Abstract: Described is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device including a PCR thermal block including a first substrate and heating units, a PCR chip including a second substrate and reaction chambers, and an unidirectional sliding driver for sliding the PCR chip relative to the PCR thermal block while maintaining a contact between the second substrate of the PCR chip and the first substrate of the PCR thermal block. The first and second heaters of each of the plurality of heating units are spaced apart from each other along a sliding direction, and the unidirectional sliding driver causes any reaction chamber in the PCR chip to have a sequential thermal contact from a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at one end of the PCR thermal block to a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at another end of the PCR thermal block.

Abstract: The invention is directed to disposable cartridge for electroporation of cells, comprising a fluid compartment in an interior of the disposable cartridge; a first fluid port for providing cell suspension to the fluid compartment, and a second fluid port for delivering a fluid comprising at least one compound to be electroporated into the cells to the fluid compartment; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in the fluid compartment; at least one exit port which delivers the fluid from the fluid compartment wherein the first and second fluid port have a fluid communication to a mixing channel which has a fluid communication to the fluid compartment, and a third ground electrode and a fourth ground electrode.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide fluid flow coordinators, passive flow field modifiers, or even inwardly protruding helical spines which can be used in continuous, scalable, low energy usage, bioreactor systems perhaps to provide optimal mixing of microorganisms with nutrients, gases, or the like or even to move microorganisms, such as algae, in and out of light for effective and optimal growth.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automated platform for inoculating a variety of receptacles with biological samples for testing and analysis. The lab automation system includes a plurality of modules used to automate the inoculation of media for subsequent analysis. In this regard, the lab automation system has one module to enter specimen/order information and store an inventory of petri dishes. Another module is used to label the sample receptacles with a unique identifier that associates the receptacles with the sample. Yet another module includes a robot for retrieving sample and inoculating the receptacles. The sample inoculation module also includes an apparatus that will receive slides, inoculate those slides, and further process the slides for analysis. Finally, the lab automation system includes a module that streaks the culture media with the sample. Thus, the automated lab system described herein provides consistent samples with minimal input from a lab operator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for use in processing a fluid comprises a reservoir for holding the fluid and one or more bioreactors for receiving the fluid from the reservoir. One or more sensors are provided for sensing one or more parameters of the fluid, and corresponding control measures may be initiated. Regulators may also be provided for regulating various parameters of the fluid processing operation. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Peel plates and plate assemblies are shown and described. In one embodiment, a peel plate assembly includes a semi-rigid plate, a removable cover seal, and an adhesive to provide a moisture vapor barrier. In particular embodiments, the moisture vapor barrier provides less than about one pound peel adhesion and a stiffness for reapplication without wrinkling. The result is a peel plate, assembly, and method for the enumerating a microorganism, when present, in a sample.

Abstract: A container includes a vial, cap, and one or more wireless transponders secured to the cap, the vial or a jacket to store and identify samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., vitrified biological samples), for instance held by cryopreservation storage devices. A specimen holder may be extend from the cap. The vial and/or cap includes ports or vents. A carrier includes a box, thermal shunt, thermal insulation to store and identify arrays of containers that hold cryopreservation storage devices with samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures. Various apparatus include wireless transponders positioned and oriented to enhance range, and allow interrogation while retained in a carrier. Various apparatus can maintain the biological material at or close to cryogenic temperatures for prolonged period of times after being removed from a cryogenic cooler, and can allow wireless inventorying while maintaining the biological samples at suitably cold temperatures.

