Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring properties of a liquid contained in individual wells inside a multi-well array, the method comprising steps of providing capacitor electrodes in the multi-well array, the electrodes adapted to detect a capacitance value of each one of the individual wells without interference of neighboring wells, measuring a capacitance inside each one of the individual wells, and using the capacitance measurements to calculate at least one property of the liquid contained in each one of the individual wells. There is further provided an apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid contained in individual wells inside a multi-well array, and a method of controlling quality of liquid handling task that is repeated across a set of individual wells inside a multi-well array.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the identification of proteins with reduced redundancy in protein hits. The method eliminates protein hits that are described by peptides sets that are included in at least one other protein hit associated peptides set.

Abstract: A fluid handling system for parallel processing of a plurality of biological samples, the system comprising at least a first plate and a second plate which are stackable together and each include a plurality of corresponding apertures for receiving the biological samples. A biasing mechanism releasably connects the first and second modules together. The biasing mechanism includes at least one electromagnetic coupling element disposed in one of the first and second modules and at least one corresponding magnetic coupling element disposed in the other of the first and second modules. The electromagnetic coupling element is normally engaged to the magnetic coupling element and is disengageable therefrom when the electromagnetic coupling element is energized, such that the first and second modules are disengaged from one another.

Abstract: A parallel processing, fluid handling apparatus for concurrent temperature controlled preparation of a plurality of cell fraction samples adapted to be used for electron microscopic viewing. The apparatus comprises generally a sample receiving member, a fluid handling means, and a separation means. The sample receiving member comprises a plurality of discrete apertures each adapted to receive a biological sample therein. The fluid handling means for inserting and removing fluid to and from the plurality of apertures substantially in parallel, permits the biological samples to be processed substantially in parallel by the insertion and removal of processing fluid. The separation means permits the parallel isolated separation of the post-processing samples. The post-processing samples are adapted to be polymerized in embedding solution and removed from the sample receiving member.

Abstract: A parallel processing, fluid handling apparatus for concurrent temperature controlled preparation of a plurality of cell fraction samples adapted to be used for electron microscopic viewing. The apparatus comprises generally a sample receiving member, a fluid handling means, and a separation means. The sample receiving member comprises a plurality of discrete apertures each adapted to receive a biological sample therein. The fluid handling means for inserting and removing fluid to and from the plurality of apertures substantially in parallel, permits the biological samples to be processed substantially in parallel by the insertion and removal of processing fluid. The separation means permits the parallel isolated separation of the post-processing samples. The post-processing samples are adapted to be polymerized in embedding solution and removed from the sample receiving member.