Abstract: A fluid processing apparatus includes a first fluid processing unit and a second fluid processing unit. A fluid unit is fluidically coupled to the first fluid processing unit and includes a first buffering unit configured for buffering fluid, and/or a mask flow source configured for providing a mask fluid or a flow thereof. A first coupling point is fluidically coupled between the first fluid processing unit and the fluid unit. A modulation unit is configured, selectively, for withdrawing fluid from the first coupling point, or for transferring withdrawn fluid into the second fluid processing unit. The apparatus may be utilized for chromatography.

Abstract: A configurable injector for injecting a fluidic sample in a separation path of a sample separation apparatus includes a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample to be injected into the separation path, a valve arrangement fluidically couplable with the separation path, fluidically coupled with the sample accommodation volume, and being controllable for injecting the fluidic sample into the separation path, an input interface configured for receiving input data indicative of an injection profile of an injector to be emulated by the configurable injector, and a control unit configured for controlling the configurable injector, in particular the valve arrangement, so that the configurable injector is operated in accordance with the injection profile to thereby emulate the injector to be emulated.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inducing CRISPR/Cas-based gene regulation (e.g., genome editing or gene expression) of a target nucleic acid (e.g., target DNA or target RNA) in a cell. The methods include using modified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that enhance gene regulation of the target nucleic acid in a primary cell for use in ex vivo therapy or in a cell in a subject for use in in vivo therapy. Additionally, provided herein are methods for preventing or treating a genetic disease in a subject by administering a sufficient amount of a modified sgRNA to correct a mutation in a target gene associated with the genetic disease.

Abstract: A rocker valve for opening or closing a fluid connection includes a valve chamber into which at least one opening feeds, a pivotally mounted rocker switch, and a membrane surface located between the rocker switch and the opening. By pivoting the rocker switch, the opening can be fluidically opened or closed relative to the valve chamber. The rocker valve further includes a sealing element that is located between the membrane surface and the opening when the rocker switch closes the opening relative to the valve chamber.

Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method of automatically identifying the presence of one or more elements in a sample via optical emission spectroscopy.

Abstract: A vacuum scroll pump having an inlet portion having a pump inlet, and an exhaust portion having a pump outlet; a frame; a stationary scroll plate fixed to the frame and comprising a stationary plate comprising at least one stationary scroll blade; an orbiting scroll plate comprising an orbiting plate comprising at least one orbiting scroll blade projecting axially from a front side of the orbiting plate toward the stationary plate; a drive mechanism supported by the frame and operatively connected to the orbiting scroll plate so as to cause the orbiting scroll plate to orbit about a longitudinal axis of the vacuum scroll pump and thereby pump a process gas; a double-sided thrust bearing supporting the orbiting scroll plate; and a bellows which isolates the process gas from the drive mechanism.

Abstract: The presence of mild electrophiles, such as aldehydes, during the denaturation of glycoproteins or glycopeptides and subsequent enzymatic deglycosylation reduces artifacts in subsequent analyses of the glycans released from the glycoproteins or glycopeptides.

Abstract: A process of determining a modified separation method for a sample separation apparatus based on an initial separation method, including carrying out the initial separation method on a sample separation apparatus, detecting sensor data at the sample separation apparatus during carrying out the initial separation method, and carrying out a numerical analysis for determining the modified separation method by modifying at least one operation parameter of the initial separation method and by using the detected sensor data.

Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample in at least one selected one of a first sample separation apparatus and a second sample separation apparatus, includes a valve arrangement fluidically connectable to the first sample separation apparatus and the second sample separation apparatus, a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample, and a control unit configured for controlling the valve arrangement so that fluidic sample in the sample accommodation volume is selectively injectable into the selected first sample separation apparatus and/or second sample separation apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of assessing cytolysis of cancer cells are provided, which include: providing a cell-substrate impedance monitoring device operably connected to an impedance analyzer, adding target cells characterized as cancer cells to a well of the device adding effector cells to the well to form a test well, where the effector cells are immune cells obtained or derived from a same patient as the target cells; monitoring cell-substrate impedance of the test well before and after adding the effector cells and optionally deriving an impedance-based parameter from the impedance; and determining effectiveness of effector cell killing of the target cells by comparing the impedance or impedance-based curves over time.

Abstract: An implement for eliminating headspace in the testing space(s) (T9 or MPWell) of a test tube (T) or microtiter plate (MP), and methods of using such implements to measure oxygen concentration in a test sample. The implement projects into a test chamber (T9 or MPWell) to displace a portion of a fluid sample within the test chamber (T9 or MPWell) and has longitudinally extending grooves (109 and 229) through which the displaced fluidic content can be discharged from the test chamber (T9 or MPWell).

Abstract: A sampling unit for handling a sample fluid includes a sample container having a length and being configured for receiving and storing the sample fluid, and a sample segment dispatching unit configured for providing a plurality of individual sample packages of the fluidic sample, each contained in a respective volume segment along the length of the sample container, and for individually dispatching each of the plurality of individual sample packages for further processing in a fluid processing unit. The sample unit may be utilized, for example, for injecting the sample packages into a mobile phase stream for transporting to a sample separating unit such as a chromatography column.

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue is prepared removing paraffin from the tissue. The paraffin is removed by generating an electric field effective to produce plasma and direct charged species of the plasma to the paraffin, thereby rendering the paraffin responsive to the electric field. The electric field may move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrostatic force. Movement of the paraffin may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. Movement of the paraffin also may be assisted by applying a solvent and/or heat energy to the tissue.

Abstract: A system for electronically and optically monitoring biological samples, the system including: a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells configured to receive a plurality of biological samples, each of the wells having a set of electrodes and a transparent window on a bottom surface of the well that is free of electrodes; an illumination module configured to illuminate the wells; a cradle configured to receive the multi-well plate, the cradle having an opening on the bottom that exposes the transparent windows of the wells; and an optical imaging module movable across different wells of a same multi-well plate to capture images through the windows.

Abstract: Methods and kits for next-generation sequencing are disclosed. In some embodiments, the present methods comprise sequencing an insert and sequencing an insert without an intervening denaturation step. Decreased sequencing signal from insert sequences, the use of unlabeled nucleotides to form double stranded insert constructs, and the use of synthesis blocking nucleotides are also discussed.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling assembly includes a first balancing magnet positioned and surrounding drive magnets and, across a gap, a second balancing magnet and surrounding driven magnets. The drive magnets when rotated drive the driven magnets to rotate. The balancing magnets generate a repulsive force, which counterbalances an attractive force generated by the drive magnets and driven magnets. The assembly may be utilized in a pump for contactless coupling of a motor shaft to a pump shaft. The driven side of the assembly may be hermetically sealed, such as with a liquid crystal polymer boundary interposed in the gap.

Abstract: A sample separation apparatus includes a first-dimension separation unit for separating the fluidic sample, having a first-dimension outlet for outputting the fluidic sample or fractions thereof, and a second-dimension separation unit for further separating the fluidic sample or fractions thereof. The second-dimension separation unit has a second-dimension inlet fluidically coupled to the first-dimension outlet. A modulation unit, coupled between the first-dimension outlet and the second-dimension inlet at a first coupling point, is configured for withdrawing fluid from the first coupling point and for ejecting fluid into the first coupling point. A second-dimension fluid drive is coupled to a second coupling point located between the first-dimension outlet and the second-dimension inlet and downstream from the first coupling point.

Abstract: A discharge muffler for a fluid pump is formed by a cowling and a muffler insert configured to be removably inserted into a muffler receptacle of the cowling. The muffler insert includes a muffler inlet, a muffler outlet, and a plurality of muffler walls. The pump includes a pumping stage, a motor, and a drive shaft coupled between the pumping stage and the motor. When the muffler insert is inserted into the muffler receptacle, the muffler inlet communicates with the pumping stage, and the cowling and the muffler insert cooperatively define the discharge muffler. The discharge muffler is configured or effective to suppress noise generated by fluid discharged from the pumping stage.

Abstract: Mutant polymerases are provided that have improved ability to incorporate modified nucleotides, including 3?-OH unblocked reversible terminators. The mutant polymerases may be used in a variety of applications, such as for polynucleotide sequencing, primer extension reactions, and template-independent enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis.