Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, automated multi-module cell editing instruments comprising one or more flow-through electroporation devices or modules are provided to automate genome editing in live cells.

Abstract: A lower chamber is to contain a culture that emits a volatile organic compound. A sensor is within an upper chamber. A transport accelerator/selector transports the volatile organic compound in the lower chamber towards the sensor.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, automated multi-module cell editing instruments are provided to automate multiple edits into nucleic acid sequences inside one or more cells.

Abstract: Process for continuous inoculation of a food product, in particular a dairy product, with ferments, comprising the following steps: —solid concentrated ferments are transformed into liquid concentrated ferments, —the transformed concentrated ferments are continuously injected into a flow of liquid to be inoculated, characterized in that the liquid concentrated ferments are transformed—by thawing frozen concentrated ferments in a temperature controlled chamber or—by rehydrating freeze-dried concentrated ferments.

Abstract: A composting bin for breaking down organic material includes a container having an interior and an opening. The interior includes a plurality of regions, including a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region are configured to support decomposable organic material. In operation, a user positions decomposable organic material in, for example, the first region. The user then provides a composting animal in the first region. The user covers the composting bin to inhibit light from entering the composting bin. Upon completion of the composting process, the user causes the composting animal to move from the first region to the second region. The user causes the composting animal to move from the first region to the second region by allowing light to enter the first region, and/or providing food in the second region while denying food in the first region.

Abstract: A device and a process to count a number of colonies present in a set of samples. The colony counting device has a storage device with plural storage locations. A handling system is operative to convey samples to analyze from storage locations to an analysis area and from the analysis area to storage locations. An imaging device is operative to acquire a plurality of images of a sample to analyze, the plurality of images including all or a part of the analysis area. A processing unit is operative to implement, for each sample to analyze, a detection step to detect the presence of colonies by analyzing an image of the plurality of images of the sample and a determination step to determine the number of colonies present in the sample by counting the colonies whose presence have been detected during the detection step.

Abstract: A 5-liter bioreactor vessel enables a substantial increase in the volume of biological media that can be cultivated in the vessel compared to conventional designs. Moreover, when agitated at 1.5× the shaking frequency of a conventional 3-liter bioreactor (i.e., 90 rpm versus 60 rpm), the 5-liter vessel achieves a 19% increase in cell aeration without exceeding the maximum shear stress limit for cell viability. The 5-liter vessel optionally includes a plurality of internal baffles configured to disrupt the liquid vortex and reduce the maximum shear stress transferred to biomedia contained within the vessel.

Abstract: A system that indicates the presence or absence of microorganisms in fluid food products. The system has a bottle for receiving sample to be tested. The bottle has a sensor that will monitor and detect changes in at least one sample parameter, but no additives that contain nutrients that support microbial growth. The bottle is placed in an incubator and the sensor in the bottle is monitored for changes. The incubator is programed so that, if the sensor detects that the value of the monitored parameter has reached a certain value, then the sample is determined to be positive for microbial growth.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and devices for rapid and efficient modification of a variety of cell types, including mammalian cells, plant cells, archaea, yeasts, and bacteria, by novel methods of introducing exogenous materials, e.g. nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are dynamic multi-organ plates comprising two or more wells, wherein the wells are configured for cell or tissue culture growth; at least one transwell tube in fluid communication with the two or more wells; and a pump in fluid communication with the at least one transwell tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for analyzing a fluid sample. In one aspect, the device includes a fluidic substrate that comprises a micro-fluidic component embedded in the fluidic substrate configured to propagate a fluid sample via capillary force through the device and a means for providing a fluid sample connected to the micro-fluidic component. The device also includes a lid attached to the fluidic substrate at least partly covering the fluidic substrate and at least partly closing the micro-fluidic component. The fluidic substrate may be a silicon fluidic substrate and the lid may be a CMOS chip. In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for fabricating such a device, and the method may include providing a fluidic substrate, providing a lid, and attaching, through a CMOS compatible bonding process, the fluidic substrate to the lid to close the fluidic substrate at least partly.

