Abstract: The present invention provides methods of quantifying protein leakage from a protein based affinity chromatography media (e.g., protein A, protein G and protein L based affinity chromatography media), where such a protein is used for isolating and/or removing a molecule which binds the protein (e.g., an immunoglobulin).

Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a flexible conduit with a second conduit having a barbed outer surface. The connector accommodates the end of the flexible conduit and the end of the second conduit in a manner which prevents removal of the flexible conduit and the second conduit from the connector. Optionally, the connector has a ring that may be used to apply additional pressure and security to the outer surface of the flexible conduit. additionally, the connector may have a wireless enabled communication and optionally, memory device such as a RFID tag attached or affixed to it.

Abstract: A system for centrally managing a set of network-connected laboratory instruments is disclosed. For example, the system includes a centralized database that includes information about the instruments in the system and about the authorized users of the system. In particular, the centralized database indicates which users are authorized to use each of the instruments in the system. The database may also include information about the operations that each user is authorized to perform using the instruments and information indicating whether tests performed by each instrument must be signed using one or more electronic signatures. The system may recognize a number of “roles,” each of which is associated with a particular set of rights, and may assign one or more roles to each user. Instruments and other elements of the system may access the centralized database over a network to enforce the user rights represented by the information in the database.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reliably detecting the presence of proteins, including proteins with various post-translational modifications (phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, acetylation, etc.) in a sample by the use of one or more capture agents that recognize and interact with recognition sequences uniquely characteristic of a protein or a set of proteins (Proteome Epitope Tags, or PETs) in the sample. Arrays comprising these capture agents or PETs are also provided.

Abstract: A method of separating a selected ionic component from a sample, comprises contacting the sample with an ionic adsorbent whose charge density is such that the component is bound selectively in the absence of added ionic component that competitively binds the adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiwell plate having a series of wells, each well having an inner bore, an open top and a bottom, the bottom being sealed with a liquid permeable filter, and an insert contained within the inner bore of each well, each insert having an outer dimension the same or larger than that of the inner bore and a through bore of a dimension less than that of the outer dimension of the insert. The use of inserts allows one to take a standard one-piece plate design with a heat sealed membrane and arrange for a universal plate format. The insert may act as a base for an extension plate that can be adhered, heat sealed or overmolded over the plate top and insert top to form a deep well plate. The plate conforms to the Society of Biological Standards Microplate Standards. Additionally, the inserts may be configured to give one a different well diameter (smaller, tapered, etc), to include various media such as chromatography resins, to include multiple layers of membrane and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores.

Abstract: In the present invention cells are placed in a multiwell plate and grown. When the assay is to be performed, one uses gravity to wash away any unbound ligands rather than vacuum or centrifugation. The cells are then examined to detect the bound ligand. To perform the washing step(s) the plate is placed into a carrier plate having open wells in register with the wells of the filter plate or one may use a wicking device or an underdrain attached to the bottom of the filter plate. Sufficient wash liquid is added to allow for filtration by the effect of gravity to occur. Cells are retained within the wells at a rate of 4 times that of other rapid methods.

Abstract: A process for forming room temperature water soluble polymer coatings on porous substrates by a solution of a room temperature water soluble polymer, one or more crosslinkers, a solvent for the room temperature water soluble polymer such as water and optionally one or more porogens, or functional agents, stirring the mixture until all the components are dissolved, adding the solution to a porous structure such as a non-woven fabric or a porous membrane and drying the solution on to the substrate as a coating before subjecting the coating to crosslinking. Alternatively, the coating may be partially crosslinked before drying the solution. Porous structures having a room temperature water soluble polymer coating and being capable of convective flow through the pores of the structure and diffusive flow through the coating can be formed.