Abstract: The invention provides a method for taking a plurality of samples (200) from a substrate (40) with sample material (20) by using an optical microscope (1000) and a stamp (50). At least part of the stamp (50) is transparent and the stamp (50) is arranged in front of the objective (41). The elevations (58) of the stamp (50) are contacted with sample material (20) in a substrate (40). The samples (200) may be replicated to other substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for integrated ribonucleic acid integrity assessment and analysis comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support having immobilized thereon a set of detector probes and a set of at least two control probes, wherein (i) a first of said at least two control probes is complementary to 23S or 28S rRNA or a functionally equivalent RNA, and (ii) a second of said at least two control probes is complementary to 16S or 18S10 rRNA or a functionally equivalent RNA; (b) contacting said support with analyte ribonucleic acids derived from a sample, under conditions allowing hybridisation of complementary analyte ribonucleic acids and immobilized probes to form analyte ribonucleic acid/probe complexes; wherein said hybridisation generates a detectable signal; 15 (c) detecting signals generated by said complexes; (d) determining the ratio of signals generated by the 28S/control probe and 18S rRNA/control probe or 23S rRNA/control probe and 16S rRNA/control probe or functionally equi

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for determining drug efficacy on target cells comprising (1) a porous support (B) having first and second surfaces and at least one area with a plurality of through-going channels, wherein said area comprises on said first surface at least one region, which can be contacted with target cells, and said area comprises on said second surface at least one region comprising a layer of barrier cells presenting a significant barrier adhered to said second surface, wherein said region on the first surface is located opposite to said region on the second surface of the porous support (B), and wherein said layer of barrier cells provides a barrier for the passage of drugs, and (2) a support (A) comprising drugs, which can be contacted with the barrier cells of the porous support (B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening of cellular responses of cellular components comprising: (a) providing cellular components on the surface of a substrate, said substrate having immobilized thereon an array of detector molecules; (b) delivering test compounds to positions on the substrate corresponding to the arrayed detector molecules on the surface of said solid substrate; (c) incubating said test compounds with said cellular components on the surface of the solid support, under conditions allowing the induction of cellular responses; (d) assaying said cellular responses; and, identifying and characterizing the cellular responses induced by said test compounds. The present invention further relates to the uses of said methods as well as microarrays and kits for carrying out said methods.

Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.