Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention, disclose a biological sample holder comprising a stake of biologically inert material, and a biological sample storage medium fixed to or retained on the stake by a retaining portion. This provides a means of holding a biological sample which is easy to handle and suitable for automation, for example in an array of such holders, allowing processing of multiple biological samples in parallel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device for use in filtration of a liquid, and disclose: a liquid receptacle having an open end and a closed end; a plunger body moveable at least partially within the liquid receptacle along an axis said axis extending between the open and closed ends, said plunger including a filtrate chamber in fluid communication with the liquid receptacle via a fluid filtering path and a filter disposed in the filtering path, and the device further including a slidable seal for inhibiting or preventing fluid flow across the seal during said plunger movement; wherein said seal includes a first skirt depending from the plunger at one end of the first skirt, said first skirt having an outer surface which in use slidably and sealingly abuts the vial, and having, at least in an uncompressed state, a generally annular separation between the skirt and the plunger body, which separation extends generally parallel to the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of assembling an apparatus for holding biological samples. Conventionally, storage media are encased in a relatively thin flexible cardboard frame. Such constructions are vulnerable to damage from moisture and mechanical forces; these defects may subsequently cause problems for automated handling systems. In an embodiment, these defects are prevented by providing a pair of rigid frames, each frame comprising an aperture; placing a biological sample storage medium between the two frames so that the biological sample storage medium at least partly overlaps each of the apertures in the frames; and joining the two frames to fix the biological sample storage medium in place while allowing access to the biological sample storage medium via each of the apertures. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, the frames can be rigid and waterproof, and provide a robust storage media for biological samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and an in-situ method for detecting cellular DNA damage. The invention is particularly suited for use in Comet assays and for automation of such assays. The apparatus comprises a multiwell plate, the plate comprising an array of wells held in fixed relationship with each other and each well having an axis, side walls, and a base and wherein the well is provided with electrode pairs disposed therein; and wherein there is provided means for parallel connection of the electrode pairs to an external voltage supply.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system 100 for automated cellular assay data analysis. The system 100 comprises a virtual assay module (VAM) 115 operable to generate simulated images of cell responses to one or more stimuli. The system 100 also comprises a comparator module 116 operable to compare the actual and simulated images, and an analysis module 117 operable to quantify the differences between phenotypes represented by the actual and simulated images. Various aspects and embodiments of present invention may account for stochastic variations in the response of single cells, to provide additional useful information relating to, for example, toxological effects and/or for use as part of a feedback mechanism to refine dynamically a virtual assay model such that it is not limited by way of there being only inadequate static fitting expressions available.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus 100 for genotoxicological screening. The apparatus 100 comprises a processor 114 for analysing images. The processor 114 is configured to provide an identifier module 115 for identifying target cells in an image and a dynamically modifiable classifier module 116 for classifying the identified cells in accordance with one or more phenotype, such as micronuclei, for example. The processor 114 is also configured to provide a scoring module 117 for assigning respective confidence measurements to the classified cells. Various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, to provide for improved reliability and accuracy when performing automated high-throughput screening (HTS) drug assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the toxicity of an agent on a population of eukaryotic cells, particularly human cells. The cells may comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a DNA damage induced response element operably linked to a sequence encoding a reporter gene. The multiplex methods and kits provide means for distinguishing between genotoxic and cytotoxic agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are nitro-substituted squaraine reporter dyes and methods using such dyes for detecting nitroreductase enzyme activity and nitroreductase gene expression in cellular assays.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of analysing the motion of a biological object, particularly the motion of cultured organisms or cell cultures. The system and method of the invention may be used to determine the effect of a physical stimulus or a test agent on the motion of cell cultures. The system and method is of particular use in assessing the effect a chemical may have on the contractile motion of cardiomyocyte cell cultures.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention relates to a system 100 for automated extraction of multi-cellular physiological parameters. The system 100 comprises a morphogenesis module 160 for growing a plurality of cells, a monitoring unit 110 for monitoring the plurality of cells, a controller 140 for controlling the morphogenesis module 160 and the monitoring unit 110 to grow the plurality of cells and analyse the growth of the plurality of cells in order to determine the multi-cellular physiological parameters, the controller (140) further comprising a process modeling unit (146) for determining inter-cellular interactions in response to various process conditions. The multi-cellular physiological parameters may provide an optimised protocol for growing various tissue types. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method 200 for automated extraction of multi-cellular physiological parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds useful for measuring aromatase activity. The invention further provides methods for measuring aromatase activity and for screening test agents which modulate aromatase activity. A kit is also provided for use in such screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting agents that cause or may potentiate DNA damage, and to assays that may be employed in such methods. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting DNA damage in in vitro cultures of human cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and cell based assays for testing for the binding of a ligand to a human Ether-a-go-go-related (hERG) voltage-gated potassium ion channel protein in an enzyme complementation assay. The invention is of particular use in toxicological and drug screening, particularly for high throughput screening.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for predicting the effect of a chemical on a developmental pathway. In particular, the invention relates to methods and kits for predicting the toxicity of a chemical on human developmental pathways. The methods and kits of the invention can be used for predicting changes in a cellular biomap or a developmental pathway during human foetal development.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanine dyes that are useful for labelling and detecting biological and other materials. The dyes are of formula (I): in which groups R3 and R4 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R5 and R6 are attached to the Z2 ring structure, and n=1, 2 or 3; Z1 and Z2 independently represent the carbon atoms necessary to complete a one ring, or two-fused ring aromatic system; at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is the group -E-F where E is a single bond or a spacer group and F is a target bonding group; one or more of groups R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group —(CH2)k—W, where W is sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid and k is an integer from 1 to 10.