Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: (Problems) To provide a cell fusion chip, which allows to perform a cell fusion on a single chip, excels in the operating efficiency, does not require experience so much in cell feed or recovery, and has no risk of the contamination to the cells during the operation. (Means for Solving Problems) The present invention provides a cell fusion chip comprising: an isolation chamber for receiving isolated cells to be subjected to an fusion operation; a fusion chamber for fusing the cells together supplied from the isolation chamber; a culture chamber for culturing the cells fused in the fusion chamber; a first channel for connecting the isolation chamber and the fusion chamber; and a second channel for connecting the fusion chamber and the culture chamber, wherein the isolation chamber, the fusion chamber, the culture chamber, the first channel and the second channel are formed on a single chip.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a biological cell are presented. A beam of ultra-short pulses is generated. The beam is delivered to a mixture that includes a biological cell and a medium. The beam is focused to form a focal zone. The focal zone may be proximate to the biological cell. An event is generated at the focal zone that effectuates a modification to the biological cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay system, kits and methods for detecting microorgansims (especially for M. tuberculosis) of a suspected patient. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the integration of thermal and magnetic control in the same apparatus to largely reduce the whole process of M. tuberculosis detection to less than 5 hours.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for preventing contamination in assays performed in microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a buffer of non-reactive fluid is provided between an input port and a microchannel in which assays are performed during such times that flow from the input port is stopped. In general, an amount of non-reactive fluid is drawn into a channel connecting the stopped input port to the microchannel. Thus, any seepage, or diffusion, from the channel connecting the stopped input port to the microchannel will be of the non-reactive fluid, not the reagent, or other potentially-contaminating fluid, introduced through the input port. In one embodiment, microvalves and a negative pressure differential source control flow of reagents into the microchannel and the flow of non-reactive fluid into the inlet conduits.

Abstract: A feed controlling apparatus that controls feeding of plural minute objects that flow along a channel of a fluid, and receive a predetermined process at a predetermined position, includes a detector that detects whether there is the object at the predetermined position, and a controller that controls feeding of the object to be supplied to the predetermined position based on a detection result by the detector.

Abstract: A gene injection apparatus for injecting a gene into a cell held on a substrate, includes a needle unit. The needle unit includes a fine needle to be inserted into the cell immersed in a culture medium in which the gene is dispersed, and a flexible support part configured to hold the fine needle, the flexible support part being flexing when the fine needle is pressed onto the substrate. The gene injection apparatus further includes a drive unit configured to push down the flexible support part toward the substrate, further from a position where a tip of the fine needle contacts the substrate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for introducing a physiologically active substance such as a gene into a cell, which introduces a physiologically active substance such as any given gene into any given cell in a view under a microscope, while significantly reducing invasiveness to the cell, and a device used for the above method. The present invention provides a method for introducing a physiologically active substance into a cell, which comprises: allowing a physiologically active substance to attach around a needle having a diameter of 500 nm or less, provided that it is able to be inserted into a cell; and inserting the above-described needle into the cell; and a microinjection device for carrying out the aforementioned method.

Abstract: Engineered fluorescent proteins, nucleic acids encoding them and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing polypeptides, including insulinotropic GLP-1 (7-36) polypeptide and/or GLP-1 analogs, by ligating genes in a tandem way. Also disclosed are the recombinant polypeptides produced by such a method. Using the method of this invention, 1 to 32 copies of GLP-1 (7-36) and/or GLP-1 analog genes may be expressed in tandem and the desired polypeptide can be obtained after cleavage of a fusion protein and further processes of separation and purification thus making possible the production of recombinant polypeptides, including recombinant GLP-1 (7-36) and/or GLP-1 analogs on a large scale, at a significantly reduced production cost.

Abstract: In a method for delivering a nucleic acid of the invention, a nucleic acid is introduced into a cell by pressing the nucleic acid supported on a surface of a solid substrate against the cell. According to the method, the nucleic acid can be delivered into the cell simply at a low cost without placing a heavy burden on the cell at a high nucleic acid delivery efficiency. By allowing the surface of the solid substrate to support the nucleic acid in the form of a complex with a polyamine or a cationic lipid and pressing it against the cell, the introduction efficiency into the cell can be further improved. In the invention, by using a nucleic acid useful for gene therapy as the nucleic acid, a high-efficiency device for gene therapy can be obtained.

Abstract: A vibration type microinjection device capable of ensuring smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and a nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg with high accuracy and efficiency is provided. A vibration type microinjection device comprises a vibrator (28) which is connected in series with a micropipette (8) and which has a piezoelectric actuator (29) installed in a housing, and a signal control device (21) for controlling an electric signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (29), wherein vibration is applied in the longitudinal direction of the micropipette (8) via the vibrator (28) by inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric actuator (29). By such configuration, smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg is realized with high accuracy and efficiency.

