Abstract: An automated method for removing tissue samples from seeds includes holding a first seed by a seed grip assembly of a sampling module of an automated seed sampling assembly, and holding a second seed by the seed grip assembly of the sampling module. The method then includes removing tissue from the first seed by a first sampler of the sampling module at a first sampling location of the sampling module while removing residual seed tissue from a second sampling location of the sampling module, at about the same time the tissue is removed from the first seed at the first sampling location of the sampling module, and subsequently removing tissue from the second seed by a second sampler of the sampling module at a second sampling location of the sampling module while removing residual seed tissue of the first seed from the first sampling location.

Abstract: A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

Abstract: A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for decreasing interferences and inaccuracies due to nonoptimal sample handling of blood samples in plasma or serum containing assay samples of specific binding assays by addition of a large polycation to the assay sample during the specific binding assay.