Abstract: An inexpensive cell analysis and separation apparatus using a flow channel formed on one surface of a substrate and a chip replaceable for each sample, and a method for culturing the separated cells without contamination, are provided. A flow channel for allowing a cell-containing buffer solution to flow is provided. Cells are detected in the middle of the flow channel, and separated to a plurality of downstream flow channels based on whether each cell fulfills a predetermined condition. A culturing tank for collecting the condition-fulfilling cells is covered with a semipermeable membrane at a top surface so as to prevent contamination during cell separation. When the cell separation is finished, the flow channel communicated with the culturing tank accommodating the condition-fulfilling cells is closed, and the culturing tank is cut off from the apparatus and put into a culturing device containing a predetermined medium to culture the cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of stably obtaining fluorescent images of two or more fluorescent samples includes disposing the samples onto compartments defined on a substrate. The compartments are sequentially irradiated with an exciting light where the intensity varies. A value of fluorescence as generated from each of the samples is determined, and a fluorescent image is obtained based on the value of fluorescence.

Abstract: A DNA inspecting apparatus including driving means for relatively changing positions of the multi-spot lights and a position of the DNA chip so as to detect the fluorescent lights in such a manner that a desired area on the DNA chip is irradiated with the multi-spot lights, and a control system for determining and inspecting DNA information about the to-be-inspected DNA chip from fluorescent light intensities and fluorescent light positions of the desired area on the DNA chip, the fluorescent light intensities and the fluorescent light positions being detected by the driving means and the fluorescent light detecting means.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a DNA chip and an apparatus therefor that allow a picture to be reconstructed in the following steps: A plurality of irradiation spots are formed on a DNA probe array mounted on a stage. Then, the stage is displaced in X, Y directions so as to execute a scanning, thereby irradiating substantially all the entire surface of the DNA probe array. Next, a plurality of emitted fluorescent lights, which are generated from the plurality of irradiation spot portions on the DNA probe array, are converged and are then detected simultaneously by multi detectors. Finally, a data processing apparatus processes the detected signals, thereby reconstructing the picture.

Abstract: In labeling a cell, and separating and collecting the cell according to a degree of the labeling using a cell separator, effects on the cell is minimized and the use of the collected cell is facilitated, thereby, when labeling a cell, the cell is labeled in the state where interaction of each cell is retained. In the labeling, a specific labeling material present on a surface of a target cell is taken in the cell via a transporter, and the cell is dispersed one by one to separate the same with a cell separator. Immediately after the separation, the cell is put in a solution not containing the specific labeling substance to remove the specific labeling substance taken in the cell. This series of steps is continuously conducted with a cell separation chip.

Abstract: A microchamber for culturing nerve cells which comprises cell-sized electrode arrays located on a transparent glass substrate, microchamber arrays of 10 ?m or more in thickness for aligning cells provided thereon, and a semipermeable membrane, which has such a pore size that the cells cannot pass therethrough and is optically transparent to focused beam, provided on the microchamber to coat it thereby blocking the leakage of the cells from the chamber. This microchamber is further provided with a unit of allowing the replacement of a solution in the solution replacing unit, wherein a culture liquor is circulated, on the upper face of the semipermeable membrane; a unit of continuously and optically monitoring changes in the conditions of the cells in the microchamber arrays; and a unit of continuously measuring potential changes in each nerve cell and a unit for combining the both units.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to reliably hold a computer-generated hologram 17 and a sample surface 18a in ideal design positions and to perform interference measurements on the surface shape of the sample surface 18a by holding the computer-generated hologram 17 in a predetermined attitude by using a retaining member, and interposing a spacer 45 between this retaining member and the object so that relative positioning of both the computer-generated hologram 17 and the sample surface 18a is performed. Light transmission type targets used for alignment are respectively disposed on the four corners of the frame body of the CGH 17 and the four corners of the measurement mirror 18, and the system is devised so that images of these targets can be obtained by an image focusing lens 43 and CCD camera 44, thus making it possible to check the adjustment of the alignment of the CGH 17 and sample surface 18a.

Abstract: A new micro-chamber is provided wherein a channel capable of selectively recovering a migrating cell in the micro-chamber can be opened or closed by reversibly changing the shape of the micro-chamber during culture. The micro-chamber comprises a cell culture section 110 formed in an elastic polymer which is optically transparent in visible regions, channels 108, 109 positioned at both ends of the cell culture section, air reservoir 105, 106 for controlling, by expansion or contraction, the open or close state of the channels, air passages 103, 104 for applying pressurization or depressurization to the air reservoirs, and connecting joints 101, 102 to an air pressure control section, all of which are disposed on an optically transparent base plate 112 such as a slide glass etc., whereby a culture solution containing cells can be continuously passed to a direction of flow 107.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell sorting device using an inexpensive chip capable of being exchanged for each sample for cell sorting. The cell sorting device uses flow paths formed on the substrate and has the following structure. The chip includes: a first flow path allowing a buffer fluid containing cells to flow down; second and third flow paths which put the first flow path therebetween and allow a buffer fluid not containing cells to flow down from both sides of the first flow path; a fourth flow path which allows the buffer fluid as a single flow path formed by the join of the buffer fluid in the first flow path and the buffer fluid in the second and third flow paths; a cell detecting region for detecting cells flowing with a buffer fluid down the fourth flow path; a cell sorting region for sorting the cells according to a type of the cells detected.

Abstract: On a glass plate being transparent at specified wavelengths there are provided a laminated region being absorptive at the specified wavelengths; means for applying voltage to the region, the region exhibiting electrical conductivity; means for binding nucleic acids onto the region; a container for accommodating cells on the region; means for culturing cells in the container; means for observing the cells; and means for effecting localized dissociation and recovery of nucleic acid components bound on the region by heat, the heat generated locally only in the vicinity of focused light by irradiating the region with focused light of the specified wavelengths. For clarifying the distribution of nucleic acid components in cells of specified condition or the distribution of nucleic acid components in each cell of a tissue cell mass there is provided means for selectively separating and recovering nucleic acid components of specified range in each cell of specified cellular condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a cell culture container having a cell culture region made of a hole formed on a substrate, a semi-permeable membrane covering a top plane of the cell culture region and a culture medium replacement part provided over the semi-permeable membrane, a mechanism for supplying a cell culture medium into the cell culture container, and a microscopic optical mechanism for enabling long-term observation of the cell within the cell culture region. This apparatus makes it possible to culture a cell group originating from a particular single cell, to perform culture and observation while identifying cells to be subjected to interaction during the process of culturing cells, and observe a difference in variation between the particular cell and other cells. There is also provided a mechanism which makes it possible to collect only a cell assuming a particular state and perform analysis or biochemical measurement of a gene of the cell, an expressed mRNA and the like.

Abstract: A cell sorting chip and a cell sorting technology are to be established which can positively detect and sort a specified cell for cell separation and detection using micro flow paths formed on a substrate, whereby a cell analyzing/sorting device is provided which uses an inexpensive disposable chip replaceable for each sample. To this end, micro flow paths formed on the substrate are formed, and cells are roughly sorted in a first stage and then finely sorted in a second stage. More specifically, cells are sorted roughly by using scattered light or according to intensity of luminescence in the first stage. In the second stage, the roughly sorted cells are sorted with high precision using image recognition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an inspection apparatus for cell reaction by a device for liquid processor, which can set a fluid running route to a cell reaction site required according to the kind of an inspection of a cell reaction to be conducted with a great degree of freedom, and an inspection method of a cell reaction using the inspection apparatus for cell reaction. The inspection apparatus for cell reaction is composed of a device for liquid processor comprising a base material, micro conduits formed in the base material, micro spaces, valves and a valve control mechanism, and is used in an inspection of a cell reaction, in which a liquid medium is fed through a micro conduit linked to a micro space, in which cells are placed, and a test liquid containing a cell stimulator is fed to inspect a cell reaction caused by the test liquid. The inspection method of the cell reaction utilizes the inspection apparatus having the construction described above.