Abstract: A surface of a cell is irradiated with laser beam to make an opening in the cell membrane, and a drug fluid is inserted in the cell through the opening.

Abstract: Initiation of growth and cultivation of cells can be performed by introducing the cells into culture compartments of a liquid-gas-phase exposure bioreactor containing a supply chamber in which there are disposed hollow-filament membranes having an inside diameter of no larger than 5 mm, wherein an inner volume of said hollow-filament membranes forms the culture compartments. Approximately one half of the supply chamber is filled with a nutrient medium and a remainder is filled with a gas mixture. Perfusion of medium and gas is turned on simultaneously or separately. The hollow-filament membranes and the cells contained therein are cyclically exposed to the gas or liquid phase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for thin-layer cell smear preparation and in-situ hybridization, comprising at least one positioning device and a sealing device. The positioning device comprises at least one first opening. When the positioning device is set on a carrier device, the wall of the first opening and the carrier device form a cavity. The cavity is used to accommodate a cell suspension. The sealing device is provided on the positioning device for sealing the cavity to form an enclosed space.

Abstract: Biological cells and other membranous structures are transfected in a flow-through system by first rendering the structures magnetically active such that they respond to a magnetic field, suspending the structures in a solution of an exogenous species with which the structures are to be transfected, then placing the suspension in a channel and using a moving magnetization pattern along the channel wall to cause the structures to travel through the channel. Along their path of travel, the structures pass a transmitter that emits transfection energy sufficient to cause the exogenous species in the suspension to permeate the structure membranes and enter the interiors of the structures.

Abstract: A thermalcycler includes a first thermalcycler body section having a first face and a second thermalcycler body section having a second face. A cavity is formed by the first face and the second face. A thermalcycling unit is positioned in the cavity. A heater trace unit is connected to a support section, to the first thermalcycler body section, to the second thermalcycler body section, and to the thermalcycling unit. The first thermalcycler body section and the second thermalcycler body section are positioned together against the support section to enclose the thermalcycling unit and the heater trace unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer covering for a tissue surface including, for example, a dressing, a bandage, a drape such as a bandage contact lens, a composition or covering to protect tissue, a covering to prevent adhesions, to exclude bacteria, to inhibit bacterial activity, or to promote healing or growth of tissue. An example of such a composition is an amniotic membrane covering for an ocular surface. Use of a covering for a tissue surface according to the invention eliminates the need for suturing. The invention also includes devices facilitating the fastening of a membrane to a support, culture inserts, compositions, methods, and kits for making and using coverings for a tissue surface and culture inserts. Compositions according to the invention may include cells grown on a membrane or attached to a membrane, and such compositions may be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering or tissue grafts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims methods and devices for the rapid mechanical isolation of monocot plant tissues suitable for transformation or tissue culture. The invention includes mechanical devices for substantially isolating target plant tissues for use as transformable explants, and propagation of transgenic plants and plant tissues.

Abstract: A system for qualifying cells of a cell sample labeled with a magnetic or magnetizable moiety is provided. The system includes a cell sample holder for holding a cell of the cells and a first cell analyzer which includes a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the cell and a sensor for qualifying and/or quantifying an effect of the magnetic field on the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices for the manipulation of cells or groups of cells, such as oocytes, embryos, and sperm. In particular, the present invention relates to Cell Labeling MEMS devices (2F), Microinjection MEMS devices, IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (“ICSI”) MEMS devices, Zona Coring MEMS devices, Enucleation MEMS devices, Enucleation/Nuclear Transfer MEMS devices, and Cytoplasmic Transfer MEMS devices. The present invention also relates to kits containing the MEMS devices of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention is for injecting a solution into a cell. The apparatus includes a nozzle that jets a solution to a cell, and a laser irradiating unit that irradiates a laser to the cell to form an opening through which the solution jet from the nozzle is introduced into the cell. The nozzle jets the solution toward a nucleus of the cell, and the laser forms the opening in the cell at a point in a cell membrane of the cell such that the solution can be applied on the nucleus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling biological functions with mechanical vibration are provided. Stimulation is applied to cells of one of an organism, bacteria or virus by mechanical vibration. The biological function comprises biological functions relating to cell growth. The biological functions relating to cell growth may include at least one of cell cultivation, cell proliferation, cell fusion, and cell differentiation.

Abstract: Compositions for siRNA delivery are described which include water soluble degradable crosslinked cationic polymers having a water soluble polyethylene glycol component, a cationic polyethyleneimine component and a degradable unit component. The composition may be used to deliver siRNA to cells, particularly cancer cells. The composition may be applied to a solid surface such as a multiwell plate so that the delivery of siRNA may be carried out on the solid surface.

Abstract: A cell capturing plate has a flat surface, an opening formed in one surface of the flat surface and supporting the cell therein, and a through-hole penetrating from the opening to the other surface of the flat surface and having a cross section parallel to the flat surface smaller than that of the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to excision of explant material comprising meristematic tissue from seeds, and storage of such material prior to subsequent use in plant tissue culture and genetic transformation. Methods for tissue preparation, storage, and transformation are disclosed, as is transformable meristem tissue produced by such methods, and apparati for tissue preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool head for a device that is used to automatically isolate and treat cell clones by means of a cloning dome, which isolates the respective cell clone from the environment, said cloning dome being held in a detachable manner by the tip of a pipette and the latter being fixed by a non-positive fit to a conical receiving element of the tool head. To hold the cloning dome on the tip of the pipette, the latter comprises a conical section, over which a complementary conical section of the cloning dome is folded and the tool head is fixed to an arm of a robot system. According to the invention, the end of the arm that is located on the tool head side is equipped with a receiving block (1), which has a lower (2) and an upper (3) stop to delimit the displacement path of a displaceable holder (4) for the pipette tip receiving element, said holder (4) being guided on the receiving block (1) by means of a linear guide (5).

Abstract: A microinjection apparatus has a trap plate which traps at least one cell, so as to fix a position thereof, a capillary needle which injects a substance into the cell trapped by the trap plate, a movement mechanism portion which thrusts a distal end of the capillary needle onto a in a lengthwise direction of the needle, and which withdraws the capillary needle in the lengthwise direction thereof, and a discharge control portion which discharges the substance from the distal end of the capillary needle, when the capillary needle has been withdrawn to a predetermined position by the movement mechanism portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to ?-silanyl n-alkanal compounds, method for production and use thereof in the fuctionalization of solid supports, solid supports functionalized by the compounds and the use of solid supports thus functionalized for the immobilization and/or synthesis of biological molecules of interest.

Abstract: A microinjection device is provided that includes an injection element defining a longitudinal axis, and that further includes a motor. The injection element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis by the rotational motor. The injection element is for penetrating a target, such as a cell. A microinjection system is provided that includes the microinjection device and a control unit. The control unit is for controlling a rotational amplitude and a frequency of oscillation of the injection element. A method for penetrating a target to facilitate injecting material therein is provided that includes providing the material to an injection element, contacting the target with a distal end of the injection element, rotating the injection element about a longitudinal axis to form a hole in the target, and penetrating the target with the injection element via the hole formed in the target.

Abstract: An oocyte recording chamber for electrophysiological measurements. The recording chamber includes a base and a cover attached to the base. The cover and the base define a chamber having a size sufficient to accommodate an oocyte. The recording chamber includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are positioned so that the tips of the electrodes penetrate the membrane of the oocyte when the cover is fastened to the base. The recording chamber also includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode exposed to the chamber and used as ground electrodes.

Abstract: A method of perforating a membrane 10 and apparatus therefore is presented. The method comprises: bringing a membrane-denaturing substance into contact with or close proximity to at least a site of said membrane 10, said substance inducing a membrane-denaturing reaction by a stimulus; providing said stimulus to said substance so as to denature said membrane 10; perforating said membrane with a membrane-destroying member 1. The stimulus is carried through said membrane-destroying member 1. The present invention eliminates the influence of membrane-denaturing agent to the substance to be injected into the cell. The present invention also enables applying the stimulus locally, with a simple construction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices for the manipulation of cells or groups of cells, such as oocytes, embryos, and sperm. In particular, the present invention relates to Cell Labeling MEMS devices (2F), Microinjection MEMS devices, IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (“ICSI”) MEMS devices, Zona Coring MEMS devices, Enucleation MEMS devices, Enucleation/Nuclear Transfer MEMS devices, and Cytoplasmic Transfer MEMS devices. The present invention also relates to kits containing the MEMS devices of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microinjection devices comprising a needle and a viewing instrument wherein the viewing instrument provides viewing of an object to an operator from an angle other than a right angle to the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods including a combination of thermal generating device technologies to achieve more efficiency and accuracy in PCR temperature cycling of nucleic samples undergoing amplification.

