Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus includes a filament having a first end for carrying the materials and a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament. The filament is movable such that the first end protrudes by a pre-determined length from the head portion to allow transfer of the materials to and from the first end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus comprises a filament having a first end for carrying the materials; a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament; wherein the filament is movable such that the first end protrudes by a pre-determined length from the head portion to allow transfer of the materials to and from the first end. The method comprises steps of arranging a first end of a filament to contact the source location to load the material at the first end; arranging the first end to contact the target location to unload at least part of the materials from the first end; cutting a length of the filament from the first end to generate a fresh end of the filament which is free of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus comprises a filament having a first end for carrying the materials; a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament; wherein the filament is movable such that the first end protrudes by a pre-determined length from the head portion to allow transfer of the materials to and from the first end. The method comprises steps of arranging a first end of a filament to contact the source location to load the material at the first end; arranging the first end to contact the target location to unload at least part of the materials from the first end; cutting a length of the filament from the first end to generate a fresh end of the filament which is free of the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling one or more of a plurality of media plates each with a given quantity of media fluid. The media plates may be arranged in a self- supporting stack. The method comprises moving a carriage along a height of the stack of media plates to a position of a media plate to be filled and causing gripping means of said carriage to grip a lid of said media plate or, if said media plate has no lid, to grip a media plate directly above said media plate to be filled. The carriage is caused to rise to lift said lid, if present, and lift any media plates arranged above said media plate to be filled to provide access to an interior of said media plate. The interior, i.e. basin, of said media plate is filled with a given quantity of media fluid such as agar which may subsequently solidify to provide a growth medium for biological agents such as bacteria, yeast or the like.