Abstract: There is provided a processing apparatus and a processing method for micro-chamber for cell culture having a desired culturing space. The micro-chamber processing apparatus for cell culture of the present invention comprises a micro-chamber comprising no more than one absorption layer and at least one gel layer, in this order, laminated on a transparent base plate having no conspicuous absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and at least one light source, said absorption layer having absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and said gel-like material being a substance which has a gel dissolution temperature of 100 degree C.

Abstract: A cell separation apparatus comprises a means for moving a cell within a cell separating space by applying an electrical voltage to cells in the cell separating space using gel electrodes, and channels for separating and discharging the cell, which thus does not damage a cell sample and prevents the exhaustion of an electrode due to its electrolysis.

Abstract: Methods for the recovery of nucleic acids from a nucleic acid-containing material are provided, by which nucleic acids can be rapidly and easily recovered at a high purity without deteriorating the yield. The methods are composed of a step for promoting the release of nucleic acids from a nucleic acid-containing material, a step for mixing the released nucleic acids with an accelerator substance for the binding of nucleic acids to a solid phase, a step for making the mixture in contact with a solid phase bondable to nucleic acids, a step for isolating the solid phase from a liquid, a step for washing the solid phase with a solution containing a salt, and a step for eluting the nucleic acids from the solid phase. Accordingly, nucleic acids at a suitable purity for genetic tests or gene analyses can be rapidly and easily recovered without the use of hazardous substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting fusion gene transcripts resulting from chromosomal translocation. Specifically, the method of the present invention comprises allowing at least two or more probes, each of which contains a partial base sequence of exons which sandwich the breakpoint of a fusion gene or complementary base sequence thereof, and each of which immobilized on a support, to hybridize with a sample containing a nucleic acid derived from a fusion gene, thereby allowing the detection of two or more fusion genes at a time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring a micro area in a specimen in which a reagent necessary for observation and examination of a cell smear specimen or a tissue specimen is dropped to cause a reaction for a measurement and an analysis by way of an image. The apparatus includes: a micro reaction unit that is able to select a specific micro area in the specimen and to subject the specific micro area to a reaction-operation; a unit that measures; records and displays an image of the micro area; and a control unit that controls the measuring, recording, and displaying unit. Reactions can be effected quickly on such specimens as smear cell specimens and tissue slice specimens. The application of the reagent solution can be saved. A comparison between local presence of a gene or anti-body and a cell image can be made quickly and easily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for promoting bacterial proliferation for selectively proliferating Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, which includes a dextran. According to the present invention, a variety of biological activities originated from L. casei subsp. casei can be sustained in a living body by selectively growing-proliferating and colonizing L. casei subsp. casei in the intestine of a human being, animal, or the like or by selectively growing-proliferating L. casei subsp. casei in the intestine, without supplying L. casei subsp. casei at all times.

Abstract: A cell analysis and sorting apparatus, comprising a channel into which a fluid containing samples is introduced, the samples being introduced by a laminar flow into a sample-separating portion; a pair of fluid passages arranged symmetrically on both sides of the channel, a pair of streams of fluid that are made to meet in the sample-separating portion being introduced into the fluid passages; means for introducing an external force to the sample-separating portion only when an observed sample is discharged out of the sample-separating portion; a sample recovery channel disposed downstream of the channel into which the samples are introduced such that the fluid containing a sample selected from the sample-selecting portion flows out in a laminar flow; and a pair of fluid passages which are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the sample recovery channel and into which unwanted samples are discharged, whereby the collected samples can be prevented from being damaged by sorting the samples based on the micro