Abstract: A device and method for detecting by fluorescence microbial growth from sample substances are disclosed. For example, a method for the detection of visible-band fluorescence signals generated by at least one fluorescing compound excited by ultraviolet energy, comprising exciting said at least one fluorescing compound with ultraviolet energy emitted from a light-emitting diode comprising wavelengths below 400 nanometers, and detecting a visible-band fluorescence signal generated by said at least one excited fluorescing compound with at least one light detector sensitive to electromagnetic energy comprising wavelengths greater than or equal to 400 nanometers wavelength.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employing chemoautotrophic micro-organisms to capture carbon from industrial waste are provided. An exemplary system comprises an industrial source, such as a cement plant, and a bioreactor including the micro-organisms. The bioreactor is fed the waste stream from the source, which provides carbon to the micro-organisms, and is also fed hydrogen, from which the micro-organisms derive their energy. Additional or alternative carbon can be provided from a gasifier fed an organic feedstock. The carbon provided to the micro-organisms is converted into chemical products which can be recovered from the bioreactor. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis using electricity generated by a renewable energy source.

Abstract: A micro-incubator manifold for improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a manifold and automated microfluidic systems.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional microdissection for separating defined structures in the sub-millimeter range by cold laser ablation or multi-photon absorption, whereby exposure of the structures to be separated is performed using directional information in all spatial directions. Also, a 3D microdissection system for separating defined, three-dimensional structures from a sample, having: a control unit (5); an ablation chamber (1) with a sample holder, on which the sample to be processed is mounted and which is movable along a linear axis V and rotatable about a rotary axis R. The sample holder has positioning devices connected to the control unit. The positioning devices move the sample holder along another linear axis H and rotate it about rotary axis R, and a laser device (6) is introduced into the ablation chamber at least partially through a laser window (3) in the ablation chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for analysis of samples, particularly biological and environmental sample to detect biomolecules of interest contained therein. A variety of system components are described herein, including, but not limited to, components for sample handling, mixing of materials, sample processing, transfer of materials, and analysis of materials. The invention further provides mechanisms for combining and integrating the different components and for housing, moving, and storing system components or the system as a whole. The systems may include any one or more or all of these components. The system finds particular use when employed for analysis of nucleic acid molecule using mass spectrometry, however, the invention is not limited such specific uses.

Abstract: A system for thermal cycling a material to be thermal cycled including a microfluidic heat exchanger; a porous medium in the microfluidic heat exchanger; a microfluidic thermal cycling chamber containing the material to be thermal cycled, the microfluidic thermal cycling chamber operatively connected to the microfluidic heat exchanger; a working fluid at first temperature; a first system for transmitting the working fluid at first temperature to the microfluidic heat exchanger; a working fluid at a second temperature, a second system for transmitting the working fluid at second temperature to the microfluidic heat exchanger; a pump for flowing the working fluid at the first temperature from the first system to the microfluidic heat exchanger and through the porous medium; and flowing the working fluid at the second temperature from the second system to the heat exchanger and through the porous medium.

Abstract: Novel bioreactor systems, adapted to provide continuous batch incubation of microbes, especially bacteria, are provided. Bioreactor bags are preloaded with inert microbes prior to being shipped to the user. The inert microbes may be substantially dry or in other inert forms, and are stored in soluble containers within the bioreactor bags. Multiple sterile, preloaded, disposable bioreactor bags are used in a self-contained housing. The bags are automatically incubated in the housing and dispensed, preferably into an irrigation system. The system provides serial batch production of useful microbes for a week or more, without further supervision or intervention. Methods of manufacture, methods of use, methods of sales, and methods of farming are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for performing assays. These systems may involve separating sample components by partitioning them into droplets or other partitions, amplifying or otherwise reacting the components within the droplets, detecting the amplified components, or characteristics thereof, and/or analyzing the resulting data, among others.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a chip for inspecting toxicity and efficacy, including: a first substrate including fitting holes formed at corners thereof; and a second substrate including gap forming members formed at corners thereof corresponding to the fitting holes to form a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, and protrusions formed on the gap forming members corresponding to the fitting holes and fitted in the fitting holes. The chip for inspecting toxicity and efficacy is advantageous in that alignment of the chip can be easily performed, in that problems with the emission of fluorescence or the penetration of measuring light in the chip can be solved, and in that the cost of producing the chip can be reduced.

Abstract: A reconfigurable modular microfluidic system for preparation of a biological sample including a series of reconfigurable modules for automated sample preparation adapted to selectively include a) a microfluidic acoustic focusing filter module, b) a dielectrophoresis bacteria filter module, c) a dielectrophoresis virus filter module, d) an isotachophoresis nucleic acid filter module, e) a lyses module, and f) an isotachophoresis-based nucleic acid filter.

