Abstract: A device for harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed involves a robotic arm configured to interchangeably deploy one of a plurality of different suction grippers, each of the suction grippers having a suction cup having a size and shape profile appropriate for gripping a cap of a mushroom, the cap having a size and shape profile within a predetermined range. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction gripper supplies negative air pressure to the suction gripper for retaining a cap of the mushroom to be harvested in the suction cup. A control circuit in electronic communication with the suction gripper and the vacuum source is configured to automatically adjust the negative air pressure in the suction gripper in response to harvesting requirements during a mushroom harvesting process.

Abstract: A device for harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed involves a robotic aim configured to interchangeably deploy one of a plurality of different suction grippers, each of the suction grippers having a suction cup having a size and shape profile appropriate for gripping a cap of a mushroom, the cap having a size and shape profile within a predetermined range. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction gripper supplies negative air pressure to the suction gripper for retaining a cap of the mushroom to be harvested in the suction cup. A control circuit in electronic communication with the suction gripper and the vacuum source is configured to automatically adjust the negative air pressure in the suction gripper in response to harvesting requirements during a mushroom harvesting process.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling harvesting of mushrooms from a bed during a mushroom graze harvest operation account for both mushroom separation and stagger, thereby providing for automatic and proper selection of which mushrooms in the bed are to be harvested in a given shift.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling harvesting of mushrooms from a bed during a mushroom graze harvest operation account for both mushroom separation and stagger, thereby providing for automatic and proper selection of which mushrooms in the bed are to be harvested in a given shift.

Abstract: Electrophoresis gels are formed using a gel-forming insert having a beveled edge which results in loading sites having a beveled bottom surface. The gel forming insert can have a continuous beveled edge across the entire width of the gel, in which case a special loading insert is used which matches the bevel of the gel. Alternatively, the gel forming insert may be formed with a plurality of fingers with beveled ends, each finger defining a well in the gel. In one form of the gel-forming insert, the fingers are formed from a soft, flexible polymer such as silicone applied on a rigid support.

Abstract: Electrophoresis gels are formed using a gel-forming insert having a beveled edge which results in loading sites having a beveled bottom surface. The gel forming insert can have a continuous beveled edge across the entire width of the gel, in which case a special loading insert is used which matches the bevel of the gel. Alternatively, the gel forming insert may be formed with a plurality of fingers with beveled ends, each finger defining a well in the gel. In one form of the gel-forming insert, the fingers are formed from a soft, flexible polymer such as silicone applied on a rigid support.

Abstract: A high dynamic range apparatus for separation and detection of polynucleotide fragments has a housing adapted to receive an electrophoresis gel holder containing an electrophoresis gel loaded with fluorophore-labeled samples; one or more laser diodes for providing radiation of a frequency suitable for excitation of the fluorophore which irradiates a an array of excitation/detection sites on the electrophoresis gel; an array of detectors aligned with the excitation/detection sites for collecting fluorescent emissions; and one or more components for increasing the dynamic range of the instrument by at least an order of magnitude.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid preparation of electrophoresis gels comprises: (a) a housing; (b) a support fixture removably disposed within the housing and adapted to receive a gel holder having an internal gel compartment, the support fixture being optionally adapted to permit filling of the gel holder within the housing; (c) an optional injection system, which is connectible to a reservoir for holding a polymerizable solution; (d) an optional solution injection connector adapted to couple the injection system to a gel holder placed within the filling fixture, (e) an optional controller for the injection system, which causes the injection system to inject polymerizable solution from the reservoir into the gel compartment; and (f) a radiation source disposed within the housing in a location effective to irradiate polymierizable solution within the gel compartment of a gel holder in the support fixture.

Abstract: Improved detection methods and apparatus which may be used individually or in combinations enhance the ability of the electrophoresis apparatus to detect fluorophore-labeled materials in short periods of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally cycling a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel to expose the mixture to the varying temperatures necessary to, for example, achieve PCR amplification or the preparation of sequencing fragments using a cycle sequencing operation makes use of flow-through reaction vessels, such as capillary tubes, for the preparation and thermal cycling of reaction mixtures. In order to prevent loss of the reaction mixture from the vessels during heating, the thermal cycling apparatus of the invention provides means for sealing the proximal and distal end of each reaction vessel. The proximal ends can be sealed by coupling to a pump which permits movement of the samples within the reaction vessels.

