Abstract: Methods comprising the use of photoactivated chemical bleaching for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a biological sample including multiple targets, binding at least one probe to one or more target present in the sample, and detecting a signal from the probe. The method further includes the steps of contacting the sample comprising the bound probe with an electron transfer reagent, as well as an optional additive which prevents target modification during photoactivated chemical bleaching, and irradiating the sample, thereby initiating a photoreaction that substantially inactivates the probe by photoactivated chemical bleaching. The method further includes the steps of binding at least one probe to one or more target present in the sample, and detecting a signal from the probe. The process of binding, defecting and bleaching may be iteratively repeated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable container comprising a side wall, top and bottom, wherein the side wall and the bottom comprise a flexible material, wherein the side wall, top and bottom are joined together to define the container with an interior compartment for keeping a fluid inside the container. The bottom of the container comprises at least one portion of rigid or semi-rigid material comprising a folding means that enables folding of the bottom. Thus an easy way of folding the bottom of the container is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument suitable for processing cells for example culturing, concentrating or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump; and a disposable processing kit complementary to the mechanical elements within the housing and comprising a fluid circuit including a fluid reservoir and plural fluid paths capable of carrying fluid flow caused by said pump(s), the instrument further including a mechanism for determining the quantity, or change in quantity of the fluid in the reservoir resulting from said fluid flow, the instrument yet further comprising a controller operable to control at least the pump and operable to perform a fault determination process, which includes the steps of determining the expected flow rate of said pump(s) calculated from the speed of the pump(s) and comparing that expected flow with the change in quantity of the fluid in the reservoir as determined by said mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the preparation of compounds useful in in vivo therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method for the synthesis of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and also methods for the preparation of metal chelates of DOTA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a syringe for filtering a liquid comprising: a housing with a plunger slidable therein; an inlet for taking in liquid from a liquid source into the housing; an outlet for expelling liquid from the inside of the housing; a filter; and a rotatable valve member being rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein rotation of the valve member to the first position permits liquid that is drawn through the inlet into the housing by pulling the plunger to bypass the filter, and rotation of the valve member to the second position forces liquid that is expelled from the inside of the housing by pushing the plunger to pass through the filter and out of the outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device and method for filtering liquids. In conventional devices, a liquid is placed in a vial, and a plunger, having a filter membrane located at one end, is depressed into the vial, causing the liquid to pass through the filter membrane into the interior of the plunger, where it is stored until required for further processing. However, such plungers are typically made of a plastics material. It is undesirable to store the filtered liquid in contact with plastics for extended periods of time, as contaminants may leach from the plastics material into the sample. In embodiments of the present invention, a filtrate receptacle made from a different material to the plunger, such as a glass material, is located in the interior of the plunger and the filtered liquid collected in the filtrate receptacle after passing through the filter membrane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for individually assessing the cleanness of at least one of an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support in a process column (1). The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a process column (1) comprising an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support, a column chamber, a movable adaptor (5), an upper outlet (6) and a lower outlet (7); b) conveying liquid through one of the lower (3) and upper (2) bed supports, e.g. by moving the adaptor (5) downwards at a predetermined rate with one of the upper and lower outlets closed and the other open to force liquid through one of the lower and upper bed supports, and; c) measuring the differential pressure over the bed support through which liquid passes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to axial flow chromatography columns, methods for separating one or more analytes in a liquid by the use of such columns, and systems employing such columns. The column comprises a first port and a second port, the first port and said second port being at essentially the same level or elevation above the level of the bed space on the chromatography column.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an interaction parameter for the interaction between a plurality of analytes and a ligand using a biosensor, which comprises the steps of: A: providing a sensor surface having the ligand immobilized thereto, B: contacting the sensor surface with the plurality of analytes, C: registering a sensor response curve for each one of the plurality of analytes, D: extracting interaction parameters from each sensor response curve, E: evaluating each sensor response curve according to one or more binding behavior criteria, F: displaying the interaction parameters in a diagram, wherein interaction parameters relating to response curves meeting a binding behavior criteria are graphically distinguishable from interaction parameters relating to response curves meeting another or no binding behavior criteria.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: A filter holding device (1; 41; 75; 81) arranged for providing at least one filter (7; 43a, 43b; 85) inside a flexible bag (3; 71), said filter holding device comprising attaching means (19a-d, 21a-d; 79; 83) for attaching the filter holding device to an inner surface of the flexible bag such that the at least one filter held by the filter holding device is provided at a distance from the inner surface of the flexible bag.

Abstract: A chromatography system with a main column comprising a chromatography resin, a first guard column and a second guard column, wherein the first guard column is connected to a first end of the main column, the second guard column is connected to a second end of the main column and the bed volumes of said first and second guard columns are each less than about 50% of the bed volume of the main column.

Abstract: Methods and devices for directing a waste fluid from a radiopharmaceutical synthesis system to a waste vessel are provided. In one example, the method includes serially connecting a primary waste vessel to a secondary waste vessel with a fluid conduit, including a waste valve connected to the fluid conduit extending between the primary waste vessel and secondary waste vessel; opening the waste valve so as to allow fluid communication between cavities of the primary and secondary waste vessels; drawing a low pressure in both waste vessels; closing the waste valve so as to fluidically isolate the secondary waste vessel from the primary waste vessel, discharging the waste fluid through a pump valve into the primary waste vessel, and opening the waste valve to evacuate the waste fluid from the primary waste vessel into the secondary waste vessel.

Abstract: An Fc-binding polypeptide of improved alkali stability, comprising a mutant of an Fc-binding domain of Staphylococcus Protein A (SpA), as defined by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO 26 or SEQ ID NO 27, wherein at least the alanine residue at the position corresponding to position 42 in SEQ ID NO:4-7 has been mutated to arginine and/or wherein at least the aspartic acid residue at the position corresponding to position 37 in SEQ ID NO:4-7 has been mutated to glutamic acid.

Abstract: A method for stem or progenitor cell culture. More precisely, the invention relates to a method for cell culture using one or more I?I (inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor or Inter-alpha inhibitor) protein(s) or part(s) thereof as a component in a cell culture media or a coating on a cell culture surface material. Furthermore the invention relates to a cell culture media and a cell culture coating/matrix provided with one or more I?I proteins(s) or part(s) thereof.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of separating a biomolecule from at least one other component in a liquid, comprising a step of contacting said liquid with a separation matrix comprising a solid support and polymer chains bound to said solid support. The polymer chains comprise units derived from a first monomer of structure CH2?CH-L-X, where L is a covalent bond or an alkyl ether or hydroxysubstituted alkyl ether chain comprising 2-6 carbon atoms, and X is a sulfonate or phosphonate group.

Abstract: A chromatography lab system comprising a cooling compartment arranged to hold both fraction collector devices and sample containers, whereby the cooling compartment comprises an identifying device which is arranged to identify the fraction collector devices such that fractions from the chromatography are collected only in the fraction collector devices.

Abstract: Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing (20) and two or more fluid handling units (26) arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section (30) and an internal non fluidics section (32), and wherein the housing (20) comprises a liquid handling panel (22) with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components (26) such that the external fluidics section (30) is separated from the non fluidics section (32) by the liquid handling panel (22).