Abstract: A pen format liquid collection device includes an elongate generally tubular housing (12, 112, 212, 312) able to be held by hand and having an opening at one end, and at least one liquid take-up element (30, 130, 230, 330) mounted in the housing so as to be positioned or positionable to project at the opening, the at least one liquid take-up element then further postionable by hand manipulation of the housing to contact a volume of liquid to thereby take-up a sample of the liquid to be analysed. At least one retention element (230a, 330a) is supported in the housing. The at least one liquid take-up element and the at least one retention element are arranged whereby they are relatively movable into contact, and the at least one retention element is adapted on contact to in turn take-up the sample and retain the sample or a component thereof for in situ analysis or later recovery while protected within the housing. The liquid take-up element is preferably a capillary.

Abstract: A pen format liquid collection device includes an elongate generally tubular housing (12, 112, 212, 312) able to be held by hand and having an opening at one end, and at least one liquid take-up element (30, 130, 230, 330) mounted in the housing so as to be positioned or positionable to project at the opening, the at least one liquid take-up element then further postionable by hand manipulation of the housing to contact a volume of liquid to thereby take-up a sample of the liquid to be analysed. At least one retention element (230a, 330a) is supported in the housing. The at least one liquid take-up element and the at least one retention element are arranged whereby they are relatively movable into contact, and the at least one retention element is adapted on contact to in turn take-up the sample and retain the sample or a component thereof for in situ analysis or later recovery while protected within the housing. The liquid take-up element is preferably a capillary.

Abstract: A pen format liquid collection device includes an elongate generally tubular housing (12, 112, 212, 312) able to be held by hand and having an opening at one end, and at least one liquid take-up element (30, 130, 230, 330) mounted in the housing so as to be positioned or positionable to project at the opening, the at least one liquid take-up element then further postionable by hand manipulation of the housing to contact a volume of liquid to thereby take-up a sample of the liquid to be analysed. At least one retention element (230a, 330a) is supported in the housing. The at least one liquid take-up element and the at least one retention element are arranged whereby they are relatively movable into contact, and the at least one retention element is adapted on contact to in turn take-up the sample and retain the sample or a component thereof for in situ analysis or later recovery while protected within the housing. The liquid take-up element is preferably a capillary.

Abstract: A sampling device comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path from an inlet opening, wherein the flow path includes a bed of a porous polymer monolith selected to adsorb bioparticles from a matrix drawn or dispensed through the inlet opening and the bed.

Abstract: A sampling device comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path from an inlet opening, wherein the flow path includes a bed of a porous polymer monolith selected to adsorb bioparticles from a matrix drawn or dispensed through the inlet opening and the bed.

Abstract: A flow control assembly for use in preparation of samples for analysis by solid phase extraction includes a housing assembly having a first passage communicating with a needle bore and locating a solid phase sorbent, a second fluid port, and a valve for selective aspiration or delivery of fluid across a solid phase sorbent, or bypassing the solid phase sorbent. Independent flow paths are provided for a sample via the needle, and of the elution solvent via a separate port. The valve includes relatively slideable first and second members, the second member including an elongate shank that is relatively reciprocably slideable for effecting selective aspiration or delivery of fluid between first and second relative positions. A third fluid port may be provided communicating with the elongate second passage for selective fluid communication with a port in a shank when the shank is at the second relative position.

Abstract: A sampling device comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path from an inlet opening, wherein the flow path includes a bed of a porous polymer monolith selected to adsorb bioparticles from a matrix drawn or dispensed through the inlet opening and the bed.

Abstract: A flow control assembly for use in preparation of samples for analysis by solid phase extraction includes a housing assembly having a first passage communicating with a needle bore and locating a solid phase sorbent, a second fluid port, and a valve for selective aspiration or delivery of fluid across a solid phase sorbent, or bypassing the solid phase sorbent. Independent flow paths are provided for a sample via the needle, and of the elution solvent via a separate port. The valve includes relatively slideable first and second members, the second member including an elongate shank that is relatively reciprocably slideable for effecting selective aspiration or delivery of fluid between first and second relative positions. A third fluid port may be provided communicating with the elongate second passage for selective fluid communication with a port in a shank when the shank is at the second relative position.

Abstract: An improved method of separating a macromolecule by isoelectric focusing comprising subjecting the macromolecule to electrophoresis in an isoelectric-focusing medium including a substantially thiol-free reducing agent, preferably a trivalent phosphorous compound and more preferably tributyl phosphine, the improvement being the solubility and focusing of the macromolecule is enhanced compared to isoelectric focusing of the same macromolecule in a similar isoelectric-focusing medium containing a thiol-reducing agent.

Abstract: A piezoelectric dispensing apparatus (10) includes a piezoelectric dispensing device (20) including a fluid reservoir (20a) and a piezoelectric dispensing tube (70). The apparatus includes a seat for receiving the device and a plunger which is shaped and configured to abut with and seal the top of the reservoir and which defines a through bore to permit the application of vacuum and or pressure to the reservoir through the bore. The plunger may be moved up and down towards and away from the seat. The fluid reservoir defines an open top and an outlet at the base of the reservoir closed by a filter. The base of the reservoir define a foot. A secondary filter assembly is attachable to the base of the reservoir. The secondary filter assembly defines a bore which is in fluid communication with the reservoir when the secondary filter assembly is attached thereto, The secondary filter assembly also defines means for removably attaching the piezoelectric dispensing tube in fluid communication with the bore.

Abstract: A sampling device includes a table (12) and an overhead beam (14) which is spaced and supported above the table by two columns (16, 18). In the center of the beam, a cutting tool (20) assembly is located. The table is mounted so as to be moveable in the x and y directions in a generally horizontal plane. By moving the table in the x and y directions, any part of the table may be located under the cutting tool assembly. A computerized controller includes a digital scanner to record an image of an array of samples on the table and control the cutting tool to cause it to cut out a sample from the array, pick it up and transfer it to a selected location.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids includes one or more liquid outlet means carried on a movable head. The device forms part of an automated excision apparatus for cutting biomolecule spots from an array of such spots carried in a gel. The head is mounted on an automated motion control system to allow for movement of the head in X, Y, Z directions under the control of a control means. A displacement means for causing the dispensing of liquid from the one or more liquid outlet means of the device is also carried by the moveable head carrying the liquid delivery outlets allowing the length of the tubing between the outlet and the aspiration device, typically a syringe, to be much shorter. This means that swelling and contraction of the tube is minimized during liquid handling operations which means more accurate delivery of specified volumes through the outlet. The syringes and the outlets are mounted on opposite sides of an axis of movement of the apparatus, keeping the machine compact.

Abstract: A method of screening or detecting non-ocular disease in an animal, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a tear sample from the animal; (b) separating biomolecules present in the tear sample; and (c) detecting for the presence or absence of one or more biomolecules such that the presence or absence of the one or more biomolecules being an indicator or marker of a disease state in the animal.

Abstract: Separation of macromolecules by one-dimensional or two-dimensional methods, such as gel electrophoresis, produces an array of macromolecules, which can be transferred to a support, thereby producing the same array as on the gel. In the case of one-dimensional gel electrophoresis, because of the regular spacing of the gel lanes and the predictable direction of migration of the macromolecules, the positions of the macromolecule spots or bands in the array can be predicted to be at least within the area of the support corresponding to the lanes of the gel. Where the molecular weight of a macromolecule of interest is known, molecular weight markers can be used to determine where the macromolecule band is on the support, even if the macromolecule is not stained in the gel or on the support.

Abstract: An array (100) of macromolecules (the primary array), typically proteins is generated by 2D electrophoresis, for example, and subsequently transferred to a support membrane (102) by electroblotting or the like. An image of the primary array is captured (202) and the coordinates of the various macromolecular spots in the primary array are determined (402). The next step of the process is to print a secondary (or micro) array of one or more reagents or chemicals onto one or more spots/coordinates of the primary array with a pico-litre (pl) dispenser (702). If the macromolecules are proteins, the reagents may be enzymes such as Trypsin or GluC. Use of two different enzymes deposited onto different coordinates on the same spot will cleave the protein at different amino acid sites and, when the spot is analysed in a MALDI-TOP mass spectrometer, will provide increased coverage or matching of peptides in the protein.