Abstract: An optical measurement device for measurement of chemical and/or biological samples comprises an illumination means (16) for illuminating the sample (20) to be measured. Further, an optics means (22) is provided for imaging a sample area in an image field (10). A first partial area (12) of the image field is covered by a first detector (28), and a second partial area (14) of the image field (10) is covered by a second detector (34). Thus, it is possible to change between two measurement methods without switching or to perform two measurements on a sample at the same time.

Abstract: A method involves the detection of enzyme-catalyzed cleavage reactions using modular chemical compounds as substrates for the enzymes involved, and detection is effected by use of molecular-weight-sensitive methods.

Abstract: A data processing method with which especially image data, generated by an image recording means such as a CCD camera, may be processed, comprises a data distributing means. The data are transmitted from the recording means to a manager of the data distributing means. The manager selects a suitable agent related to an evaluating means. Whether an agent is suitable depends on suitability parameters of the evaluating means. For example, suitability parameters are the availability and the type of software stored on the evaluating means. After selection of a suitable agent the data are transmitted between an agent and the corresponding evaluating means via an interposed agent and another manager (24). The data transmission is always done in standardized data containers.

Abstract: A sample carrier for receiving chemical and/or biological samples includes a receiving part (30) provided with deepened portions (32) for receiving the samples, and a base part (38) closing the deepened portions (32), the base part (38) being connected to the receiving part (30) at connection sites (37) by means of a bonding agent, characterized in that the receiving part (30) and/or the base part (38) are provided, at the connection sites (37), with at least one recess (44,52,60) for receiving excess bonding agent. Thus, the sample carrier includes a receiving part having recesses for receiving samples. The recesses are sealed by means of the base part. The base part is glued to the receiving part. The receiving part has a slit-shaped recess for receiving excess glue in order to prevent glue from spreading to the outside of the base part.

Abstract: A method for analyzing chemical and/or biological samples comprises the production of a particle image (42) of at least one particle included in the sample. Subsequently, a particle surface (10) of the at least one particle included in the particle image (42) is divided into particle zones (14,18). According to the invention, zone-dependent particle data are subsequently acquired in different states (z1, z2, z3), which then can be evaluated.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of the adhesion of particles, in particular cells and cellular components in solution to surfaces, characterized in that to the solution is added at least one polyalcohol.

Abstract: A device for the measurement of chemical and/or biological samples, in particular by means of luminescence spectroscopy, comprises an irradiation unit, a sample receiver, at least one optical unit and a detector unit. The color marker in the sample, which contains at least one color marker, is stimulated by irradiation into producing luminescence and gives off light. The light emitted by the color markers is detected by detectors in the detector unit. According to the invention, the measurement results may be improved by the irradiation unit generating pulsed irradiation. The irradiation unit is thus preferably controlled by a control unit in such a way that the irradiation pulses impinge on the sample in a temporal sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for examination of chemical and/or biological samples, comprises a sample support (14) for receiving the samples (16). Further, the apparatus comprises an objective (10) for observation of the sample (16) through a sample support wall (18). A gap (22) is formed between an outer surface (20) of the sample support wall (18) and an exit lens (12) of the objective (10). According to the invention, an automatic supply device (24) for automatic supply of immersion medium (46) is provided between the outer surface (20) of the sample support wall (18) and the exit lens (12) of the objective (10).

Abstract: In a method for analyzing a chemical and/or biological sample, particularly in high- and medium throughput screening systems, an observation beam (12) is focused in an observation volume (24) of the sample. For analyzing the sample, the observation beam (12) is moved in the sample. According to the inventions, to improve the quality of the measurement, the observation beam is moved continuously in the observation volume (24).

Abstract: Described is a fluidic microsystem (100) comprising at least one channel (10) through which a particle suspension can flow; and first and second electrode devices (40, 60) which are arranged on first and second channel walls (21, 31) for generating electrical alternating-voltage fields in the channel (10); wherein the first electrode device (40) for field shaping in the channel comprises at least one first structure element (41, 51); and the second electrode device (60) comprises an area-like electrode layer (61) with a closed second electrode surface which comprises a second passivation layer (70); wherein the effective electrode surface of the first structure element (41, 51), of which element (41, 51) there is at least one, is smaller than the second electrode surface; and the second passivation layer (70) is a closed layer which completely covers the second electrode layer (61).