Abstract: Provided are a cell dispensing and storing apparatus and a method of the same. The method includes: moving a freezing container with a test tube in it and a temporary storage bottle containing sample cells into a dispensing area. Connect the temporary storage bottle with an injecting assembly. A dispensing clamp moves the test tube from the freezing container to a tube rack on a rotating platform. A rotating clamp removes a tube cover from the test tube. An injecting nozzle extracts the sample cells from the temporary storage bottle and dispenses the sample cells into the test tube. The rotating clamp puts the tube cover back on the test tube. The dispensing clamp moves the test tube back into the freezing container. A freezing clamp moves the freezing container into a freezer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices and methods for detecting the presence and/or absence of one or more allergens in a sample particularly a food sample. The detection system includes a separate sample pickup, one or more disposables for receiving and processing a test sample and a detection device that can execute an allergen detection testing in minutes. The present detection system and device is compact and portable.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present technique provide apparatus for controlling ice formation, such as during the processes of cryopreservation and freeze drying. In particular, the apparatus provides a mechanism to deliver an ice nucleating material into a biological sample that is to be preserved, without allowing the ice nucleating agent to contact or contaminate the biological matter within the sample.

Abstract: Hypoxia plays a central role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy. A microdevice platform is engineered to recapitulate the intratumor oxygen gradients that drive the heterogeneous hypoxic landscapes in solid tumors. The microdevice design features a “tumor section”-like culture by incorporating a cell layer between two diffusion barriers, where an oxygen gradient is established by cellular metabolism and physical constraints. The oxygen gradient is confirmed by numerical simulation and imaging-based oxygen sensor measurement. Spatially-resolved hypoxic signaling in cancer cells is also demonstrated through immunostaining, gene expression assay, and hypoxia-targeted drug treatment. The microdevice platform can accurately generate and control oxygen gradients, eliminates complex microfluidic handling, allows for incorporation of additional tumor components, and is compatible with high-content imaging and high-throughput applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a container for holding fluid aligned on a vertical axis, wherein at least a portion of the container is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, wherein the angle is from about 0° to 90°. In some embodiments, the container is placed on a support structure with portions of the container oriented at alternating angles. The system is essentially closed except for at least one opening (for example an opening at the bottom edge) that allows for the introduction of gases and/or nutrients. The gas and/or nutrients are introduced in such a way as to provide mixing and aeration of a cell culture in the bioreactor. Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells (such as microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, animal cells, or plant or animal tissue or organs) using a bioreactor described herein.

Abstract: Nutritional formulas comprising long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are provided, along with methods and devices for preparing and/or administering nutritional formulas. In some embodiments, a percentage of the LC-PUFAs in the nutritional formula are in the form of monogiycerides and/or free fatty acids. In some embodiments, the nutritional formulas do not comprise added lipase. Also provided are methods for providing nutrition to a subject, methods for improving fat absorption, methods for improving cognitive ability, methods for preventing chronic lung disease, and methods for reducing the length of time a patient requires total parenteral nutrition.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, automated instruments comprising one or more flow-through electroporation devices or modules are provided to automate transformation of nucleic acids in live cells.

Abstract: The present technology provides for a fluorescent detector that is configured to detect light emitted for a probe characteristic of a polynucleotide. The polynucleotide is undergoing amplification in a microfluidic channel with which the detector is in optical communication. The detector is configured to detect minute quantities of polynucleotide, such as would be contained in a microfluidic volume. The detector can also be multiplexed to permit multiple concurrent measurements on multiple polynucleotides concurrently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage receptacle (1) with a longitudinal opening (5) through which straws (2) for packing liquid-based substance are passed in a predetermined orientation of the straws, a housing (3) provided for the straws and configured to be inserted slidably in a cover (4) of the receptacle, the latter having an open configuration, in which the housing is partially inserted in the cover and the opening is free for the passage of the straws, and a closure configuration, in which the housing is inserted in the cover and the opening is closed by the cover in order to prohibit the passage of the straws. The housing has a parallelepipedal shape, a first front wall in which the opening is formed, a first bottom wall, two first longitudinal wails extending parallel to the opening, and two first side walls which each have two diagonals of a length less than or equal to the length of the straws.