Abstract: The invention provides a cell based method for the identification of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and/or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) modulators.

Abstract: Methods for transmission mode X-ray diffraction analysis of a sample by means of apparatuses comprising an X-ray radiation source that provides X-ray radiation for irradiating the sample and a detector for detecting X-ray radiation transmitted through and diffracted by the sample. The methods include: (a) placing a sample to be analyzed on a substrate, (b) generating X-ray radiation by means of an X-ray radiation source, (c) positioning the substrate and the sample in an initial position, (d) rotating the substrate and the sample with respect to the initial position around a rotation axis over a predetermined rotation angle, (e) tilting the substrate and the sample with respect to the initial position around a tilting axis over a tilting angle, (f) detecting with a detector the X-ray radiation transmitted through and diffracted by the sample during a time interval, and (g) analyzing the X-ray radiation that is detected.

Abstract: A separation device and a separation method for biomolecular sample material and in particular protein mixtures. For this purpose a separation element 10 for the two-dimensional and preferable electrophoretic separation of components of the sample material is provided in area 30 of a separation plane. According to the invention it is proposed that the separation element 10 has a channel or transfer structure 14 for the locally resolved discharge of separated sample components in a transport direction that is at right angles to the separation plane onto a support surface 16 that is preferably suitable for mass spectroscopic analyses.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for investigating a liquid sample in a sample tube, in particular a glass sample tube (12), has a sample bushing (1) surrounding the sample tube having a bore into which one end of the sample tube is inserted with tight fit. The sample bushing (1) is preferably substantially cylindrical and the bore extends along the cylindrical axis. The NMR spectrometer has a gripping device (13) for handling the sample bushing (1), the gripping device (13) having at least three gripping fingers (14a-14d), and the outer periphery of the sample bushing (1) has at least one groove (2) into which the gripping fingers (14a-14d) can engage to press onto the two outer edges of the groove (2) when the gripping device (13) is closed. The cooperation between the groove and the gripping device permits fully automated, precise handling of the samples.

Abstract: A microtiter plate for processing samples, having a liquid component or a liquid and a solid component or a liquid and a gel component, comprising: a single piece body which has an array of cavities, each cavity having an open upper end, a closed bottom end, and a bottom inner surface and comprises a first chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of a sample to be processed, a second chamber and a passage which fluidically connects the first and second chambers with each other, and a region in the lower part of passage adjacent to the bottom end of the cavity, the region so configured and dimensioned that it allows passage of liquid from one of said chambers to the other only when a centrifugal force is applied to the microtiter plate, but does not allow passage of any solid or gel component the size of which is larger than the width of the region.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for investigating a liquid sample in a sample tube, in particular a glass sample tube (12), has a sample bushing (1) surrounding the sample tube having a bore into which one end of the sample tube is inserted with tight fit. The sample bushing (1) is preferably substantially cylindrical and the bore extends along the cylindrical axis. The NMR spectrometer has a gripping device (13) for handling the sample bushing (1), the gripping device (13) having at least three gripping fingers (14a-14d), and the outer periphery of the sample bushing (1) has at least one groove (2) into which the gripping fingers (14a-14d) can engage to press onto the two outer edges of the groove (2) when the gripping device (13) is closed. The cooperation between the groove and the gripping device permits fully automated, precise handling of the samples.

Abstract: The separate gel pieces from a gel cutting (27), it is necessary firstly to determine the position of the gel piece, e.g., by means of a scanner, and after an interval, which frequently lasts for some hours, to pick the gel pieces from the gel cutting (27). The gel cutting (27) must be stored in a gel holder (21) during this interval in an expansion-stable and positionally stable manner. For this purpose, the gel cutting (27) is held in the gel holder, floating in an equilibrating liquid (31). The equilibrating liquid causes the dimensions of the gel cutting to remain unchanged during the interval. With respect to the gel holder (21) the gel cutting (27) can be definitively positioned in that it is cut out so as to fit exactly in a chamber (24) of the gel holder (21), possibly being slightly larger than the chamber, and/or is held by a clamping device firmly in the edge region which is generally of no significance for the evaluation.