Abstract: A system for measuring parameters in a container is disclosed. A system for measuring multiple parameters includes a container having a solution, at least one sensor in conjunction with a tag is in proximity to an impedance analyzer and a reader that constitute a measurement device. The at least one sensor is configured to determine at least one parameter of the solution. The tag is configured to provide a digital ID associated with the sensor, where the container is in proximity to the reader and an impedance analyzer. The impedance analyzer is configured to send and receive a given range of frequencies from the sensor, based on the parameter and calculate parameter changes based on the response.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanine dyes that are useful for labelling and detecting biological and other materials. The dyes are of formula (I): in which at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 R11, R12, R13 and R14 is -L-M or -L-P, where L is a linking group, M is a target bonding group and P is a conjugated component, and at least one of groups R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 comprises fluorine. The use of cyanine dyes substituted by fluorine and having additional substitution with three or more sulphonic acid groups for labelling biological target molecules results in a labelled product in which there is reduced dye-dye aggregation and improved photostability, compared with cyanine dyes having no such substitutions.

Abstract: A system for performing automated cell screening in drug discovery, includes an automated microscope, a fast autofocus device, and a digital imaging system. Processes are implemented in software through which relevant cellular material is segmented and quantified with minimal user interaction. Improvements in the following areas: known methods for image processing are implemented in such a way that automated segmentation is achieved; sets of known measurements (pixel counting, etc.) are implemented as methods which demonstrate aspects of biology in a reliable fashion; components for automated positioning, focusing, imaging and processing of a multiplicity of samples are integrated as systems within which the segmentation and measurement methods may be mounted; and components and methods are adapted into systems which yield more highly automated and more rapid cell screening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of antibodies from one or more impurities in a liquid, which process comprises contacting said liquid with a first chromatography resin comprised of a support to which multi-modal ligands have been immobilised to adsorb the antibodies to the resin, wherein each multi-modal ligand comprises at least one cation-exchanging group and at least one aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system; adding an eluent to release the antibodies from the resin; and contacting the eluate so obtained with a second chromatography resin. In one embodiment, the ring-forming atoms of the aromatic or heteroaromatic entity are selected from the group consisting of C, S and O, and the cation exchanging group is a weak cation exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-destructive and dynamic means for determining the cell cycle position of living cells. The invention provides stable cell lines which can be used to determine the cell cycle position, together with methods for measuring the effect of a test agent on the cell cycle position.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescence methods for measuring enzyme activity, in particular enzyme cleaving and joining activities. The invention also relates to fluorogenic substrates which are useful for measuring enzyme activity and as in vitro and in vivo imaging probes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for generating an image are disclosed. A processor may generate a first output image based on a plurality of input images and remove an artefact, if any, from the first output image to generate a second output image. For example, in an embodiment, the processor may calculate a contribution of the artefact to image intensity values and subtract the calculated contribution from the image intensity values. In another embodiment, the processor may delete a predetermined portion of a transform image representing transform data obtained by applying an image transform to the first output image, thereby modifying the transform data, and may generate a non-transform image based on the modified transform data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating antibodies from other compound(s) in a liquid sample, wherein a mobile phase comprising said sample is contacted with a multi-modal separation matrix to adsorb undesired compounds while the antibodies remain free in the liquid, wherein the multi-modal separation matrix comprises first groups, which are capable of interacting with negatively charged sites of the target compounds, and second groups, which are capable of at least one interaction other than charge-charge interaction with said target compounds. The invention also relates to a chromatography column packed with the above-described multi-modal separation matrix and a filter having such multi-modal groups adsorbed to its surface.

Abstract: A chromatography column and method of maintenance is described which does not require the use of a hoist or crane for disassembly. The method provides improved operator safety by reducing the need for the operator to work below a suspended or supported load within the column. Furthermore, the removal or replacement of column components is facilitated by providing access to the interior of the column and by the provision of a handling device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an alkali-stable protein, wherein at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine or aspartic acid, which mutation confers an increased chemical stability at pH-values of up to about 13-14 compared to the parental molecule. The protein can for example be derived from a protein capable of binding to other regions of the immunoglobulin molecule than the complementarity determining regions (CDR), such as protein A, and preferably the B-domain of Staphylococcal protein A. The invention also relates to a matrix for affinity separation, which comprises an immunoglobulin-binding protein as ligand coupled to a solid support, in which protein ligand at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing a chromatography column which is packed with a separation matrix, which method comprises passing a superheated aqueous liquid through the packing of the column to obtain at least one substantially sterile packed chromatography column. The method may also comprise a preceding heating. In the most advantageous embodiment, the superheated aqueous liquid is passed in a substantially uniform flow through the packing of the column, resulting in a sterility of the packed column.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR). The invention also provides a method for identifying and measuring the effect that an agent has upon modulating the binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow cell for an ultrasonic flow meter comprising two transducers of ultrasonic waves wherein the two transducers are reversibly detachable from the flow cell. The flow cell with the transducers detached is sterilisable and is particularly suitable for use in disposable or single-use systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the fluorescence of a Cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group characterized by the reduction of the at least one NO2 group to NHOH or NH2 by the action of a nitroreductase. The cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group can be used as a substrate for detecting nitroreductase enzyme activity in a composition and allows for the use of a nitroreductase enzyme in an enzyme-reporter system for the detection of analytes, binding reactions or gene expression.

Abstract: The invention is a method of producing a cross-linked polymeric support having a multimodal pore structure, which comprises providing a degradable initiator molecule; providing an organic phase comprising said initiator molecule, radically polymerizable monomers and a porogen in a solvent; providing an aqueous phase comprising a transition metal catalyst; suspension polymerization of the organic phase by adding a ligand, co-ordinating to the transition metal in the aqueous phase to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a primary pore structure and comprising initiator molecule; and subjecting the support obtained to degrading conditions to remove the initiator molecule from within the support to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a secondary pore structure in addition to the primary pore structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of separating nucleic acid molecules from contaminants, such as proteins, in a solution and isolating one or more desired nucleic acid molecules, which method comprises the following steps (a) providing an aqueous adsorption solution, which includes nucleic acids and a salt that forms lyotropic ions when dissolved; (b) passing said solution over a matrix to adsorb the nucleic acids onto the matrix, said matrix including an aromatic ring moiety and at least one thioether moiety; (c) passing an aqueous eluent over said matrix to desorb the nucleic acid molecules therefrom, which eluent includes a salt that forms lyotropic ions and a gradient of increasing ionic strength originating from an increasing concentration of a salt that forms less lyotropic ions when dissolved than the ones present in said aqueous adsorption solution; and (d) isolating a fraction comprising the desired nucleic acid molecules.