Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of certain glycosyltransferase variants having N-terminal truncation deletions. Contrary to previous findings certain truncations were found to exhibit sialidase enzymatic activity, particularly a variant of human sialyltransferase (hST6Gal-I) with a truncation deletion involving the first 89 N-terminal amino acids of the respective wild-type polypeptide. A fundamental finding documented in the present disclosure is that there exists a variant of this enzyme which is capable of catalyzing transfer of a glycosyl moiety as well as hydrolysis thereof. Thus, disclosed is a specific exemplary variant of mammalian glycosyltransferase, nucleic acids encoding the same, methods and means for recombinantly producing the variant of mammalian glycosyltransferase and use thereof, particularly for sialylating in a quantitatively controlled manner terminal acceptor groups of glycan moieties being part of glycoproteins such as immunoglobulins.

Abstract: A cartridge for an automatic analyzer, formed from a cover and carrier structure, is operable for rotation about an axis and has at least one container with at least one reservoir containing at least one fluid. Each container may rotate about the axis within a cavity and relative to the carrier structure. A piercing structure opens a seal of each reservoir when the container rotates relative to the carrier structure. Each container and each cavity has a frictional element that mate and cause friction. Each container has an engaging surface which mates with an engaging surface of a rotational actuator that applies torque to rotate and open the container via the piercing structure. A fluidic structure of the cartridge processes a biological sample into a processed biological sample and enables via a measurement structure measurement of the processed biological sample. A duct is between the cavity and the fluidic structure.

Abstract: A vertical conveying device for the transport of sample container carriers having sample tubes received therein between a bottom level and a top level of a sample distribution system is presented. The vertical conveying device comprises a plurality of conveying surfaces which are movable along a circulating path. A sample distribution system having such a vertical conveying device and to a laboratory automation system having such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The invention also relates to compounds, which are useful for intra-molecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising the oxidized form of a carbaNADH-based first fluorophore and a second fluorophore that is excitable at a wave-length of between 445 to 540 nm and that has an emission maximum of greater than 560 nm, and methods, kits and compositions related thereto.

Abstract: A transport device for receiving a sample container and for transporting the sample container on a transport surface, the transport device being capable of being moved magnetically over the transport surface and, further, having a cooling device is presented. A sample distribution system comprising such a transport device and to a laboratory automation system is also presented.

Abstract: A dispatching device for dispatching sample containers received in respective sample container carriers from a transport surface to an external position and/or from the external position to the transport surface is presented. The dispatching device has a tube and a capsule, a conveying surface with an electromagnetic actuator being formed in the capsule. A sample distribution system with such a dispatching device and a laboratory automation system with such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The analyte concentration, such as glucose, in a human or animal body is measured with an implantable sensor that generates measurement signals. The measurement signals are compressed through statistical techniques to produced compressed measurement data that can is easier to process and communicate. A base station carries the implantable sensor along with a signal processor, memory, and a transmitter. A display device is also disclosed that can receive the compressed measurement data from the base station for further processing and display.

Abstract: A system and method for locating sample vessels are presented. The system comprises a holder having an array of positions for holding sample vessels. An information tag is attached to the holder for storing and/or retrieving machine-readable information related to the positions of sample vessels with respect to the array of positions. The system further comprises a handheld device capable of reading information on the information tag. The handheld device has an input for inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel and an output for outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel with respect to the array of positions based on information stored in the information tag. The method comprises inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel into the handheld device, reading information stored in the holder's information tag with the handheld device; and outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel.

Abstract: A robotic device is presented. The robotic device comprises a stationary base, a first arm rotationally mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis (I), a second arm rotationally mounted on the first arm for rotation about a second axis (II), in which second axis (II) is parallel to the first axis (I), a first driving device for driving the first arm to rotate about the first axis (I), and a second arm drive unit with a second driving device for driving the second arm to rotate about the second axis (I). The first driving device and the second driving devices are mounted stationary at the base. A linear drive unit moves the first arm and the second arm in a direction parallel to the first axis (I) and the second axis (II). The linear drive unit comprises a third driving device mounted stationary at the base.

