Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a plurality of tests concurrently to obtain data relating to the electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, Xenopus oocytes. The invention further provides software for controlling, acquiring, and recording data relating to electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. This invention increases the throughput rate for experiments and assays employing receptors and ion channels expressed in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. In the case of an oocyte, these receptors and channels may be natively expressed (endogenous), may be placed into the oocyte (exogenous), or may be expressed from other RNA or DNA previously placed into the oocyte (exogenous).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing protein-containing materials, such as, for example, pastes, gels, lipidic cubic phases, lipidic mesophases, and mixtures of the foregoing into containers, e.g., wells of assay trays. The invention further provides a method for preparing the aforementioned containers for various experiments involving soluble proteins or membrane proteins or both types of proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes (a) a gel dispenser assembly for dispensing small quantities of gels; (b) a pipette probe for dispensing fluids; (c) an actuator for moving the gel dispenser assembly vertically relative to the pipette probe; (d) a liquid-handling robot having a robot arm for moving the pipette probe and the gel dispenser assembly vertically and horizontally relative to containers, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing protein-containing materials, such as, for example, pastes, gels, lipidic cubic phases, lipidic mesophases, and mixtures of the foregoing into containers, e.g., wells of assay trays. The invention further provides a method for preparing the aforementioned containers for various experiments involving soluble proteins or membrane proteins or both types of proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes (a) a gel dispenser assembly for dispensing small quantities of gels; (b) a pipette probe for dispensing fluids; (c) an actuator for moving the gel dispenser assembly vertically relative to the pipette probe; (d) a liquid-handling robot having a robot arm for moving the pipette probe and the gel dispenser assembly vertically and horizontally relative to containers, e.g.

Abstract: A method for testing a multiplicity of chemical entities for the ability of these chemical entities to enhance or inhibit a biological process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Method for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography. The method includes activating a robot so that the tool retrieves the crystal holder, receives a sufficient amount of a fluid to maintain the crystal in the crystal holder at a temperature not in excess of about 160 degrees K, transfers the retrieved crystal holder to a positioning device, and mounts the transferred crystal holder on the positioning device, whereby the crystal in the retrieved crystal holder is maintained at a temperature not in excess of about 160 degrees K.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a plurality of tests concurrently to obtain data relating to the electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, Xenopus oocytes. The invention further provides software for controlling, acquiring, and recording data relating to electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. This invention increases the throughput rate for experiments and assays employing receptors and ion channels expressed in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. In the case of an oocyte, these receptors and channels may be natively expressed (endogenous), may be placed into the oocyte (exogenous), or may be expressed from other RNA or DNA previously placed into the oocyte (exogenous).

Abstract: An actuator and a method of controlling the actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the actuator is a valve comprising a first port and a second port fluidly connected with the first port such that fluid communicates between the first port and the second port. A flexible member is operatively connected with the first port and the second port. The flexible member is movable between a first position permitting fluid communication between the first port and the second port and a second position reducing fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A first controller is operatively connected with the flexible member for moving the flexible member between the first position and the second position. A second controller is operatively connected with the flexible member for retaining the flexible member in the second position.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed involve methods and constructions for metering, and in some instances combining, fluids. One such method includes fluidly connecting a source of first fluid to be metered with a pressure source capable of moving the first fluid with a first valve and a conduit. The first valve is operated such that first fluid moves in the conduit. The conduit is fluidly connected with a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with a second valve. The second valve is operated such that the second fluid moves into the conduit. One construction for metering a fluid comprises a source of first fluid to be metered, a pressure source for moving the first fluid to be metered, and a first valve. A conduit fluidly connects the source of first fluid, the pressure source for moving the first fluid and the first valve such that operation of the first valve causes movement of the first fluid responsive to the pressure source.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures for controlling a valve. One embodiment provides a valve control comprising a first valve fluidly connected with a first fluid conveying conduit and a second fluid conveying conduit. The first valve is movable between a first position where fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit and a second position where fluid does not communicate between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A first source of relatively increased pressure and a first source of relatively reduced pressure are provided. A third conduit fluidly connects the first source of relatively increased pressure and the first source of relatively reduced pressure with the first valve. A third valve is fluidly connected with the third conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures for controlling a valve. One embodiment provides a valve control comprising a first valve fluidly connected with a first fluid conveying conduit and a second fluid conveying conduit. The first valve is movable between a first position where fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit and a second position where fluid does not communicate between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A first source of relatively increased pressure and a first source of relatively reduced pressure are provided. A third conduit fluidly connects the first source of relatively increased pressure and the first source of relatively reduced pressure with the first valve. A third valve is fluidly connected with the third conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures for controlling a valve. One embodiment provides a valve control comprising a first valve fluidly connected with a first fluid conveying conduit and a second fluid conveying conduit. The first valve is movable between a first position where fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit and a second position where fluid does not communicate between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A first source of relatively increased pressure and a first source of relatively reduced pressure are provided. A third conduit fluidly connects the first source of relatively increased pressure and the first source of relatively reduced pressure with the first valve. A third valve is fluidly connected with the third conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a valve construction. One embodiment comprises a first valve and a second valve. A first fluid conveying conduit fluidly conveying a first fluid is fluidly connected with the first valve. A second fluid conveying conduit fluidly conveying a second fluid is fluidly connected with the second valve. A third fluid conveying conduit is fluidly connected with the first valve and the second valve. The first valve is movable between a first position where first fluid flows between the first fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit, and a second position where first fluid does not flow between the first fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit.