opening characterized by a first opening diameter or a second sample chamber comprising a second opening characterized by a second opening diameter that is greater than the first opening diameter. The substrate includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. The lower portion is disposed below the upper portion and comprises a bottom surface configured to receive a biological sample. The intermediate portion is characterized by a first substrate diameter and the lower portion is characterized by a second substrate diameter that is less than the first substrate diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective concentration of immunoglobulins or other proteins that contain an Fc domain (target protein), comprising the following steps: a. preparing a solution that contains the target protein; b. incorporating an Fc-binding protein with precisely two binding sites under conditions that allow binding to occur; c. separating the precipitate from the liquid phase; d. undoing the binding of the target protein from the Fc-binding protein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions related to the selective, specific disruption of multiple ligand-receptor signaling interactions, such as ligand-receptor interactions implicated in disease, are disclosed. These interactions may involve multiple cytokines in a single receptor family or multiple ligand receptor interactions from at least two distinct ligand-receptor families. The compositions may comprise polypeptides having composite sequences that comprise sequence fragments of two or more ligand binding sites. The methods and compositions may involve sequence fragments of two or more ligand binding sites that are arranged to conserve the secondary structure of each of the ligands from which the sequence fragments were taken.

Abstract: A group of micro-objects in a holding pen in a micro-fluidic device can be selected and moved to a staging area, from which the micro-objects can be exported from the micro-fluidic device. The micro-fluidic device can have a plurality of holding pens, and each holding pen can isolate micro-objects located in the holding pen from micro-objects located in the other holding pens or elsewhere in the micro-fluidic device. The selected group of micro-objects can comprise one or more biological cells, such as a clonal population of cells. Embodiments of the invention can thus select a particular group of clonal cells in a micro-fluidic device, move the clonal cells to a staging area, and export the clonal cells from the micro-fluidic device while maintaining the clonal nature of the exported group.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible bag for cell cultivation, comprising a cultivation compartment and at least one dialysis compartment, wherein the dialysis compartment(s) is/are delimited from the cultivation compartment by one or more dialysis membranes and is/are fluidically connected to a first and a second port in the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for in vitro spermatogenesis from male germinal tissue comprising conducting maturation of testicular tissue comprising germ cells in a bioreactor which is made of a biomaterial and comprises at least one cavity wherein the germinal tissue is placed, and recovering elongated spermatids and/or spermatozoa.

Abstract: Provided are a method capable of evaluating adherent cells under an environment similar to an in vivo environment by a culture method similar to a two-dimensional culture, and applications thereof. An adherent cell culture method uses, as a culture chamber (10), a chamber in which two or more culture spaces each having an equivalent diameter (D) that is 1 to 5 times the diameter of a desired spheroid and each having a height (H) that is 0.3 to 5 times the equivalent diameter are arranged and a surface of each of the culture spaces has a water contact angle of 45 degrees or less. Spheroids of adherent cells are cultured in the respective culture spaces (11) arranged in the culture chamber (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic substrates and methods that are useful for performing biological, chemical and diagnostic assays. The substrates can include a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids.

Abstract: Described are embodiments for expanding cells in a bioreactor. In one embodiment, methods are provided that distribute cells throughout the bioreactor and attach cells to specific portions of a bioreactor to improve the expansion of the cells in the bioreactor. Embodiments may be implemented on a cell expansion system configured to load, distribute, attach and expand cells.