Abstract: A self-contained filtration assembly with a self-contained filtration cassette therein. The cassette may be formed from one or more layers membranes and spacers (spacers, screens, or combinations thereof) all having the same general shape. The cassette may have a feed inlet path and a retentate outlet path extending through the layers of the cassette within the perimeter of the cassette, and a permeate outlet path between the cassette exterior and the interior of the cassette housing. The housing may have a generally circular or elliptical cross-section. A clamping assembly may hold together the components of the housing, and may be elongated in a direction along the flow path of the feedstream through the cassette. Various port-defining zones defined in the layers of the cassette may be sealed in a manner facilitating assembly of the cassette as well as isolation of the flow paths therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a membrane to a substrate by heat-bonding the membrane to the substrate. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a receptacle therethrough. The membrane can be a porous support structure combined with a polymeric gel. The method includes the steps of inserting a mandrel into the receptacle, placing the membrane on the substrate across the receptacle, heating the membrane and substrate, and allowing the substrate to cool to provide heat-bonded interlock between the substrate and the membrane.

Abstract: A self-aliquoting dispensing unit for use with a multi-receptacle storage unit is provided including a lower plate having a plurality of access ports therethrough, wherein at least one of the access ports is in fluid communication with a microtube, an upper plate releasably attached to the lower plate, the upper plate including a sample port for supplying a sample to the dispensing unit, and a sealing member for forming a reversible fluid tight connection between the storage unit and the upper plate. An assembly for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit and a method for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit are also provided.

Abstract: Processes and apparati are provided for separating molecules of interest from a mixture by depth filtration (DF). The DF of the invention is useful in the clarification and processing of various feedstreams for the removal of a molecule of interest. According to a preferred embodiment, a transgenic milk feedstream is stabilized and particulate matter such as fat, casein miscelles and bacteria are removed. An aseptic filtration step was also developed to remove any bacteria remaining in a clarified transgenic milk feedstream.

Abstract: A filtration device having at least one filter packet and a retainer is described. The filter packet includes a membrane having at least a first opening therethrough. The filter packet further includes a retentate screen in fluid communication with the first side of the membrane and a filtrate screen in fluid communication with the second side. The retentate screen includes a permeable material and a seal around an outer perimeter of the permeable material. The permeable material has at least a feed port-defining zone in fluid communication with the first opening. The filtrate screen includes a permeable material and at least a feed port-defining zone in fluid communication with the first opening. The feed port-defining zone of the filtrate screen includes a seal around a perimeter thereof. The filtrate screen has a perimeter open to a filtrate collection area.

Abstract: Methods of purifying MSP-1 from a variety of source materials including from the milk of transgenic mammals.

Abstract: Processes and apparati are provided for separating molecules of interest from a mixture containing them which comprises subjecting the mixture to an improved method of high performance tangential flow filtration (HPTFF). The HPTFF of the invention was used to clarify, and process various feedstreams for the removal of a molecule of interest based on both the size and charge of the molecule of interest. According to a preferred embodiment, a transgenic milk feedstream is stabilized and particulate matter such as fat, casein miscelles and bacteria are removed. The method of HPTFF used in the current invention utilizes optimized process parameters that include temperature, trans-membrane pressure, molecular charge, molecular size, cross-flow velocity, and milk concentration. Cleaning and storage procedures were also developed to ensure long membrane life. An aseptic filtration step was also developed to remove any bacteria remaining in a clarified transgenic milk feedstream.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a membrane to a substrate by heat-bonding the membrane to the substrate. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a receptacle therethrough. The membrane can be a porous support structure combined with a polymeric gel. The method includes the steps of inserting a mandrel into the receptacle, placing the membrane on the substrate across the receptacle, heating the membrane and substrate, and allowing the substrate to cool to provide heat-bonded interlock between the substrate and the membrane.

Abstract: A self-aliquoting dispensing unit for use with a multi-receptacle storage unit is provided including a lower plate having a plurality of access ports therethrough, wherein at least one of the access ports is in fluid communication with a microtube, an upper plate releasably attached to the lower plate, the upper plate including a sample port for supplying a sample to the dispensing unit, and a sealing member for forming a reversible fluid tight connection between the storage unit and the upper plate. An assembly for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit and a method for dispensing a sample into a multi-receptacle storage unit are also provided.