Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of solid supports comprises a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen terminating at the distal end. A stop is positioned within the lumen at a location spaced about the distal end and is sized to permit fluids to pass through the lumen while preventing the passage of solid supports. A fluid transfer device is configured to transfer fluids through the lumen such that when a fluid containing one or more solid supports is aspirated into the lumen, a solid support may be drawn into the lumen to lodge against the stop.

Abstract: Candidates for biological activity are screened in capsules, each capsule containing a candidate, a target (which may be a molecular species or a biological cell or multiple copies of such a species or cell), and an intelligent substance. The target is one with which a successful candidate will interact to evoke a particular response in the target, and the intelligent substance is one that undergoes a transformation as a result of the response, the transformation being detectable by observation of the capsule itself. The candidate and the target are isolated from each other in the capsule until a designated point in time thereby enabling the operator to control the time interval between exposure of the target to the candidate and the observation of the capsule to determine whether or not a successful interaction has occurred and the transformation has taken place.

Abstract: A device for measuring electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane of an individual cell comprises a plate provided with at least one opening. The opening is bounded by a surface and the surface is modified, such as via heat treatment, to facilitate formation of a gigaseal. A chamber is adjacent to the plate. The chamber is in fluid communication with at least one opening and is adapted to hold an electrically conductive solution. The plate further comprises a first electrode located in the chamber and a second electrode located adjacent to the plate.

Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of solid supports comprises a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen terminating at the distal end. A stop is positioned within the lumen at a location spaced about the distal end and is sized to permit fluids to pass through the lumen while preventing the passage of solid supports. A fluid transfer device is configured to transfer fluids through the lumen such that when a fluid containing one or more solid supports is aspirated into the lumen, a solid support may be drawn into the lumen to lodge against the stop.

Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems, devices and methods for manipulating and handling multi-well plates. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided which comprises a robot having a base member and at least one arm. The arm includes a grasping mechanism which is adapted to grasp the plate. Further, the grasping mechanism is configured to receive the plate in a repeatable and known location such that the location of each well relative to the grasping mechanism is known by the robot.

Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: A device and method for efficiently synthesizing diverse molecular products on substrates. A parent vessel 200 contains a suspension of substrates. The suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred to a plurality of reaction vessels 201-209 in one or more reaction vessel banks where monomer addition reactions take place. Optionally, the substrates may be tagged with a tag monomer. A vortexing motor 300 vortexes the contents of reaction vessels 201-209 during monomer addition reactions to enhance synthesis. After the desired monomer and/or tag monomer addition reaction, the suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred back to parent vessel 200 for mixing. Thereafter, the suspension may be pressurized with argon and reallocated among reaction vessels 201-209 for further synthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems, methods, and apparatus for distinctly allocating liquids containing chemical compositions or compounds to known locations in an organized manner so that assays may be performed on the compositions, or so that the chemical compositions may be combined with other distinct chemical compositions or reagents prior to evaluation. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention includes a multiwell plate for handling articles such as resin beads suspended in a liquid. The plate comprises a plurality of wells. The wells in turn have a capillary hole that is adapted to (i) retain articles in the well, and (ii) retain liquid in the well while the liquid is not subjected to extrinsic forces, such as centrifugation or vacuum.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing a plurality of solid supports which preferably have chemical compounds synthesized thereon. According to one exemplary method, the solid supports (12) are held in a common storage location (10). At least some of the solid supports (24) are attracted from the storage location to selected areas within a defined receiving region (20) so that the solid supports which are attracted to the selected areas within the receiving region are separated and spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A device and method for efficiently synthesizing diverse molecular products on substrates. A parent vessel 200 contains a suspension of substrates. The suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred to a plurality of reaction vessels 201-209 in one or more reaction vessel banks where monomer addition reactions take place. Optionally, the substrates may be tagged with a tag monomer. A vortexing motor 300 vortexes the contents of reaction vessels 201-209 during monomer addition reactions to enhance synthesis. After the desired monomer and/or tag monomer addition reaction, the suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred back to parent vessel 200 for mixing. Thereafter, the suspension may be pressurized with argon and reallocated among reaction vessels 201-209 for further synthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems, methods, and apparatus for distinctly allocating liquids containing chemical compositions or compounds to known locations in an organized manner so that assays may be performed on the compositions, or so that the chemical compositions may be combined with other distinct chemical compositions or reagents prior to evaluation. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a fluid transfer system which comprises a donor member having a plurality of separate regions. At least some of the regions contain at least one chemical composition, with each chemical composition being distinct from any other chemical composition in the donor member. An acceptor member is also provided and includes a plurality of defined locations which are each adapted to receive a liquid medium.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for transporting articles held within a liquid medium from one location to another. Apparatus according to the invention comprise a hopper having a top end, a bottom end, and at least one side wall extending therebetween. The bottom end includes an opening therein, and the hopper is adapted to receive the articles and the liquid medium. A means is provided for injecting an amount of the liquid medium into the hopper to fluidize the articles while held within the liquid medium. The apparatus further includes a container which may be aligned with the opening at the bottom end of the hopper. The container is sized to receive a known quantity of at least one of the articles.

Abstract: A device and method for efficiently synthesizing diverse molecular products on substrates. A parent vessel 200 contains a suspension of substrates. The suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred to a plurality of reaction vessels 201-209 in one or more reaction vessel banks where monomer addition reactions take place. Optionally, the substrates may be tagged with a tag monomer. A vortexing motor 300 vortexes the contents of reaction vessels 201-209 during monomer addition reactions to enhance synthesis. After the desired monomer and/or tag monomer addition reaction, the suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred back to parent vessel 200 for mixing. Thereafter, the suspension may be pressurized with argon and reallocated among reaction vessels 201-209 for further synthesis.

Abstract: In an exemplary aspect, the invention provides a fluid distribution system including a first fluid path, and a second fluid path that is laterally spaced-apart from the first fluid path. A third fluid path connects the first and the second fluid paths. A valve is provided that is axially translatable through a third fluid path between a first position and a second position. In a first position, the valve is removed from the third fluid path, and in the second position, the valve substantially fills the third fluid path.

Abstract: A device and method for efficiently synthesizing diverse molecular products on substrates. A parent vessel 200 contains a suspension of substrates. The suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred to a plurality of reaction vessels 201-209 in one or more reaction vessel banks where monomer addition reactions take place. Optionally, the substrates may be tagged with a tag monomer. A vortexing motor 300 vortexes the contents of reaction vessels 201-209 during monomer addition reactions to enhance synthesis. After the desired monomer and/or tag monomer addition reaction, the suspension is pressurized with argon and transferred back to parent vessel 200 for mixing. Thereafter, the suspension may be pressurized with argon and reallocated among reaction vessels 201-209 for further synthesis.