Abstract: To provide a microinjection equipment capable of fitting a micro needle to a manipulator etc. manipulating the micro needle in short time on the occasion of an injection operation. Included are a micro needle transporting device 12 detachably grasping a micro needle 10 filled with an introduction substance and disposed in a predetermined standby position and transporting the micro needle 10 to a predetermined ready-for-introducing position, a manipulator 14 grasping in the attachable/detachable manner the micro needle 10 disposed in the predetermined ready-for-introducing position and inserting and removing the tip of the micro needle 10 into and from an introduction target micro body 13, and an introduction substance discharging device 15 discharging the introduction substance in the micro needle 10 by applying a predetermined pressure to an interior of the micro needle 10 grasped by the manipulator 14.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a perforated member that has a pore used to discharge or suck a material, a cleansing unit that irradiates a plasma activated cleansing gas to the perforated member, and a moving unit that moves at least one of the perforated member and the cleansing unit.

Abstract: A phase transition type valve is provided. The valve includes a phase transition material filled and hardened in a section of a channel and a tube expanding region which has a larger cross-sectional area than the channel formed at both ends of the section in which the phase transition material is hardened.

Abstract: The sample temperature regulator is provided with a heating block (3) having a sample container holder (6) and a temperature-controllable heater (7) and with a cooling block (4) having a cooling mechanism (11). These two blocks are combined with each other through a connecting plate (15) made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of these blocks. This constitution can reduce heat transfer between the heating block and the cooling block and allows them to have wide temperature regulating ranges, as well as increased heating capacity and cooling capacity, respectively. Further, this constitution makes the structure of the temperature regulator simple and compact, so that the regulator has increased durability and can be offered at a low price.

Abstract: A multiwell test apparatus formed of a multiwell filter plate having a plurality of wells and a first feeding plate and a second receiver plate is provided. The wells of the multiwell filter plate each have an open bottom surface to which a membrane is attached, at least one first access hole providing access to the feeding/receiver plate below, a pair of alignment pins designed to fit alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates in a particular arrangement. The first feeding plate is a single well plate or a multiwell plate used solely for feeding. The second receiver plate is a multiwell plate having the same number of wells as the filter plate and aligned so as to receive the wells of the filter plate therein used as the assaying plate. The use of alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates and alignment posts in the filter plate ensure precise alignment of the plates when together.

Abstract: A multiwell filter plate of a multiwell test apparatus is provided to effect addition or removal of liquid from a feeding tray positioned below the multiwell filter tray. Access holes extending through a plate of the multiwell filter plate are provided so that a syringe can be extended through the access holes.

Abstract: A cell culture device for transfecting a eukaryotic cell is disclosed. The cell culture/transfection device may be a multiwell plate or slide which has been coated with a metal salt such as CaCl2. Methods of using the cell culture device to transfect mammalian cells and/or to monitor cell transfection are described. Kits are also described which include the cell transfection device, eukaryotic cells to be transformed and nucleic acid for transformation.

Abstract: A ready-to-use electroporation cuvette is provided that includes a cuvette, first and second electrodes positioned within the cuvette and electroporation competent cells frozen in a suspension solution within the cuvette, wherein the electroporation cuvette is configured to permit electroporation of the cells when the cells are thawed. The electroporation cuvette may be sealed with a cap that may be color coded to aid the user.

Abstract: A method of improving amplification of nucleic acids using a nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (“NASBA”) method is provided wherein target nucleic acids and NASBA primers are electronically addressed to electronically addressable capture sites of a microchip. This improvement uses electronically induced hybridization of the target nucleic acids to the primers. The primers may be solution-based or immobilized on the capture sites of the microchip.

Abstract: This new automatic bio-manipulation factory system for manipulating a single cell comprises: a bio-MEMS that transports, separates, and extracts a single cell for manipulation from a plurality of cells, controls the rotation-orientation of the extracted cell automatically, and enables the extracted cell to maintain a certain temperature; and a micro manipulation system that obtains vision information and manipulation information about the extracted single cell and the manipulation tool, provides such information to operator, manipulates the extracted single cell by transmitting the rotation-orientation feedback information and the cell manipulation order of the operator to the bio-MEMS, and manipulates the manipulation tool by transmitting the tool manipulation order of the operator to the manipulation tool. The conventional manual and individualized single cell manipulation can be automated and processed collectively by systematically combining the bio-MEMS with the micro manipulation system.

Abstract: Non-contact fluid deposition devices having multiple axis printhead adjusters are provided. The subject printhead adjusters are made up of a single rigid frame that holds at least one printhead housing, where in certain embodiments multiple printhead housings, e.g., two, are held in side-by-side configuration in the single rigid frame of the adjuster. Each housing is adjusted in said adjuster by its own set of axis adjustment elements, where the set includes a rotational axis adjustment element for each horizontal and/or vertical axis adjustment element that is present. In using the subject devices, a printhead present in the adjuster is loaded with a volume of fluid, which in many embodiments is a fluid that includes a biopolymer or precursor thereof. The loaded printhead is then placed in opposing relation to a surface of a substrate and actuated to deposit a volume of fluid on the substrate.