Abstract: A sample container carrier for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a magnetic element that is arranged such that a magnetic move force applied to the sample container carrier depends on an angularity. A laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the total amount and/or concentration of an analyte in the presence of a binding molecule as well as kits, compositions and uses relating thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a polypeptide suitable for detecting antibodies against Zika virus in an isolated biological sample having a Zika virus NS1 wing domain specific amino acid sequence and variants thereof, wherein no further Zika virus specific amino acid sequences are present in the polypeptide. This polypeptide does not immunologically cross-react with antibodies raised against structurally related antigens from tick-borne encephalitis virus, Dengue virus 1-4, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus or Japanese encephalitis virus, but immunologically reacts with antibodies raised against full length Zika virus NS1 antigen. Also disclosed is a method of producing a soluble and immunoreactive Zika virus NS1 polypeptide as well as methods and kits for detecting antibodies specific for Zika virus in an isolated sample.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a polypeptide suitable for detecting antibodies against a flavivirus in an isolated biological sample having a flavivirus NS1 wing domain specific amino acid sequence, wherein no amino acid sequences from the NS1 ß-ladder domain of said flavivirus are present in the polypeptide. In an embodiment, the flavivirus is selected from Zika virus (ZIKV), West-Nile virus (WNV), Dengue virus types 1-4 (DENV1-4), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Also disclosed is a method for producing said flaviviral NS1 wing domain specific polypeptides, a method for detecting antibodies specific for a first flavivirus species, the use of said flaviviral NS1 wing domain specific polypeptides for detecting antibodies as well as a reagent kit for detecting said flavivirus antibodies that has a flavivirus NS1 wing domain polypeptide.

Abstract: Described is a method for predicting the risk of a subject of rapidly progressing to chronic heart failure and/or of hospitalization due to chronic heart failure and/or death. The method is based on the determination of at least one biomarker selected from B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, soluble ST2 (sST2), FGF-23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23), and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15), in a sample of a subject along with the assessment of the presence or absence of (i) abnormal midwall fractional shortening or (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of preparing a magnetic particle having a polymer matrix (P) and at least one magnetic core (M), preferably at least two magnetic cores (M), wherein the polymer matrix (P) comprises at least one hypercrosslinked polymer, wherein the method comprises (i) providing at least one magnetic core (M), preferably at least two magnetic cores (M), (ii) providing polymer precursor molecules, (iii) polymerizing the polymer precursor molecules according to (ii) in the presence of the at least one magnetic core (M), thereby forming a particle comprising the at least one magnetic core (M). Further, the present disclosure relates to particles obtained or obtainable by this method as well as to the use of these particles. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for determining at least one analyte in a fluid sample having the step of contacting of the magnetic particle with a fluid sample having or suspected of having the at least one analyte.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetic particles, wherein each particle has a polymer matrix and at least one magnetic core (M), wherein the polymer matrix has at least one crosslinked polymer and wherein the magnetic particle has a particle size in the range of from 1 to 60 micrometer. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of preparing such particles, and to particles obtainable or obtained by said method. Moreover, the present disclosure uses these magnetic particles for qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one analyte in a fluid. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method for determining at least one analyte in a fluid sample using the contacting of a magnetic particle of the disclosure or a magnetic particle obtained by the method of the present disclosure with a fluid sample having or suspected to have the at least one analyte.

Abstract: An electrode comprising a functionalized surface exposable to a fluid sample. The functionalized surface comprises at least one polymer capable of mediating a salting-out effect and at least one detection agent that binds to an analyte comprised in the fluid sample, wherein the polymer and the detection agent are distributed on the surface of the electrode such that the detection agent is present in essentially equal amounts per surface area throughout the electrode surface and the polymer is arranged around the detection agent present in an amount allowing the reduction of the ionic strength of the fluid in proximity to the detection agent, and allowing for binding an analyte comprised in the fluid sample. A method for manufacturing a functionalized surface on an electrode, an analyte detector comprising the electrode, and the use of the analyte detector for determining at least one analyte in a fluid sample are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel multifunctionalized silicon nanoparticles, to processes for their preparation and to compositions comprising the novel multifunctionalized silicon nanoparticles. The disclosure also relates to the use of the novel multifunctionalized silicon nanoparticles in electrochemiluminescence based detection methods and in the in vitro detection of an analyte. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods for measuring an analyte by in vitro methods employing the novel multifunctionalized silicon nanoparticles.

