Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods for producing platelets including the steps of providing a silk membrane about 2 ?m and 100 ?m thick, inclusive, contacting the silk membrane with a porogen to form a porous silk membrane comprising at least one silk wall defining a lumen, associating the porous silk membrane with stromal derived factor-1? and at least one functionalizing agent, forming a three dimensional silk matrix comprising interconnected pores wherein the pores have a diameter of between about 5 and 500 ?m, inclusive, wherein the silk matrix is formed around at least a portion of the porous silk membrane, introducing a plurality of megakaryocytes to the silk matrix such that the megakaryocytes are located at least partially within the porous silk matrix, and stimulating the plurality of megakaryocytes to produce platelets. Also provided are various new compositions and methods of making those compositions.

Abstract: A SPR sensing method comprising the steps of: providing a SPR sensor comprising a SPR supporting sensor surface and contacting a sample to be analysed with the sensor surface. At least one resonance condition at said SPR supporting sensor surface is monitored by illuminating the sensor surface with an SPR exciting test light beam and sensing the reflected or transmitted test light beam. Additionally, the sensor surface is illuminated with a reference light beam under conditions selected so as not to excite SPR at said sensor surface and sensing the intensity of the reflected or transmitted reference light beam. At least one property of the reflected or transmitted test light beam is determined taking into account the sensed intensity of the reflected or transmitted reference light beam.

Abstract: A SPR sensing method comprising the steps of: providing a SPR sensor comprising a SPR supporting sensor surface and contacting a sample to be analysed with the sensor surface. At least one resonance condition at said SPR supporting sensor surface is monitored by illuminating the sensor surface with an SPR exciting test light beam and sensing the reflected or transmitted test light beam. Additionally, the sensor surface is illuminated with a reference light beam under conditions selected so as not to excite SPR at said sensor surface and sensing the intensity of the reflected or transmitted reference light beam. At least one property of the reflected or transmitted test light beam is determined taking into account the sensed intensity of the reflected or transmitted reference light beam.