Abstract: Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes from about 0.3 ?l to less than 1 ?l and test times from about 3.5 to about 6 seconds after detection of the sample. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action.

Abstract: A device for container storing is presented. The device comprises storage with at least one storing level including a pipetting storing level for fluid pipetting. Each storing level has storing positions having a container holder to detachably hold at least one container. A handler is movable with respect to the storage for transferring containers with respect to the storing positions. A storing position of the pipetting storing level includes a flat spring to bias a container against the container holder. The flat spring has a through hole to provide a pipette access to a lid of the container. A system for pipetting is also presented, comprising the device and a pipettor movable with respect to the pipetting storing level with at least one pipette for pipetting contained in a container stored in the pipetting storing level. The pipette has a pipette tip to penetrate a lid of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies against the TpN17 antigen of Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample wherein a peptide sequence of Vibrio cholerae lipoprotein 15 (VcLp15) or a partial sequence thereof is used as a reagent for reduction of interference, i.e. for minimizing false positive results. In addition the invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a VcLp15 peptide sequence and a chaperone, to their use as an additive in an immunoassay for said reduction of interferences and for minimizing false positive results and to a reagent kit for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens in an isolated sample comprising a TpN17 antigen and said VcLp15-chaperone fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for providing access control to a function of an analyzer is presented. A user's log-in data is received from a first data entry terminal. Information descriptive of a position of the first data entry terminal is obtained. It is determined whether the position of the first data entry terminal is within a physical operating (PO) area of the analyzer. A user activatable position sensitive (PS) GUI element is displayed on the first data entry terminal if the position of the first data entry terminal is determined to be within the PO area. The activatable PS GUI element triggers, upon activation, the execution of the function. The execution of the function comprises the execution of a physical action by the analyzer. The display of the user activatable PS GUI element is otherwise prohibited or a non-activatable PS GUI element indicative of the function is displayed.

Abstract: An automated system and method for processing vessels containing biological samples are presented. The system comprises vessel holders, a transport medium for transporting the vessel holders between the components of the system, a work cell for processing, a storage module for empty vessel holders, wherein the storage module is connected to the transport medium, a robotic manipulator for engaging and/or disengaging the vessels with empty vessel holders, an empty vessel holder transfer unit for introducing empty vessel holders into or retrieving them from the storage module, and an empty vessel holder detection unit, including an empty vessel holder detector for discriminating between filled and empty vessel holders as well as a transfer initiator configured to initiate the introduction or re-introduction of an empty vessel holder detected in or on the transport medium into the storage module by the empty vessel holder transfer unit.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer provided with a roller and a reagent container shoulder presser at the position where an operator inserts a reagent container into the automatic analyzer. The reagent container is pushed while the lid of the reagent container is made to touch the upper side of the roller and the shoulder presser is made to touch the shoulder of the reagent container, and the application of upward force to the lid causes the lid of the reagent container to be half open, after which the reagent container is inserted in the analyzer.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the container carriers and a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure provide novel variants of T7 RNA polymerase. Embodiments of T7 variants, according to the instant invention, include a Cysteine-Serine substitution on position 723 of the amino acid sequence of the T7 polypeptide. Embodiments of T7 variants according to the instant invention have a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzymatic activity and a reduced tendency to form intramolecular homodimers by way of oxidizing thiol groups. The amino acid substitutions within the T7 variants disclosed herein impact minimally, if at all, the RNA polymerase activity of the T7 polypeptide. Further, the mutations of the disclosed embodiments may optionally be combined with mutations which provide enhanced thermostability compared to the wild-type reference.

Abstract: A sample distribution system having a transport surface and sample container carriers arranged thereupon is disclosed. A dirt detection device for limiting the effect of dirt is provided.