Abstract: An identification, authentication and authorization method in a laboratory system is presented. The system comprises at least one laboratory device. The method comprises receiving identification data identifying a user; receiving identity confirmation data to authenticate the user; and generating authentication data upon successful authentication of the user. The authentication data is configured to enable authentication of the user based on only the identification data during a validity time period without repeated receipt of the identity confirmation data. The method further comprises receiving the identification data by an identification unit; validating the authentication data corresponding to the identification data comprising the step of verifying non-expiry of the validity time period; and granting authorization to the user for the laboratory device upon successful validation of the authentication data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides the sequence of a Paenibacillus polymyxa preproenzyme which is the precursor of a neutral protease, expression thereof in a transformed host organism, and methods for production of the neutral protease, by recombinant means. Further, use of the recombinantly produced neutral protease is disclosed in the field of cell biology, particularly for the purpose of tissue dissociation. The disclosure also includes blends with other proteases. Further disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding the neutral protease.

Abstract: A test tube carrier for transporting test tubes in a laboratory automation system is presented. The test tube carrier comprises a base body and at least three centering fingers attached to the base body. The centering fingers are distributed about a central axis (A). Each centering finger comprises an elongate, bent resilient element and a strut having a higher stiffness than the resilient element. The struts extend in parallel to the central axis (A). A first end of the associated resilient element is fixedly attached to the strut at an upper position and a second end of the resilient element contacts the strut at a lower position between the base body and the upper position. A laboratory distribution system having a number of test tube carriers, and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an in vitro method for releasing analytes from a sample involving contacting the sample with (i) a chaotropic agent, (ii) an organic solvent, (iii) a detergent, and (iv) at least one agent providing bicarbonate ions. The present disclosure further relates to a release agent for releasing analytes from a sample having the aforesaid compounds. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to uses, kits, methods and devices related to the method and the release agent of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of actuator modules. Each actuator module comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators. A plurality of base plate modules arranged in a pattern is provided. The base plate modules are coupled to each other and aligned by support elements. The number of base plate modules at least equals the number of actuator modules and each base plate module is configured to support one of the plurality of actuator modules. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: An automated analyzer system for biological samples is provided and includes a sample processing system and a controller configured to receive a selection of one of multiple workflows for determining a presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a biological sample and prompt the automated analyzer system to automatically carry out the selected workflow using the sample processing system and output a result classifying the biological sample.

Abstract: The present description relates to a liquid composition having at least one immune-modulatory macrolide compound and an essentially cell-free blood hemolysate. The present description further relates to a method for manufacturing a stabilized immune-modulatory macrolide calibration solution, by a) preparing a solution comprising an essentially cell-free blood hemolysate, b) admixing a predetermined amount of at least one immune-modulatory macrolide into said solution comprising an essentially cell-free blood hemolysate, and, thereby c) manufacturing a stabilized immune-modulatory macrolide calibration solution. Furthermore, the present description relates to kits, uses, devices, methods and to an immune-modulatory macrolide compound calibration solution related thereto.

Abstract: A point of care (POC) testing system and a method for configuration of a POC testing system are disclosed that provide a workflow solution for the configuration management of POC analyzers. The POC system and method provide for convenient assisted workflows that enable efficient replacement of POC analyzers and enable traceable relocation of POC analyzers within, for example, a hospital.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recombinant transglutaminase (TG) substrate having an amino acid sequence of the FKBP domain of an FKBP polypeptide, wherein the “insert-in-flap” (IF) domain thereof is, at least in part, replaced by an amino acid sequence (“Q-tag”) of 5 to 20 amino acids with a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to the YRYRQ portion of the peptide sequence X1-YRYRQ-X2 (SEQ ID NO. 1), and wherein said TG substrate is a substrate for the TG function of the Kutzneria albida TG. The present disclosure furthermore relates to uses of said substrate.