Abstract: A tissue retaining system having a pair of tissue retainers for retaining two end portions of tubular tissue, such as a heart valve, to a bioreactor is disclosed. Each tissue retainer includes a stepped portion that permits custom fitting of the tissue retainer to a particular size of tubular tissue. The stepped portion of each tissue retainer defines a plurality of progressively larger concentric steps in which one of the concentric steps matches the size of a particular tubular tissue being engaged. The tubular tissue is then anchored to the tissue retainer by suture pull downs that anchor the tubular tissue to one of the concentric steps of the tissue retainer in a fluid tight engagement. This engagement process is repeated to secure the other end portion of the tubular tissue to another tissue retainer such that the tissue retaining system may then be engaged to the bioreactor.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing a sample of interest is provided. The microfluidic device can comprise a microfluidic device body, wherein the microfluidic device body comprises a sample preparation area, a nucleic acid amplification area, a nucleic acid analysis area, and a network of fluid channels. Each of the sample preparation area, the nucleic acid amplification area and the nucleic acid analysis area are fluidly interconnected to at least one of the other two areas by at least one of the fluid channels. Using the microfluidic device, sample preparation can be combined with amplification of a biologically active molecule, and a suitable biological sample can be provided for analysis and/or detection of a molecule of interest. The small-scale apparatus and methods provided are easier, faster, less expensive, and equally efficacious compared to larger scale equipment for the preparation and analysis of a biological sample.

Abstract: A system, including method and apparatus, for forming an array of emulsions. The system may include a plate providing an array of emulsion production units each configured to produce a separate emulsion and each including a set of wells interconnected by channels that intersect to form a site of droplet generation. Each set of wells, in turn, may include (1) at least one first input well to receive a continuous phase, (2) a second input well to receive a dispersed phase, and (3) an output well configured to receive from the site of droplet generation an emulsion of droplets of the dispersed phase disposed in the continuous phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (22) for changing the pH of a solvent in which a substance is dissolved. The device includes a housing (24) in contact with the solvent through a housing wall (26) that is permissive to the solvent and the substance. The housing contains enzymes adapted for converting the substance in order to provide hydrogen or hydroxyle ions; the housing wall being non-permissive to the enzymes.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture instrument which has excellent operability while including a plurality of wells capable of holding cells. The cell culture instrument according to the present invention includes a base portion in which a well group including a plurality of first wells capable of holding cells is formed, and a frame portion vertically arranged around the well group of the base portion to form a second well being capable of holding a solution.

Abstract: An electrical impedance sensing device which integrates multielectrode automated impedance spectroscopy capability with automatic parameter extraction and data analysis to create an automated cell behavior monitoring system. The device comprises radial electrodes and an out-of-plane counter electrode. Quantitative impedance data provided information on cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation and detachment due to cell cycle processes as well as cell-drug interaction, with spatio-temporal resolution. The resulting dataset is processed for impedance distribution and used to characterize cellular motion, morphology, electrochemical and dielectric properties. Also, a method is described for studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, determining electrical characteristics of cell layers, and identifying specific impedance parameters for cancer screening, drug screening, bacterial growth monitoring, organ transplant compatibility, and cell-drug interaction among other applications.

Abstract: Described are methods, cell growth substrates, and devices that are useful in preparing cell-containing graft materials for administration to patients. Tubular passages can be defined in cell growth substrates to promote distribution of cells into the substrates. Also described are methods and devices for preparing cell-seeded graft compositions, methods and devices for preconditioning cell growth substrates prior to application of cells, and cell seeded grafts having novel substrates, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A system for perfusing a biological organ for use as an experimental model includes a housing having sides that define a cavity for containing a biological organ model within a solution. The housing includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough configured to mechanically interface with a filter, one or more heating elements and one or more sensors. A peristaltic pump is configured to withdraw and pressurize the solution from the housing and reintroduce the solution under pressure into the biological organ. A heat control module operatively connects to the heating elements and is configured to regulate the temperature of the solution within the housing. A data acquisition system operatively connects to the heat control module, the peristaltic pump and the sensor(s) and regulates and monitors the pressure, flow rate and temperature of the solution during electrical treatment of the biological organ.

Abstract: Systems and methods for containing and manipulating liquids, including vessels and unit operations or components of cell culture, cell containment, bioreactor, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, are provided. In certain embodiments, such vessels and unit operations are directed to continuous perfusion reactor or bioreactor systems and may include one or more disposable components. For instance, in one aspect, a system includes an apparatus in the form of a bioreactor for harvesting cells which produce one or more products. The apparatus may include a disposable, collapsible bag adapted for containing a liquid, the collapsible bag in fluid communication with a liquid-solids (e.g., cell) separation device. For example, an outlet of the collapsible bag may be connected to an inlet of the separation device, and an outlet of the separation device may be connected to an inlet of the collapsible bag for recycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for cultivating biological material, comprising a solid inert substrate, a growth medium and biological material arranged in or on the substrate, wherein the container is substantially closed, wherein the volume of the container is sterile and wherein the biological material comprises sowing material, and to a method and the use of the container for cultivating biological material.