Abstract: A coupling device (100), particularly for liquid-tight coupling of at least one liquid line (10) to a fluidic system (20), is described, which comprises: at least one sealing device (30), which is implemented to receive an end region (11) of the liquid line (10) and has a first sealing surface (31) for placement on an external surface (22) of the fluidic system in such a way that the end of the liquid line (10) is laterally enclosed by the first sealing surface (31) and points toward an opening (23) in the external surface (22), and a clamping device (40), using which the sealing device (30) may be pressed against the fluidic system (20), so that the first sealing surface (31) produces a liquid-tight connection with the external surface (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel tension-dependent potassium channel protein Kv6.2 (SEQ ID NO:1). The Kv6.2 gene is expressed preferably in the myocardium or in the hippocampus. Novel functional heteromultimeric potassium channels having high affinity with propafenone are formed in conjunction with subunit Kv2.1. According to the invention, said novel potassium channels are used in test systems which are suitable of identifying substances modulating, opening or closing the Kv2,1/Kv6.2 channels and which can be used as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method for characterizing fluorescent molecules or other particles in samples comprising the steps of: a) monitoring fluctuating intensity of fluorescence emitted by the molecules or other particles in at least one measurement volume of a non-uniform spatial brightness profile by measuring numbers of photon counts in primary time intervals by a single or more photon detectors, b) determining at least one distribution of numbers of photon counts, {circumflex over (P)}(n), from the measured numbers of photon counts, c) determining physical quantities characteristic to said particles by fitting the distribution of numbers of photon counts {circumflex over (P)}(n), ?wherein the fitting procedure involves calculation of a theoretical distribution function of the number of photon counts P(n) through its generating function, defined as G ? ( ? ? ) = ? n ? ? ? n ? P ? ( n ) .

Abstract: The method according to the invention permits a selected withdrawal of one or a few molecularly disperse or cellular components of a system, such as molecules, molecular complexes, vesicles, micelles, cells, optionally together with an associated volume element V having a size of 10?9 l?V?10?18 l from a larger sample volume. The selected transfer of the sought component to another environment is effected by defining the space and time of withdrawal by means of a signal correlating with the small component to be withdrawn. The method is particularly useful for the withdrawal of non-abundant components the existence of which can be detected in a preceding step by a scanning process. The method is also useful for the withdrawal of per se unidentified components.

Abstract: For sample picking on a cryosubstrate, on which multiple cryopreserved samples are each positioned at preselected sample positions, individual samples are selectively separated mechanically or thermally from the cryosubstrate and transferred to a target substrate.

Abstract: A method for identifying one or a small number of molecules, especially in a dilution of ≦1 &mgr;M, using laser excited FCS with measuring times ≦500 ms and short diffusion paths of the molecules to be analyzed, wherein the measurement is performed in small volume units of preferably ≦10−14 l, by determining material-specific parameters which are determined by luminescence measurements of molecules to be examined.

Abstract: A process for treating a biological or synthetic object subjected to an electrical field in a surrounding liquid medium for a predetermined pulse time (t1), the electrical field being formed by at least two electrodes including actuating at least once during the pulse time (t1) each of the electrodes as an anode and as a cathode, to cause at each electrode a polarity reversal and alternating electrolytic increases and reductions in pH of at least a portion of the liquid medium, subjecting the object during the pulse time (t1) to a number of electrical partial pulses which have a frequency in the range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz and which possess partial pulse durations, with sequentially reversing polarity or field direction such that the partial pulses possess sequentially varying partial pulse durations (t11, t12), pulse forms, and/or pulse amplitudes, and selecting the partial pulse durations (t11, t12), pulse forms, and/or pulse amplitudes such that, due to the electrolytic increases and reductions in pH value, su

Abstract: For manipulation of particles in a fluidic microsystem (15) in which the particles are moved in a predetermined reference direction in a suspension liquid, the microsystem (15) is closed off at least at its end (17a, 17b) pointing to the reference direction. The particles move under the influence of centrifugal forces and/or gravitational forces in the suspension liquid which is stationary in relation to the microsystem (15), with the centrifugal forces and/or gravitational forces essentially extending parallel to the reference direction. Furthermore, the particles in the microsystem (15) are exposed to deflection forces whose direction differs from that of the reference direction. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In a method for positioning or controlling the motion of an object in a multi-electrode arrangement for forming a field cage, the basic potentials for driving the electrodes are modulated with drive potentials in such a way that the object position in the field cage changes in relation to a predetermined position or path. A device for arranging objects at predetermined positions in a multi-electrode arrangement has a switching device by which basic potentials, produced by generator means, can be modulated according to predetermined drive potentials (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method characterizes fluorescent molecules or other particles in samples by a) monitoring fluctuating intensity of fluorescence emitted by the molecules or other particles in at least one measurement volume of a non-uniform spatial brightness profile by measuring numbers of photon counts in primary time intervals by a single or more photon detectors, b) determining at least one distribution function of numbers of photon counts, {circumflex over (P)}(n), from the measured numbers of photon counts, c) determining physical quantities characteristic to the particles by fitting the experimentally determined distribution function of numbers of photon counts, wherein the fitting procedure involves calculation of a theoretical distribution function of the number of photon counts P(n) through its generating function, defined as G ⁡ ( ζ _ ) = ∑ n ⁢