Abstract: A corneal preservation and rehydration device includes a box body and a box lid (1), wherein the box body and the box lid are detachably connected. A corneal bracket (2) is provided in the box body for holding a cornea, wherein a surface of the corneal bracket for placing a cornea is a convex spherical surface (21), and a blocking portion (22) is arranged at the surrounding of the convex spherical surface (21) for preventing a cornea from dropping out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Petri dish comprising a dish body which comprises a bottom wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side wall of the dish body form an upper opening space adapted to accommodate cultures; a dish lid adapted to cover the upper opening space from above the dish body, the dish lid comprises a top wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the top wall, wherein the dish body and the dish lid are two independent members that are detachable, and the side wall of the dish body is formed on the outer side thereof with a ring for gripping that extends circumferentially, and the ring for gripping having an outer diameter larger than that of the dish lid. The Petri dish according to the present invention has a simple structure. Through the ring for gripping on the dish body, the user can easily hold the dish body without accidentally dislodging the dish lid or sliding it off the dish body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for culturing cells, which device comprises a bottom wall, at least one side wall as well an upper wall for forming an interior volume that can be shut off from the outside world, a liquid culture comprising cells being present on the bottom wall in use, between the at least one side wall, to which volume fluid can be supplied via at least one supply channel disposed in the upper wall and from which fluid can be discharged via at least one discharge channel disposed in the upper wall.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator includes a housing having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, an ampule containing a liquid growth medium, and an insert disposed at least partially in the first enclosure. A portion of the ampule may be disposed inside the first enclosure. The insert may have a platform including a top surface, an abutment surface, and a side surface, as well as a first void disposed in the platform and configured to allow passage of a first volume of the liquid growth medium into the second enclosure and a second void disposed through at least a portion of the side surface and configured to allow passage of a second volume of the liquid growth medium into the second enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus that uses shadow images of cells to continuously measure cell activity at a high processing rate in order to provide cell activity and cell number results. According to one embodiment of the present invention, instead of a highly experienced examiner or technician using a microscope, ELISA reader, etc. having to collect various cell activity measurements and cell numbers, the collection of said information can be automated so as to reduce cost and largely reduce errors in measurements through the development of computer software coupled with hardware using low cost and compact optoelectronic components and simple image processing techniques.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor chamber for engineering a broad spectrum of tissues. The bioreactor allows controlled distribution of fluid through or around scaffolding materials of various shapes, structures and topologies during prolonged periods of cultivation.

Abstract: A modular incubator comprising a housing structure divided into cells and having several incubator modules, each of which can be housed, in a removable manner, in a relative cell and is provided with an incubation chamber to incubate microbiological or cellular cultures. Each cell has a first group of connectors and each incubator module has a second group of connectors, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding connector of the first group of connectors of the relative cell when the incubator module is housed in the cell. The first group of connectors has at least one pneumatic connector communicating with at least one source of aeriform substance, and the second group of connectors has a corresponding pneumatic connector communicating with the relative incubation chamber to allow the aeriform substance to be introduced into the incubation chamber.

Abstract: Methods of bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated media using Pseudomonas sp. which can efficiently reduce hydrocarbon contamination in soil, sediment or water in a short period of time are provided.

Abstract: A bioreactor outlet air conditioning system (10) has a bioreactor vessel (100) and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a fluid flow path (196) from a headspace (108) in the vessel for venting air from the vessel, and a temperature control element (300) in thermal contact with the fluid flow path (196). The fluid flow path (196) may be defined by a disposable portion of the bioreactor vessel (100). A method of controlling evaporation within a bioreactor vessel (100), dependent on the required evaporation rate, adjusts the temperature of the temperature control element (300) to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid media (106) from the vessel (100), and may include monitoring fluids in the fluid flow path (196) to detect at least water content of the fluids exiting the vessel to adjust the temperature and control the rate of evaporation dependent on the detected water content levels.

Abstract: An enzymatic purification method involves the introduction of a sample comprising a target analyte and amino acids into a porous matrix of a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber includes first pores and second pores. The first pores contain polypeptide synthesis enzymes that react with the amino acids to form polypeptides. First pores having a first size to be accessible by amino acids but inaccessible by the subsequently formed polypeptides. The second pores have a second size greater than the first size, are in contact with the first pores and form a series extending from within the reaction chamber to a waste chamber. The formed polypeptides are migrated through the series of second pores to the waste chamber. The target analyte of the sample is extracted from the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring embryos in an incubator are described. The apparatus comprises an incubation chamber defined by an incubation chamber housing and a slide carrier comprising a plurality of compartment walls that define compartments for holding embryo slides within the incubation chamber for incubation. The slide carrier is moveable, for example by rotation, relative to the incubation chamber housing to allow a selected compartment to be moved to a loading position defined at least in part by a loading port wall associated with the incubation chamber housing. The loading port wall is arranged to cooperate with the wall of a compartment in the loading position to restrict the extent to which the environment of the compartment in the loading position is in fluid communication with the environments of other compartments in the incubation chamber.

Abstract: The pressure and circulation culture apparatus includes a holder (culture chamber part), a pressure transmission part and a culture solution circulation line (culture circuit). The holder is a means that reserves culture solution and that holds a cultured object. The pressure transmission part is a means that communicates with the holder and transmits an external pressure to the culture solution. The culture solution circulation line is a means that is connected to the holder via the pressure transmission part, and circulates the culture solution through the holder via the pressure transmission part. Such a structure is included, and an external pressure is made to operate on the culture solution via the pressure transmission part to allow pressure on the cultured object in the holder and circulation of the culture solution in the holder.