Abstract: An electrophoresis microgel is formed in a gel holder. The gel holder comprises a top substrate, a bottom substrate and a spacer disposed between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. The spacer establishes a separation of from 25 to 250 microns between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. A gel compartment is formed by partially sealing the top substrate to the bottom substrate, while leaving an opening for the introduction of unpolymerized gel. The gel compartment is then filled with an unpolymerized gel, which is polymerized in the gel compartment. Electrodes may be printed on the substrates, may be contacts to an exposed edge of gel, or may be applied through windows cut into one of the substrates. One type of gel holder makes use of graded beads having a diameter of 25 to 250 microns slurried in an adhesive such as an acrylate adhesive as the spacer. The slurry is printed onto the surface of one or both substrates to form a spacer of the desired shape, and then hardened using heat or light.

Abstract: An improved electrophoresis and fluorescence detection method for nucleotide sequences comprises a fluorescence sensing region along the path of nucleotide detection, coupled with amplification and integration in an integrator of output signals in the form of activity peaks. The output signal, which is converted to a voltage signal, is summed with a programmable offset generated by an inexpensive eight-bit D/A converter. The offset signal is selected to establish a lower starting point for the dynamic range of analog-digital conversion, and is selected to null some or all of the background fluorescence level. The integrator is switchable under program control. The integrator is switched on for long and short integration intervals. The short intervals permit sensing over a dynamic range accommodating very high levels of fluorescence; very high peaks may be measured and features of the peaks distinguished.

Abstract: An improved electrophoresis and fluorescence detection apparatus has an electromagnetic radiation sensor juxtaposed with a sensing region. The output signal from the electromagnetic radiation sensor is a current signal, and the current signal is converted to a voltage signal. The voltage signal is summed with a programmable offset generated by an inexpensive eight-bit D/A converter. The offset signal is selected to establish a lower starting point for the dynamic range of the A/D conversion, and is selected to null some or all of the background electromagnetic radiation level. The summed signal is amplified and integrated in an integrator. The integrator is switchable under program control. The integrator is switched on for long and short intervals. The short intervals permit sensing over a dynamic range accommodating very high levels of fluorescence; very high peaks may be measured and features of the peaks distinguished.

Abstract: Improved detection methods and apparatus which may be used individually or in various combinations enhance the ability of the electrophoresis apparatus to detect fluorophore-labeled materials in short periods of time.

Abstract: An electrophoresis microgel is formed in a gel holder. The gel holder comprises a top substrate, a bottom substrate and a spacer disposed between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. The spacer establishes a separation of from 25 to 250 microns between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. A gel compartment is formed by partially sealing the top substrate to the bottom substrate, while leaving an opening for the introduction of unpolymerized gel. The gel compartment is then filled with an unpolymerized gel, which is polymerized in the gel compartment. Electrodes may be printed on the substrates, may be contacts to an exposed edge of gel, or may be applied through windows cut into one of the substrates. One type of gel holder makes use of graded beads having a diameter of 25 to 250 microns slurried in an adhesive such as an acrylate adhesive as the spacer. The slurry is printed onto the surface of one or both substrates to form a spacer of the desired shape, and then hardened using heat or light.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid filling and polymerization of electrophoresis gels comprises:(a) a housing;(b) a filling fixture removably disposed within the housing and adapted to receive a gel holder having an internal gel compartment;(c) an injection system, which is connectible to a reservoir for holding a polymerizable solution;(d) a solution injection connector adapted to couple the injection system to a gel holder placed within the filling fixture,(e) a controller for the injection system, which causes the injection system to inject polymerizable solution from the reservoir into the gel compartment; and(f) a radiation source disposed within the housing in a location effective to irradiate polymerizable solution within the gel compartment of a gel holder in the filling fixture. The filling fixture may be mounted on a base which is slidable between a position inside the housing, and a position outside the housing to permit easy placement of a gel holder into the filling fixture.