Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of neutralizing apatite surfaces, for example during chromatography and before protein elution.

Abstract: Electrotransfer is performed in an instrument that receives electroblotting cassettes and that contains an integrated power supply, controls, and a display that allows the user to monitor and control each of a plurality of cassettes individually through electrical contacts within the housing that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the cassettes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of generating physical analog polypeptides, and polypeptides generated employing the methods of the invention, that have the same amino acid composition of a reference protein, but have an unrelated primary sequence. The invention further provides compositions and methods employing such proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. The method involves mixing an RNA template with a composition having a reverse transcriptase, a DNA polymerase and a RT inhibition reducer. The RT inhibition reducer can be Sso7d, Sac7d, Sac7e, Sso7e, AluI methylase, suramin, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxycytosine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxyadenine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxythymine or poly(rA)(dT). The mixing forms a mixture that is incubated under conditions sufficient to synthesize a DNA molecule complementary to all or a portion of the RNA template, thereby amplifying the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for the mixing of small volumes of fluid by coalescence of multiple emulsions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for using apatite chromatography supports to dissociate and remove contaminants that are complexed to biological products. The invention further provides materials and methods for dissociating aggregations of target biological molecules or improperly folded target molecules to improve purification of the target molecule.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the setup and visualization of a configurable process, for example a chromatography experiment to be conducted using a configurable chromatography system. A user interface displays category regions representing sections of a process, and displays a plurality of selectable items representing components appropriate for placement in the category regions. A user interface control causes selection of one of the selectable items and placement of the selected item into one of the category regions, to define a selected process configuration. The user interface control may be a scrolling control that causes a set of selectable items appropriate for placement in the respective category region to scroll through the category region. When the computer displaying the user interface is also connected to the system being configured, the user interface may also facilitate setup, monitoring, and control of the resulting process.

Abstract: An imaging assembly and processing system that includes a sample platform having a target region which can hold a sample, where the sample can be marked with fluorescent or phosphorescent markers. The imaging assembly can have an excitation light module proximate to the sample platform that emits light to excite the markers, and a lens module positioned to receive emission light from excited markers in target region. At least one series filter assembly or interference filter can be arranged in front of, behind, or both in front of and behind the lens module. The assembly includes a light sensor and a processor and imaging module configured to process data captured by the light sensor. Images of the sample are generated based on the emission light from the sample that transmit through and are filtered by the lens assembly and series filter assembly or interference filter.

Abstract: An improved calibration process for a medical testing machine. The machine automatically recognizes that a package of calibration material has been inserted into it, and performs a calibration sequence to ascertain a calibration parameter to be used in performing future tests with the medical testing machine. The calibration package may include machine-readable indicators that the package is to be used for calibration, and of a calibration setpoint of a calibration material in the package. A calibration material may be stored in a lyophilized state in the package, and the medical testing machine may automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collection sled for collecting a waste droplet stream 122 in a waste stream catcher that is located below sample collectors. Contamination of collected samples is reduced by collecting the waste droplet stream at a position that is below the sample collectors. A waste trough is provided that gets progressively larger in a downward direction, which prevents backsplash of waste fluid from the collection cavity. Standard sample collector tubes, as well as 8-well strips and microscope slides can be used with the collection sled to collect sample particles.

Abstract: Hand cast gels, and solutions for their preparation, are described.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for performing assays. These systems may involve separating sample components by partitioning them into droplets or other partitions, amplifying or otherwise reacting the components within the droplets, detecting the amplified components, or characteristics thereof, and/or analyzing the resulting data, among others.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to microscopy systems and the illumination of target regions of the microscopy system with an annular illumination structure. The annular illumination structure can partially illuminate by quadrant, and can include a plurality of LEDs as light sources located in the annular structure that surround the lens or camera of an optical imaging and capture system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus make a determination of a level of integrity of a sample of biomolecules. For example, the determination of the integrity of RNA in a sample may be done in a fast and reproducible manner, such that the user can be assured of accuracy of a test (e.g. quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR) on the sample and compare results of different samples. The determination of integrity of an RNA sample is performed by comparing a size profile to reference size profiles (degradation standards) obtained from degradation over different lengths of times. As the reference scale of the level of integrity is derived from the actual degradation that occurs in a sample, high accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency is provided.

Abstract: Rapid and uniform temperature changes in the wells of a microplate or any thin-walled plate that contains an array of reaction wells or sample receptacles are achieved by the use of heating and cooling elements with a vapor chamber interposed between such elements and the microplate. The upper surface of the vapor chamber and the underside of the sample plate in certain embodiments are complementary in shape, i.e., they have identical but oppositely directed contours in the areas around each of the sample receptacles, to provide continuous surface contact along the surface of each receptacle. In other embodiments, an intermediary plate is placed between the vapor chamber and the well plate, with the top surface of the intermediary plate being complementary in shape to the underside of the well plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous transfer buffer that provides superior efficiency in transferring polypeptides of a broad range of molecular weight from a matrix used in electrophoresis to another immobilized surface. Also disclosed are electrophoretic methods and devices in which the aqueous transfer solution of this invention is used.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions with polymerase activity and methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides for methods of sequencing and performing polymerase reactions using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the processivity of the polymerase.

Abstract: Adherent cells bearing characteristics that are detectable only in the adherent state can be sorted on the basis of these characteristics independently of their adherent state, by applying a transformable label to the entire population of cells, both those bearing the characteristics of interest and those not, in their adherent state and identifying the locations of the cells of interest on the adherent surface. The cells of interest, or all cells other than those of interest, are then selectively treated to transform the labels and achieve differentiation between the cells of interest and the remaining cells. All cells are then released from the adherent state and sorted in the same manner as non-adherent cells but on the basis of whether the labels are transformed or not transformed.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for detection of spaced droplets.