Abstract: A non-contact unitary device for hand cleansing and monitoring hand hygiene comprises means for delivery of hand cleansing material containing a light activatable marker and a space for the placement of hands after washing and provided with means for shining light onto the hands when within the space for activation of any marker remaining on the hands after washing.

Abstract: An illustrated view of a feeding system for assisting young animals in nursing and feeding is presented. The feeding system mimics the look, feel and size of the mother's natural nipples or teats. Also, the feeding system is useful for feeding from one (1) to four young animals, such as, but not limited to, dogs, cats, gerbils, sheep, etc. The feeding system is useful for veterinarians, animal rescue centers, breeders, zoos, etc. The feeding system is useful for encouraging instinctual feeding and provides comforting natures of a warm human touch.

Abstract: A reverse transfection apparatus can be used for introducing siRNA into a cell to effect gene silencing. Such an apparatus can include a well plate having a well configured for transfecting cells. The well can include a substantially dry gene silencing composition that has at least a first siRNA which silences a first target gene. The gene silencing composition can be configured such that the at least first siRNA is capable of being solubilized or suspended in an aqueous medium in an amount sufficient for transfecting cells in the well. Additionally, the at least first siRNA can include a modification or a conjugate. The reverse transfection apparatus can be provided as a kit or system that additionally includes cells, polynucleotide carriers, reverse transfection reagents, and the like.

Abstract: A method of determining a cellular response to a biological agent can be preformed in the presence of gene silencing. Such a method can include the use of siRNA in order to silence various genes in the cell in order to monitor the cellular response to the biological agent when a gene has been silenced. Accordingly, the response of a cell having a silenced gene to a biological agent can be indicative of which genes may be responsible for normal or abnormal cellular responses to various synthetic and natural biological agents such as active agents or pathogens.

Abstract: A reverse transfection apparatus can be used for introducing siRNA into a cell to effect gene silencing. Such an apparatus can include a well plate having a well configured for transfecting cells. The well can include a substantially dry gene silencing composition that has at least two siRNAs which silences at least a first target gene. The gene silencing composition can be configured such that the at least two siRNAs are each capable of being solubilized or suspended in an aqueous medium in an amount sufficient for transfecting cells in the well. Additionally, the siRNAs can include a hairpin structure, modification, or a conjugate. Also, the at least siRNAs can be rationally designed. The reverse transfection apparatus can be provided as a kit or system that additionally includes cells, polynucleotide carriers, reverse transfection reagents, and the like.

Abstract: An RTF testing plate can include at least a first control well including a substantially dry first control composition having at least a first control siRNA. The first control siRNA is capable of providing a first indication of the gene silencing efficacy. Additionally, the first control composition can be configured such that the first control siRNA is capable of being solubilized or suspended in an aqueous medium in an amount sufficient for transfecting cells in the first control well. The control siRNA can be any one of a transfection control siRNA, positive control siRNA, or negative control siRNA. Optionally, the total amount of control siRNA in the first control composition can be present in an amount for transfecting cells in only the first control well.

Abstract: A reverse transfection apparatus can be used for introducing siRNA into a cell to effect gene silencing. Such an apparatus can include a well plate having a well configured for transfecting cells. The well can include a substantially dry gene silencing composition that has at least a first siRNA which silences a first target gene. The gene silencing composition can be configured such that the at least first siRNA is capable of being solubilized or suspended in an aqueous medium in an amount sufficient for transfecting cells in the well. Additionally, the at least first siRNA can include a modification or a conjugate. The reverse transfection apparatus can be provided as a kit or system that additionally includes cells, polynucleotide carriers, reverse transfection reagents, and the like.

Abstract: A method of determining a cellular response to a biological agent can be preformed in the presence of gene silencing. Such a method can include the use of siRNA in order to silence various genes in the cell in order to monitor the cellular response to the biological agent when a gene has been silenced. Accordingly, the response of a cell having a silenced gene to a biological agent can be indicative of which genes may be responsible for normal or abnormal cellular responses to various synthetic and natural biological agents such as active agents or pathogens.

Abstract: A reverse transfection apparatus can be used for introducing siRNA into a cell to effect gene silencing. Such an apparatus can include a well plate having a well configured for transfecting cells. The well can include a substantially dry gene silencing composition that has at least two siRNAs which silences at least a first target gene. The gene silencing composition can be configured such that the at least two siRNAs are each capable of being solubilized or suspended in an aqueous medium in an amount sufficient for transfecting cells in the well. Additionally, the siRNAs can include a hairpin structure, modification, or a conjugate. Also, the at least siRNAs can be rationally designed. The reverse transfection apparatus can be provided as a kit or system that additionally includes cells, polynucleotide carriers, reverse transfection reagents, and the like.