Abstract: There is provided an analysis device comprising a gas phase and a liquid phase and at least one sensor, said sensor having at least one point where an analyte is detected, said at least point being in contact with the liquid phase, characterized in that the device comprises a membrane with a first and a second side, which membrane is in contact with the gas phase on at least a part of one side of the membrane and which membrane is in contact with the liquid phase on at least a part of the other side of the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises openings, and wherein the largest possible distance between any two openings in the membrane is larger than the distance between the membrane and the point where an analyte is detected, moreover there is provided a method for analyzing an analyte in a gas phase.

Abstract: A coated metal surface on a solid support, wherein the coating consists of a protein layer firmly attached to the metal surface, and said protein layer is coupled to linker molecules that are bound to low molecular weight antigens, wherein the linker molecules are coupled to the protein layer and are bound to the antigen via functional end groups and contain between the functional end groups an aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and wherein the antigens are optionally reversibly bound to antibodies specific for the antigens, is described. The coated metal surface on a solid support may be used in a method of detecting analyte antigens as part of an analysis device, such as a Piezoelectric Crystal Microbalance device or a Surface Plasmon Resonance biosensor, for detection in an aqueous solution of an analyte antigen with higher affinity to an antibody than the antigen of the coating by monitoring the displacement of the antibody from the coating.

Abstract: A system, device and method for detection of several individual analytes in a test solution aliquot (83) with an array of individually operated piezoelectric crystal microbalances are described. The system comprises a connecting station (100) that receives a plurality of individually specific piezoelectric crystal microbalance flow-trough cells (10), each containing a piezoelectric crystal (50) carrying electrodes (56,62) and a coating (66,46) exposing a first member of an interaction pair specific for an individual analyte being a second member of the interaction pair. Flowing means (70) flows a solution (75) and the test solution aliquot (83) to and through a cell compartment of each of the cells (10) via the connecting station (100). Power and measurement means (130) oscillate the piezoelectric crystal(s) (50). A change in oscillating characteristics of the crystal(s) (50), following interaction between the first and second members of the interaction pair, detects presence of the individual analyte(s).

Abstract: There is provided an analysis device comprising a gas phase and a liquid phase and at least one sensor, said sensor having at least one point where an analyte is detected, said at least point being in contact with the liquid phase, characterised in that the device comprises a membrane with a first and a second side, which membrane is in contact with the gas phase on at least a part of one side of the membrane and which membrane is in contact with the liquid phase on at least a part of the other side of the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises openings, and wherein the largest possible distance between any two openings in the membrane is larger than the distance between the membrane and the point where an analyte is detected, moreover there is provided a method for analysing an analyte in a gas phase.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for concentrating and transferring volatile compounds contained in a sample on a detachable solid support (12) into a liquid for subsequent detection and/or analysis of the volatile compounds, are described. The apparatus comprises a holder (14) for the solid support (12), means (16) for transporting the holder (14) to a heating position on a heatable plate (18), an enclosed space-creating arrangement comprising the heatable plate (18) attached to a movable housing (30), the holder (14), the solid support (12), a funnel (20) on the solid support (12), and inside the funnel (20) a chilled member (22), means inside the housing (30) for heating the heatable plate (18) to evaporate the volatile compounds which then are condensed on the chilled member (22), means (24) for transporting the chilled member (22) from a cooler (26) to the inside of the funnel (20) and from there to a position (28) where condensed compounds are removed from the chilled member (22) into a liquid.

Abstract: A medium is disclosed for embedding and preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification, comprising an aqueous solution of at least one water-soluble cellulose derivative and, optionally, an osmotic pressure stabilizing agent. A method for preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification using the above medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stimulating pancreatic cells to synthesize and/or excrete insulin comprises contacting insulin-producing cells, in particular their aqueous suspension, with a water-soluble cellulose derivative, in particular selected from alkylated, hydroxyalkylated, and alkylated-hydroxyalkylated cellulose or a mixture thereof. A medium for the culture of pancreatic &bgr;-cells contains an effective cell-stimulating amount of a cellulose derivative. It can be used to stimulate pancreatic &bgr;-cells to produce and/or excrete insulin. An apparatus for such stimulation comprises a container holding a solution of a cellulose derivative in an aqueous culture medium. Stimulation of pancreatic &bgr;-cells by a cellulose derivative is useful in the management of diabetes. Further preservative or therapeutic methods using the aqueous cellulose derivatives are disclosed.